A Mammoth Announcement: Maryland International Raceway Added To NHRA Lineup For 2026

The National Hot Rod Association has made a tremendous announcement, adding the Maryland International Raceway, hosting the inaugural Potomac Nationals on May 29-31, 2026. This marks the first time an NHRA national event has graced the Old Line State, which is frankly shocking considering the drag racing culture that’s been brewing there for decades.

Maryland’s Long-Overdue NHRA Debut

Here’s the thing that’ll make you shake your head: Maryland International Raceway has been sitting in Mechanicsville since 1966, patiently waiting for this moment. The Miller family has owned and operated this track since 1989, watching other venues get the royal treatment while they perfected their craft in relative obscurity.

Track owner Royce Miller put it best during the announcement at Indianapolis: “We were an NHRA track the first two years I had the track. Now, I’m proud to be able to say we have taken the track to a level that we can host an NHRA national event.”

What Makes This Maryland Move So Significant

NHRA President Glen Cromwell isn’t just blowing smoke when he talks about exploring new markets. The Washington, D.C. metro area represents untapped potential that’s been staring the organization in the face for years. The timing couldn’t be more perfect – or more patriotic. The Potomac Nationals will coincide with NHRA’s 75th anniversary celebration and the 250th anniversary of the United States. Given Maryland’s proximity to D.C., expect some serious red, white, and blue pageantry.

Miller’s Racing Pedigree Adds Credibility

Here’s where the story gets good: Royce Miller isn’t some suit who stumbled into track ownership. This guy has walked the walk. He’s got an NHRA Super Comp victory in Montreal in 1989 and multiple championships in the NHRA Summit E.T. Racing Series.

Miller dropped perhaps the best line of the entire announcement: “You know when someone does something special and they just drop the mic? I’ve attended one NHRA national event in all the years that I raced. I won that race and never ran another because I ended up buying the track.”

The Fan Response Says It All

The reaction from Maryland drag racing fans has been nothing short of electric. Miller shared that within a week of the announcement, people were already approaching him about tickets. “I’ve already had guys come up and say to me, ‘Hey, I’ve already got my tickets. Thank you for bringing the Nationals to Maryland,'” he said.

This isn’t surprising when you consider the passionate drag racing community that’s been underserved in the region. These fans have been making pilgrimages to other venues for years, waiting for their home-state moment to arrive.

Why This Move Makes Perfect Sense Now

The NHRA has been playing it safe for too long, recycling the same venues while potential goldmines like Maryland sat on the sidelines. The organization’s willingness to finally branch out suggests they’re serious about growth – and about time.

Maryland International Raceway’s location near Washington, D.C. opens up a massive metropolitan area that’s been criminally overlooked. The track’s history, combined with Miller’s racing credentials and obvious passion for the sport, creates the perfect storm for success. Sometimes the best things are worth the wait. For Maryland drag racing fans, that wait is almost over.