NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

The Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, which takes place March 5-8 at Gainesville Raceway, will once again kick off for fans at Burnyzz Speed Shop, March 4, with the Gatornationals FanFest hosted by NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Top Fuel driver Josh Hart and wife Brittanie Hart.

In advance of NHRA’s 75th Anniversary season kickoff, NHRA is joining Ocala, Fla.-based Top Fuel driver for John Force Racing and 2021 Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals Top Fuel winner Hart by hosting the 4th annual Gatornationals FanFest. The free event will run from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at Burnyzz Speed Shop. It will feature a massive car show, live music, food trucks, and a driver autograph session from 7-8:30 p.m. that will include current NHRA Mission Food Drag Racing Series stars as well as former Gatornationals winners.

“Every year Brittanie and our Burnyzz Speed Shop team do a great job organizing the FanFest, and I love showing off Burnyzz Speed Shop,” said Hart. “The Gatornationals is one of the most historic motorsports events in the country, and we are excited to have it in our backyard. I am looking forward to showing our shop to some of my new John Force Racing teammates and getting that second Gatornationals win. I want to thank everyone at Burnyzz Speed Shop for supporting this great event.”

Drivers and former Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals winners who are scheduled to appear include NHRA legend Don “Big Daddy” Garlits, Hart, John Force Racing’s Jack Beckman, Jordan Vandergriff, and Alexis DeJoria, as well as Top Fuel’s Justin Ashley, racing legend Tony Stewart, 2025 NHRA Rookie of the Year Spencer Hyde, Pro Stock Motorcycle reigning world champ Richard Gadson, Tony Schumacher, Jasmine Salinas, Ida Zetterstrom, former winners Darrell Gwynn, David Grubnic, Frank Hawley, and Jim Yates, as well as other stars of the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series.

In addition, NHRA will have the specialty Gatornationals trophies on display for fans, and there will be several ticket giveaways for car show participants and fans.

Last year, Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Chad Green (Funny Car), Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock), and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all won on the hallowed grounds of Gainesville Raceway to open the year. This year’s race will again be broadcast on FS1, including eliminations at 12 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 8.

This year promises to be one of the biggest races in Gatornationals history. Along with a full slate of racing, fans can expect a multitude of events to celebrate the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals and NHRA’s 75th Anniversary, including:

•    Appearances from NHRA legends like Garlits, Don Prudhomme, Kenny Bernstein, Shirley Muldowney, Darrell Gwynn, Joe Amato, and Bob Frey
•    A celebration of Bernstein’s historic 300-mph run from 1992
•    A free, limited-edition NHRA 2026 season poster to the first 6,500 fans in attendance on Sunday
•    A new-look Nitro Mall, special displays and a 75th anniversary stage in Nitro Alley

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying features two rounds at 1:30 and 4 p.m. ET on Friday, March 6, and the final two qualifying rounds on Saturday, March 7 at 12:30 and 3 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 10 a.m. ET on Sunday, March 8.

To purchase tickets to the 2026 Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, including upgraded experiences in the Gainesville Top Eliminator Club, fans can visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. Children 12 and under are free in general admission areas with the purchase of an adult ticket.