NHRA officials announced a sellout crowd on Saturday at Gainesville Raceway to open its 75th anniversary season at the 57th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals.
The race kicks off the celebratory 2026 season and fans packed the legendary fanbase packed the legendary facility in Gainesville.
The massive crowd enjoyed two rounds of qualifying and the Right Trailers NHRA Top Fuel All-Star Callout to open the milestone campaign, which will celebrate 75 years of incredible NHRA action.
“It’s incredibly exciting to open NHRA’s 75th anniversary season with a sellout crowd at the first race of the season in Gainesville,” NHRA President Glen Cromwell said. “The Gatornationals has always been one of the most special events in our sport and a day like today to open such a memorable year is a tribute to the awesome NHRA fans.”
The opening weekend sellout to start NHRA’s 75th anniversary season comes on the heels of an action-packed 2025 that included six sellout crowds across the country.
Eliminations for the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals begin at 10 a.m. ET on Sunday at Gainesville Raceway.
This story was originally published on March 7, 2026. 
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