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NAPA AUTO PARTS NHRA MIDWEST NATIONALS IN ST. LOUIS SET FOR FOOTBALL ADJACENT BROADCAST ON FOX
MADISON, Ill. (Sept. 28, 2026) – One of the biggest races in NHRA’s Countdown to the Championship playoffs will also get a major spotlight on FOX, as the 15th annual NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals at World Wide Technology Raceway will air on FOX adjacent to a FOX football broadcast on Sunday, Oct. 4.
It’s the sixth straight year a race in NHRA’s postseason will be broadcast on FOX adjacent to a football game, but it marks the first time the standout St. Louis stop, which is the third of six races in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs, will air in the broadcast window.
This unique opportunity with FOX has led to massive audiences on the national broadcast network, including last year at Texas Motorplex in Dallas, when NHRA enjoyed the biggest viewership in its history with 2.065 million viewers and an impressive peak audience of 3.631 million.
The majority of markets on Sunday, Oct. 4, will see NHRA action from St. Louis following football broadcasts early in the day. Those markets will air the NHRA playoff race from 4:30-6:30 p.m. ET following the football on FOX game, while some markets will air NHRA coverage from 2-4 p.m. ET, leading directly into football on FOX action.
The broadcast will showcase a popular stop in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs, as the NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals has consistently drawn sellout crowds to the fan-favorite World Wide Technology Raceway.
The premier stop on the NHRA tour during its 75th anniversary season will feature some of the fastest runs of the year from the incredible 12,000-horsepower, 340-mph Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars, starting with two qualifying sessions on Friday, including a can’t-miss night session under the lights to start the weekend in style.
The event continues with two qualifying sessions on Saturday and eliminations on Sunday, featuring a special 9 a.m. CT start time to position the event for its marquee broadcast window on FOX.
Last season, Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) each claimed wins, while this year’s coverage also includes qualifying at 6:30 p.m. ET on FS1 and 11 a.m. on Sunday.
Top Fuel has been dominated in 2026 Kalitta Motorsports teammates Shawn Langdon and Kalitta. Langdon is the current points leader, riding a three-race winning streak, while others to watch include Tony Stewart, Maddi Gordon, Leah Pruett and Antron Brown.
Jordan Vandergriff, a Funny Car newcomer for John Force Racing, opened the playoffs with a win will try to track down points leader Hagan, who won Sunday in Rockingham, Capps, Todd and back-to-back world champ Austin Prock.
Greg Stanfield moved into the points lead in Pro Stock after winning in Rockingham. He’ll look to hold off the likes of Matt Hartford, reigning world champ Dallas Glenn, Greg Anderson and Erica Enders in St. Louis.
Reigning Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Richard Gadson holds the points lead after winning Sunday in Rockingham. Other standouts include Matt and Angie Smith, Herrera and Chase Van Sant.
The NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals will also feature action in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, the JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Elite Motorsports and Flexjet NHRA Factory Stock Showdown.
Fans can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce and celebrate each driver racing for the prestigious Wally on Sunday and includes the fan favorite SealMaster Track Walk, as well as the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday after racing concludes, where fans are invited to congratulate the St. Louis event winners.
As always, fans get a pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction. Fans can see their favorite teams in action and servicing their cars between rounds, get autographs from their favorite drivers and more. They can also visit NHRA’s Manufacturers Midway, which includes interactive displays, merchandise, food and fun.
NHRA Mission Food Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 4:30 and 7 p.m. CT on Friday, Oct. 2, and the final two rounds on Saturday, Oct. 3 at 12 and 2:30 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 9 a.m. CT on Sunday, Oct. 4.
Tickets may be purchased at the WWTR ticket office, by phone at (618) 215-8888, or online at www.wwtraceway.com. All children 12 and under are free in the general admission area with a paid adult. For more info on NHRA, visit www.NHRA.com.
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