The countdown is almost over. The engines are ready. The entire drag racing world has its eyes locked on one place and one moment. From November 12 to 15, 2026, the In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California will host the most thrilling four days in motorsport. World champions will be crowned, records will be chased, and history will be made on one of the most iconic race surfaces in the sport.
Whether you are a lifelong drag racing fan or attending your first live race, this guide covers everything you need to know before you arrive.
Why the 2026 Season Is Unlike Any Other
The 2026 racing season is a milestone year. The National Hot Rod Association is celebrating its 75th anniversary, and the entire season has been built around that achievement. The year began at the Gatornationals in Gainesville, Florida, and it concludes at the annual season finale in Pomona. In between, 20 events have taken place across the country, delivering some of the most competitive and emotionally charged racing in the sport’s long history.
NHRA President Glen Cromwell called 2026 one of the most exciting years in the organization’s history. The series expanded to two brand-new facilities, added new energy to established events, and introduced Diamond Wally trophies for every class champion, a nod to the 75th anniversary milestone. Therefore, when the final four days arrive in Pomona, they carry the weight of an entire anniversary season behind them.
All 20 events in the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series air exclusively on FOX Sports, with select events on the main FOX broadcast network and others on FS1.
The Venue: In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip
Located at 1801 W. McKinley Avenue in Pomona, California, the In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip sits within the LA County Fairplex at an elevation of 1,100 feet. It is one of the most storied drag strips in the world. The San Gabriel Mountains frame the backdrop, and the cool November air creates ideal conditions for fast runs and record-chasing performances.
The facility is spacious and fan-friendly. Grandstands offer excellent sightlines up and down the racing surface. The open pit area allows fans to get close to the cars, the crews, and the drivers themselves. Additionally, the track’s cool autumn conditions have historically produced some of the quickest elapsed times of the entire season, which makes this particular event even more exciting from a performance standpoint.
For those traveling from outside Southern California, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Ontario International Airport (ONT) are both within reasonable driving distance. The Fairplex is accessible by road, and parking is available on-site for event ticketholders.
Event Schedule: Day-by-Day Breakdown
Understanding how the event is structured helps you get the most out of your visit. Here is a clear look at what happens across the four days.
Thursday, November 12, serves as the official opening day of the event. This day typically includes track preparation, early pit access, and the beginning of team activity. It is a great opportunity to walk the pits, see the cars up close, and soak in the atmosphere before competitive action begins.
Friday, November 13, is the first qualifying day. Qualifying sessions allow each team to make timed runs on the race surface. The results from these sessions determine lane choice and seeding heading into eliminations. Watching qualifying is one of the best ways to experience raw speed without the pressure-cooker tension of race day.
Saturday, November 14, is the second and final qualifying day. Teams make additional runs to improve their positions in the bracket. Saturday sessions are often when drivers push hardest, knowing it is their last chance to lock in a favorable starting position before eliminations begin.
Sunday, November 15, is race day. This is the day everything is decided. Eliminations begin in the morning and continue through the afternoon, with the world championship finals in all four professional classes concluding on this final day of the season. The atmosphere on Sunday is unlike anything else in motorsport. Every pass is potentially the last of the season, and the pressure is immense.
The Four Championship Classes
The drama of the season finale centers on four professional racing classes, each of which will crown a world champion on Sunday.
Top Fuel is the fastest class in drag racing. These cars run on a specialized nitromethane-based fuel and can cover the 1,000-foot race distance in less than 3.7 seconds while reaching speeds exceeding 330 miles per hour. The sound alone is enough to stop your heart. Top Fuel dragsters are the pinnacle of what is mechanically possible in a straight-line racing machine.
Funny Car is the second of the two nitro classes. These cars are built on a shorter wheelbase than Top Fuel dragsters and feature a carbon fiber body styled loosely after a production automobile. They race the same 1,000-foot distance and reach similarly staggering speeds. The Funny Car class has a storied tradition at Pomona, and the 2026 season even marked a major Funny Car milestone earlier in the year at the Winternationals.
Pro Stock is known as the “class of champions.” These are the most highly engineered naturally aspirated race cars in the world. Powered by purpose-built engines displacing over 500 cubic inches, Pro Stock cars run in the six-second range and regularly exceed 210 miles per hour. The competition in this class tends to be extremely close, with races often decided by thousandths of a second.
Pro Stock Motorcycle brings two-wheeled drama to the race. These purpose-built drag bikes cover the 1,000-foot course in the six-second range at speeds pushing 200 miles per hour. The class features a dedicated and passionate fan base, and the championship battles have been some of the most intense in the entire series.
The Countdown to the Championship
The final stretch of the season is known as the Countdown to the Championship. This six-race playoff format resets the points standings for the top ten competitors in each professional class at the start of the playoff period. Every driver enters the Countdown with a realistic shot at the title.
In 2026, the Countdown opened with back-to-back races at two venues making their first playoff appearances: U.S. 131 Motorsports Park and Rockingham Dragway. The playoffs then moved through Texas, Las Vegas, and finally Pomona. Each race in the Countdown carries heightened importance. A single round loss can shift the points battle dramatically. A strong weekend can swing the entire championship in one driver’s favor.
The Pomona finale is the last race of the Countdown. Whatever happens here is final. There are no more opportunities to recover. The pressure on every driver, crew chief, and team member is extraordinary, and that pressure is exactly what makes watching this event so compelling.
Additionally, the 2026 season restored the regular-season championship, a separate title awarded to the points leader in each professional class at the conclusion of the U.S. Nationals, before the Countdown resets. Winners in Top Fuel and Funny Car receive a bonus of approximately 150,000 dollars. This created meaningful competition throughout all 14 regular-season events rather than teams simply positioning themselves for the Countdown reset.
Drivers to Watch in Pomona
Several storylines are heading into the 2026 season finale that make the championship battles particularly compelling.
In Top Fuel, Doug Kalitta has had a dominant run through the Countdown to the Championship. He is on the verge of securing his second world title in three years. Kalitta claimed his first championship in dramatic fashion at Pomona in 2025, and returning to that same venue for a potential second title adds a layer of emotional weight to his campaign. Other top contenders include Tony Schumacher, Antron Brown, and Justin Ashley, all of whom have multiple Pomona wins to their names.
First-year Top Fuel driver Maddi Gordon has been one of the compelling stories of the entire season. At just 21 years old, the driver for Ron Capps Motorsports reached the semifinals in her debut at the Gatornationals and won her first career race at Norwalk. Her Pomona performance will be one of the most closely watched of the entire event.
In Pro Stock, Greg Anderson and Dallas Glenn have battled all season. Anderson is the winningest active driver at the Pomona facility, having claimed his 16th win there in 2025. Glenn, however, won the world championship that same year. Their rivalry heading into 2026 has continued to be one of the defining narratives of the season.
Tickets: How to Get In
Tickets for the 2026 season finale in Pomona are available through the official NHRA website at nhra.com. General admission, reserved grandstand seats, and premium options are all available. One of the best value policies in all of motorsport applies here: children 12 and under are admitted free in general admission areas when accompanied by a paying adult.
VIP passes and premium packages are worth considering if you want behind-the-scenes access, hospitality areas, or guaranteed seating near the start line. These options sell out in advance, so purchasing early is strongly recommended. Resale tickets are also available through platforms like Vivid Seats, which offers verified inventory.
Gate opening times are generally several hours before the first scheduled session. Arriving early gives you time to explore the midway, visit sponsor displays, and find your seats before qualifying or eliminations begin. Allowed items typically include small bags, cameras, seat cushions, and sealed water bottles. Always check the official venue website for the most current policy before arriving.
The Fan Experience at Pomona
One of the greatest advantages of attending a drag race in person is access to the pit area. At Pomona, the pits are open to ticket holders throughout the event. Walking through the pits means getting within arm’s reach of the actual race cars. You can watch crews make engine adjustments, smell the nitromethane fuel, and even speak with drivers and team members in casual moments between sessions.
The Christmas Tree, which is the light system that signals the start of each race, is hypnotic to watch in person. When both drivers stage their cars and the amber lights cascade downward before the green light fires, the anticipation is nearly unbearable. Then the cars launch, and the experience becomes purely physical. The sound and shockwave from two nitro cars leaving the line simultaneously is something that cannot be replicated through a screen.
Between rounds, food vendors, merchandise stands, and sponsor activations are spread throughout the Fairplex grounds. The setting is enhanced by mountains visible in the distance. The cool November air makes the event extremely comfortable for spectators. Additionally, the evening sessions on qualifying days create an electric atmosphere. Track lighting adds a dramatic visual environment that photographs beautifully.
Watching From Home
If you cannot make the trip to Southern California, the entire event is broadcast on FOX Sports. Check the official FOX Sports schedule as the event approaches for the specific channel assignments and air times for qualifying sessions and the Sunday eliminations broadcast. The NHRA website and social channels also provide live timing, results, and updates throughout the weekend.
Conclusion
The In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals at Pomona will take place from November 12 to 15, 2026. It marks the culmination of the most significant season in the sport’s 75-year history. Four professional classes and four world championships will be decided during the event. Decades of NHRA tradition will converge at one Southern California race strip for the final four days of the season. The Countdown to the Championship playoff structure ensures that every driver arrives in Pomona with genuine motivation. It also means that every racer has something significant on the line.
Fans can follow Doug Kalitta’s pursuit of a second Top Fuel title or watch 21-year-old Maddi Gordon’s remarkable rookie season unfold. For those experiencing the raw power of nitro drag racing for the first time, Pomona in November is the place to be. Book your tickets early, plan your trip, and prepare for one of the greatest weekends in all of motorsport.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the NHRA Finals 2026 at Pomona?
The event runs from Thursday, November 12, through Sunday, November 15, 2026. Qualifying takes place on Friday and Saturday, and the championship eliminations are held on Sunday, November 15.
Where is the event held?
The race takes place at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, located at 1801 W. McKinley Avenue in Pomona, California, within the LA County Fairplex. The venue sits at an elevation of 1,100 feet and is accessible from both Los Angeles International Airport and Ontario International Airport.
How do I buy tickets?
Tickets are available directly through the official NHRA website at nhra.com. Options include general admission, reserved grandstands, and premium VIP packages. Children 12 and under are admitted free in general admission areas when accompanied by a paying adult. Secondary market platforms also carry verified ticket inventory.
Which racing classes compete at the event?
Four professional classes compete for world championships: Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle. Each class holds qualifying sessions on Friday and Saturday, with elimination rounds deciding the world champion in each category on Sunday.
Where can I watch if I cannot attend in person?
All races in the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, including the Pomona finale, are broadcast exclusively on FOX Sports. Some sessions air on the main FOX network, while others appear on FS1. Check the official FOX Sports schedule as the event approaches for specific timing and channel details.
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Jeff Gordon is an accomplished writer with expertise in the basics of car accessories. With a keen eye for detail, Jeff has established himself as an authority on the subject, with a passion for all things automotive. Based in Jasper, Jeff is dedicated to providing readers with the information they need to make informed decisions when it comes to their car accessories.
