NHRA, Dodge and Mopar Bring National Event Racing Back to Michigan for First Time in 66 Years, Serve as Title and Presenting Sponsors for NHRA Debut at US 131 Motorsports Park
- Dodge NHRA Great Lakes Nationals presented by Mopar at Martin, Michigan, represents first full NHRA National event in Michigan in 66 years
- Tony Stewart Racing drivers Matt Hagan and Leah Pruett will carry the banner for Dodge and Mopar at the Michigan event in September
- Dodge and Mopar will showcase popular interactive exhibit, new SIXPACK-powered Dodge Charger muscle car and more
May 14, 2026, Auburn Hills, Mich. – NHRA National event racing returns to the great state of Michigan, courtesy of NHRA, Dodge and Mopar.
NHRA officials announce that the Dodge and Mopar brands will serve as title and presenting sponsors of the first NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series event at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park. Racing takes place Sept. 18-20 during NHRA’s 75th anniversary season. The event is the first of six playoff races during the 20-event 2026 campaign.
The inaugural Dodge NHRA Great Lakes Nationals presented by Mopar makes its debut at the standout facility in Martin, Michigan, representing the first NHRA National event Michigan stop in 66 years and kicking off the NHRA Countdown to the Championship playoffs in grand fashion.
“Having Dodge and Mopar step into the role of title and presenting sponsor for our debut event at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park is incredibly exciting,” NHRA Vice President and Chief Development Officer Brad Gerber said. “This race has huge importance as the first event in the Countdown to the Championship, and partnering with two iconic brands like Dodge and Mopar, which have a deep-rooted history in the area and in NHRA drag racing, elevates it even further. It’s a great way to launch the playoffs at a new venue, and we’re looking forward to delivering a standout weekend for everyone involved.”
“Let the Countdown begin,” said Matt McAlear, Dodge CEO. “We are thrilled to partner with Mopar to bring NHRA National event racing back to Michigan for the first time in 66 years, at the same time we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Dodge Charger. Dodge performance is rooted in drag racing then and now, and it will be a great weekend to kick off the NHRA playoffs.”
The last full NHRA National event in Michigan was at the now-defunct Detroit Dragway in 1960. The anticipation is already building for the first event at the popular Martin, Michigan, facility, and the addition of Dodge and Mopar as title and presenting sponsors adds to the excitement for the race.
Dodge and Mopar continue to be heavily involved in the NHRA ranks, serving as partners for the Tony Stewart Racing team’s Top Fuel and Funny Car drivers, longtime Dodge and Mopar racers Matt Hagan and Leah Pruett. Racing legend and team owner Tony Stewart also competes in the Top Fuel class with Dodge HEMI® power.
Pruett has impressed upon returning to the Top Fuel ranks in 2026, while Hagan is a four-time world champion who has spent his entire career in a Dodge Funny car and expects to be in the title hunt yet again. Stewart, who won the regular-season championship in 2025, already posted an early-season win this year.
In Martin, Dodge and Mopar will have a strong presence at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park with a popular interactive exhibit and Dodge muscle cars on display, including the new SIXPACK-powered Dodge Charger. Additional information on Dodge and Mopar activities planned around the NHRA’s historic return to Michigan will be shared later this summer.
With championship dreams in mind, all the stars in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle are set to debut at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park, one of four new facilities during NHRA’s milestone season. The special diamond Wally trophy celebrating NHRA’s 75th season will be on the line for the winners of the new race in Martin. The event will also be broadcast on FS1, including eliminations on Sunday, Sept. 20.
The inaugural Dodge NHRA Great Lakes Nationals presented by Mopar will also feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, which includes some of the sport’s top drivers in Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car and Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown.
To purchase tickets to the inaugural Dodge NHRA Great Lakes Nationals presented by Mopar on Sept. 18-20 at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park, fans can visit www.nhra.com/tickets.
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