NHRA: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

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Questions over the timing of NHRA’s decision to open its Countdown at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park have intensified after Larry Morgan said IHRA made a good-faith offer for NHRA to stage an event at Maple Grove Raceway a day after the bombshell announcement that the series had purchased Maple Grove Raceway.

NHRA News / Competition Plus / December 15

NHRA ACCELERATES PLAYOFF SHIFT, TAPS U.S. 131 MOTORSPORTS PARK TO OPEN 2026 COUNTDOWN

NHRA will open the 2026 Countdown to the Championship with a first-time national event at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park, accelerating what was originally planned as a 2027 project following IHRA’s purchase of Maple Grove Raceway, the longtime site of a Countdown playoff event.

NHRA News / Competition Plus / December 12

IHRA ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION OF MAPLE GROVE RACEWAY

Never let it be said the International Hot Rod Association doesn’t know how to make a splash. At the close of the second day of the Performance Racing Industry Trade Show on Friday, Dec.

NHRA News / Competition Plus / December 12

VANDERGRIFF TO DRIVE CORNWELL TOOLS FUNNY CAR FOR JOHN FORCE RACING

Jordan Vandergriff will take over driving duties of John Force Racing’s Cornwell Tools Chevrolet SS Funny Car for the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season, giving the organization its newest full-time entry as it restructures for the coming year.

NHRA News / Competition Plus / December 11

NHRA CONFIRMS U.S. 131 MOTORSPORTS PARK ADDITION TO NORTH CENTRAL DIVISION

NHRA on Thursday confirmed a report first published Wednesday by CompetitionPlus.com, officially announcing that U.S. 131 Motorsports Park will join the NHRA Member Track Network as part of the North Central Division beginning in 2026.

NHRA News / Competition Plus / December 11

O’NEAL TO LEAD SOUTH GEORGIA MOTORSPORTS PARK AS NEW GENERAL MANAGER

South Georgia Motorsports Park has named Don O’Neal its new general manager, placing the U.S. Army veteran in charge of daily operations, racer and fan engagement, partner development, and long-term event planning.

NHRA News / Competition Plus / December 11

JOEY GLADSTONE TALKS ABOUT CORY REED’S BREAKOUT PRO STOCK SEASON IN 2025

When Cory Reed made the transition to a full-time Pro Stock driver, plenty of people had their doubts about what he could accomplish. Reed proved his doubters wrong.

NHRA News / Competition Plus / December 10

BROOKS TO LEAD BLUEBIRD TURF FUNNY CAR PROGRAM IN 2026

SCAG Racing has hired veteran tuner Aaron Brooks to serve as crew chief for the Bluebird Turf/Dave Richards Funny Car team as the organization prepares for the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series.

NHRA News / Competition Plus / December 10

RUMOR MILL: U.S. 131 MOVEMENT STIRS NEW SANCTIONING QUESTIONS

The movement of racetracks between sanctioning bodies appears far from finished. CompetitionPlus.com is hearing renewed rumblings that U.S. 131 Motorsports Park, long regarded as one of the crown jewels of Michigan-based facilities, may be the next piece on the board.

NHRA News / Competition Plus / December 10

PEDREGON ADDS REYNOLDS, KULLBERG TO 2026 FUNNY CAR OPERATION

Cruz Pedregon Racing added two familiar veterans to its 2026 Nitro Funny Car program with the return of Terrance “Rip” Reynolds and Chris “Warrior” Kullberg.

NHRA News / Competition Plus / December 9

BUDDY HULL RETURNS TO TEAM OWNERSHIP FOR 2026 NHRA SEASON

Buddy Hull will return to NHRA team ownership in 2026, launching a new chapter under the Hull Racing banner after parting ways with Jim Dunn Racing. Hull said he will compete full-time in Funny Car beginning at the NHRA Gatornationals, scheduled for March 6-8 at Gainesville Raceway.

NHRA News / Competition Plus / December 9

NITRO IN THE BLOOD: HOW THE CAPPS FAMILY TURNED SIBLING RIVALRY INTO A LIFETIME PURSUIT

And just to think, some people believe sibling rivalry is something kids grow out of. Clearly, no one who believes that ever met the sons of John Lee and Betty Capps.

NHRA News / Competition Plus / December 8

TEN COMPELLING STORYLINES FROM THE 2024-25 AUSSIE DRAG RACING SEASON , PT. 1

10. TWO-TIME TOP FUEL CHAMPION PETER XIBERRAS QUITS – Sydney team owner-driver Peter Xiberras stunned the tight-knit Aussie drag community when he announced he was stepping away from racing after winning Round Three at the Perth Motorplex in March.

NHRA News / Competition Plus / December 7

STAFFORD TO PILOT ICONIC CALIFORNIA HUSTLER NOSTALGIA FUNNY CAR IN 2026

Eily Stafford will become one of the most visible new faces in nostalgia nitro after being selected to drive Don Nelson’s famed California Hustler Funny Car, a move believed to make her the first female Nostalgia Funny Car driver in the NHRA Heritage Series.

NHRA News / Competition Plus / December 7

THE TEN – SNOWBIRD OUTLAW NATIONALS EDITION – BRADENTON, FLA.

Competition Plus’ Water-Cooler Topics From The Snowbird Outlaw Nationals from Bradenton, Fla.. 1 – HARRIS CAPTURES SNOWBIRD TITLE – Jason Harris closed out a dominant weekend by winning the Snowbird Outlaw Nationals presented by Motion Raceworks on Saturday night at Bradenton Motorsports Park, one day after qualifying No.