JOSH HART SHATTERS
THE BARRIER
Top Fuel qualifier Josh Hart laid down a blistering 340 mph pass at Gainesville Raceway — making history at the 2026 NHRA Gatornationals season opener. Pure nitromethane fury.
FOUR WAYS TO RACE
TOP FUEL
Nitromethane-powered dragsters, 0-330 mph in under 3.7 seconds. The pinnacle of drag racing.
FUNNY CAR
Aerodynamic body over a Top Fuel chassis. Ron Capps & Tony Stewart lead the pack.
PRO STOCK
Naturally aspirated V8 engines. Cody Coughlin chases the championship.
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE
Two-wheel thunder. Angie Smith pushing the limits at 200+ mph.
FEATURED DRIVERS
Vote for your favorite driver at the 2026 Gatornationals. Show your support.
Josh Hart
Tony Stewart
Ron Capps
Cody Coughlin
Angie Smith
Brittany Force
2026 QUALIFYING HIGHLIGHTS
RACE NEWS
Josh Hart Hits 340 MPH — A New Standard
In a run that will be talked about for years, Josh Hart thundered down the Gainesville strip at a record-shattering 340 mph. The nitromethane-fueled pass redefined what's possible at the 2026 Gatornationals season opener.
Ron Capps Sets the Tone in Q1 Qualifying
Ron Capps wasted no time reminding the field who's in charge, posting the quickest Funny Car time in Q1 at Gainesville. His Don Schumacher Racing entry looked ominous from the moment the chutes deployed.
Tony Stewart's NHRA Debut Turns Heads at Gainesville
Racing legend Tony Stewart made his highly anticipated NHRA Funny Car debut at the Gatornationals. The NASCAR Hall of Famer brought the crowd to its feet and proved he's no stranger to going fast in any machine.
Angie Smith Targets Back-to-Back Victories
Pro Stock Motorcycle standout Angie Smith arrived at Gainesville hungry for another trophy. After a dominant 2025 campaign, she's positioned her S&S-powered bike to strike from the very first qualifying round.
Cody Coughlin Eyes Championship Momentum
Cody Coughlin enters the Gatornationals with championship aspirations burning bright. The Pro Stock contender posted strong test numbers at Gainesville and says the team's combination is better than ever heading into 2026.
2026 Season Opener: What to Watch at the Gatornationals
From Josh Hart's record-breaking passes to Tony Stewart's star-powered debut, the 2026 NHRA Gatornationals has everything. Here's a full breakdown of the storylines, matchups, and first-round predictions ahead of race weekend.
GAINESVILLERACEWAY
Pro tip: Arrive early for pit passes — get up close to the nitromethane machines and meet the crews before eliminations.