NHRA Finals 2026 at Pomona: Race Schedule, Tickets, and Drivers

The final race of the drag racing season is always special. But November 2026 in Pomona carries extra meaning. This is where the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season ends. It is where champions will be crowned, rivalries will be settled, and one of the most thrilling weekends in motorsport history will unfold at the In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip.

Whether you are a longtime fan or attending for the very first time, this guide covers everything you need to know. From dates and ticket options to the drivers to watch and the fan experience awaiting you, here is your complete preview of the 61st annual In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals.

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The Event at a Glance

The 61st annual In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals will take place from Thursday, November 12, through Sunday, November 15, 2026. The venue is the In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, located at 1801 West McKinley Avenue in Pomona, California.

This event marks the final race of a 20-race season that celebrates the 75th anniversary of the National Hot Rod Association. It is the sixth and deciding race of the Countdown to the Championship playoff. Whatever points gaps exist heading into Pomona, they will be closed by Sunday afternoon. Champions in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle will all be determined over these four days.

Additionally, the Finals at Pomona award bonus points for qualifying positions, meaning that even how a team qualifies matters. The pressure begins the moment teams arrive in Southern California.

Why Pomona Is the Perfect Final Chapter

Pomona has hosted the NHRA season finale for decades. There is a reason for that. The In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip sits within the Los Angeles County Fairplex, surrounded by the San Gabriel Mountains. November in Southern California brings cool, dense air. That air is ideal for drag racing. Engines breathe better, reaction times sharpen, and cars run faster.

The track itself is renowned for its surface quality. Drivers can push their machines to the very edge because they trust the track beneath them. This combination of ideal weather, a world-class facility, and championship stakes makes Pomona unlike any other stop on the calendar.

Furthermore, the venue has a deep history. Legends have won here, records have been broken here, and entire careers have been defined here. Walking through the gates at Pomona means stepping into one of drag racing’s most storied venues.

Race Schedule: Day by Day

Understanding how the weekend flows helps fans get the most out of every day. Here is what to expect across the four days.

Thursday, November 12, serves as the opening day. Sportsman racers take the track in the morning for time trials and qualifying. The Midway opens, vendors set up, and fans begin exploring the pits. This day is perfect for getting a feel for the venue and watching support class action.

Friday, November 13, brings the first official qualifying sessions for the four professional categories. Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle drivers all make their first passes down the quarter-mile. Team crew chiefs chase the setup, and the leaderboard begins to take shape. The atmosphere builds considerably on this day.

Saturday, November 14, is the second and final round of professional qualifying. Teams know their positions after this day. Nitro Alley buzzes with activity, drivers appear at meet-and-greet sessions on stage, and fan activities run throughout the afternoon. This is also when many of the sportsman classes hold their final elimination rounds.

Sunday, November 15, is championship day. Gates open early for the final round of eliminations. Sixteen teams in each professional class compete in a single-elimination bracket until one winner remains in each category. By late afternoon, four new champions or defending champions will be confirmed.

Tickets: What You Need to Know

Getting your tickets early is strongly recommended. The Finals consistently draws large crowds, and the best seating options go quickly.

General admission tickets for the event start at around 80 dollars per day and provide access to the grandstands and the full Midway experience. These seats offer solid views of the starting line and the quarter-mile strip. Additionally, every ticket to this event includes pit pass access, which is one of the most valuable features of attending an NHRA race. You can walk through the working pits, watch crew members prepare the cars, and get close enough to touch the equipment.

Reserved grandstand seats offer more comfort and consistent sightlines. Tower and VIP box options are available for fans who want premium viewing angles, climate-controlled spaces, and enhanced amenities. Weekend packages are worth considering if you plan to attend more than one day, as they typically provide better value than purchasing individual day tickets.

Tickets can be purchased directly through the official NHRA website at nhra.com, or through authorized secondary ticket platforms. General parking costs around 12 dollars. Upgraded pit parking and tailgating options are also available at a higher rate. Arriving early on each day is advisable, as parking lots and entry gates can become congested before sessions begin.

Drivers to Watch in 2026

The 2026 season has produced one of the most competitive championship battles in recent memory. As the field heads to Pomona for the final showdown, several drivers stand out.

In Top Fuel, Austin Prock has led the standings for much of the second half of the season. Racing for Force Competition Motorsports, Prock has been remarkably consistent in elimination rounds, which is exactly where championships are won and lost. Doug Kalitta, the reigning champion and a Pomona specialist, enters the finale as a serious threat. Shawn Langdon and Josh Hart are also within striking distance. At this stage of the season, four drivers could realistically leave Pomona as Top Fuel world champion.

In Funny Car, Matt Hagan has been the dominant force in 2026. The four-time world champion is chasing another title and arrives at Pomona with significant momentum. Ron Capps, one of the most experienced drivers in the sport, has never been far behind. Jordan Vandergriff has impressed throughout the season as a breakout performer. J.R. Todd, driving for Kalitta Motorsports, rounds out the contenders who could claim the Funny Car crown.

Pro Stock has seen Dallas Glenn lead the standings for much of the season, but six-time world champion Greg Anderson is making his familiar late-season charge. Anderson has won at Pomona more times than any other driver in Pro Stock history. His knowledge of this track is an advantage that cannot be measured in horsepower alone. Erica Enders and Greg Stanfield are also in the mix heading into the final race.

Pro Stock Motorcycle will deliver its own suspense. Gaige Herrera and Richard Gadson have traded the points lead throughout the season, and both are expected to arrive at Pomona ready for a final four-round showdown.

The Fan Experience at Pomona

Attending the NHRA Finals at Pomona is unlike almost any other sporting event. The closeness of the action is the first thing that strikes new fans. You are not watching from half a mile away. You are feet from cars that accelerate to over 330 miles per hour in less than four seconds.

The sound is another element that stays with you. A pair of nitro-burning Top Fuel dragsters launching off the starting line produces well over 150 decibels of noise. Ear protection is essential. Track vendors sell earplugs throughout the venue, and many experienced fans bring their own. Do not skip this step.

Nitro Alley is one of the most popular attractions within the venue. This is where team merchandise, branded gear, automotive products, and fan experiences are concentrated. It runs alongside the pit area and connects the midway to the staging lanes. Walking through Nitro Alley gives you a sense of the sheer scale of an NHRA event.

The pits themselves are open to all ticket holders. This is genuinely remarkable for a major professional motorsport event. You can walk up to a Top Fuel team’s workspace, watch the crew rebuild an engine between rounds, and sometimes catch a driver stopping to sign autographs or pose for photos. There are driver meet-and-greet sessions scheduled on the Nitro Alley stage across the weekend, so check the daily schedule when you arrive to plan accordingly.

Fans are encouraged to bring backpacks with water and snacks. Small bags, cameras, and seat cushions are generally permitted. Large coolers, glass containers, and outside alcohol are typically restricted. Comfortable footwear matters because the venue is large and you will be on your feet for most of the day.

Watching From Home

Not everyone can make it to Pomona in person. However, the 2026 season is broadcast exclusively on FOX Sports, with select events airing on the main FOX broadcast network. Check the FOX Sports television schedule for specific broadcast windows covering qualifying and the elimination rounds on Sunday. The NHRA also provides live timing information through its official website and app, so fans anywhere in the world can follow along in real time.

A Season-Long Journey Ends Here

Twenty races. Tens of thousands of miles. Countless qualifying runs and elimination rounds. The 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series began in Gainesville, Florida, in March and has traveled to racetracks across the country since. It all ends in Pomona.

For the drivers, crew chiefs, and team owners who have chased this season from the very first race, November 15 is the finish line. For fans, it is the moment everything they have followed and debated and celebrated comes to a final, definitive conclusion at the Christmas Tree on one of drag racing’s most famous tracks.

Conclusion

The NHRA Finals 2026 at Pomona is the must-see motorsport event of the American autumn. Running from November 12 to 15, 2026, at the In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Pomona, California, the 61st annual Finals will crown champions in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle. Austin Prock, Matt Hagan, Greg Anderson, and a stacked field of playoff contenders will bring everything they have to the iconic quarter-mile. Tickets start at around 80 dollars and include pit pass access, putting fans closer to the action than they could experience at almost any other professional sport. Whether you attend in person under the San Gabriel Mountains or watch on FOX Sports from home, this is four days of drag racing at its absolute best. Do not miss it.

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, with the championship elimination rounds on Sunday. Sportsman classes compete throughout the week beginning on Thursday.

Where is the event held?

The race takes place at the In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, located at 1801 West McKinley Avenue in Pomona, California. The track sits within the Los Angeles County Fairplex grounds, making it accessible from much of the greater Los Angeles area.

How much do tickets cost and where can I buy them?

Tickets start at approximately 80 dollars for general admission day passes. Weekend packages, reserved seats, VIP boxes, and pit parking upgrades are also available. Tickets can be purchased through the official NHRA website at nhra.com or through authorized secondary ticket sellers. Buying early is recommended to secure preferred seating.

Which drivers are competing for the championship in 2026?

In Top Fuel, Austin Prock, Doug Kalitta, Shawn Langdon, and Josh Hart are among the top contenders. In Funny Car, Matt Hagan leads, with Ron Capps and Jordan Vandergriff in pursuit. Pro Stock features a battle between Dallas Glenn and Greg Anderson. Pro Stock Motorcycle is set for a close finish between Gaige Herrera and Richard Gadson.

Is the event suitable for families and first-time attendees?

Yes. The NHRA Finals at Pomona is very family-friendly and widely considered one of the most accessible events in professional motorsport. Every ticket includes pit pass access, which means fans of all ages can walk through the working pits, see the cars up close, and sometimes meet drivers. Ear protection is strongly recommended for all attendees, especially children. The venue has food options, vendor areas, and fan activities spread across the grounds throughout each day.