The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series will be making its annual trek to Sonoma Raceway this weekend for the 38th Annual Denso Sonoma Nationals, the 11th of 20 events on the 2026 NHRA season schedule.

One of the favorite stops of the season for both fans and teams, the picturesque track in the heart of scenic wine country is the perfect setting for the heart-pounding spectacle of these 12,000-horsepower, 340-mph nitro machines. With a track elevation just above sea level and ever-changing weather conditions, Sonoma provides teams with the chance to maximize performance provided they can properly navigate the elements.

While last year’s winners Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Austin Prock (Funny Car), and Greg Stanfield (Pro Stock) will once again be among the favorites to take home an NHRA Wally again this weekend, all three will have plenty of competition.

Reigning Top Fuel world champion Kalitta is the winningest driver in class history at Sonoma Raceway with six wins, but it’s Kalitta’s teammate, Mira Loma native Shawn Langdon, who has dominated the 2026 season with four wins and the points lead.

“Our Kalitta Careers car has been strong all season, but the biggest thing now is to keep that consistency,” Langdon said recently. ”I always love going to Sonoma; I grew up racing Super Comp there. There is always good air, so we can make some throwdown runs, especially on Friday night. We just pray for a couple of clouds to stop by on Sunday, and it will be a great weekend.”

Others to watch in Top Fuel will be Epping winner Leah Pruett, Winter Nationals winner Tony Stewart, Gainesville winner Josh Hart, and rookie sensation Maddi Gordon, winner of the most recent event, in Norwalk.

Two-time reigning Funny Car champion Austin Prock won for the first time in Sonoma last season for John Force Racing. This season, Prock moved to Tasca Racing and, after a rocky start to the year, has recently returned to form. Three-time champ and three-time race winner in 2026, Ron Capps of Carlsbad leads the points, while four-time champion Matt Hagan sits second in a field that includes Jordan Vandergriff, Prock’s replacement at Force Racing, along with Chad Green, J.R. Todd, and Jack Beckman.

Last year’s Pro Stock final was a family affair, as Greg Stanfield defeated his son, Aaron, in the final round. Aaron has won in Chicago and Norwalk, but KB Titan Racing has dominated most of the year, with six-time season champion and current points leader Greg Anderson and reigning world champ Dallas Glenn leading the way. Matt Hartford has three wins this year against a field that includes six-time champ Erica Enders and Jeg Coughlin Jr.

Along with the stars in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock, Sonoma will also host the GETTRX NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle All-Star Callout. Eight top riders in the category will compete in the unique bonus race on the Saturday, with big money and bragging rights on the line.

Last season, six-time world champion Matt Smith defeated Richard Gadson, the reigning world champ, in the final round. This year, the eight riders will make two time trial runs on Friday before the win-or-go-home one-day Saturday shootout.

Saturday will feature two rounds of qualifying along with the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, while Friday kicks off the show in a major way with two qualifying sessions, including a must-see night run that always showcases some of the biggest and most spectacular runs of the year.

In addition to the Pro categories, Sonoma will also include close competition in seven divisions in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League Shootout, Street Legal, and Top the Cops exhibitions throughout the weekend.

An appearance from legendary NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car world champion Gary Scelzi of Fresno will also highlight the weekend. Scelzi is one of only three drivers in NHRA history to claim world titles in both Top Fuel (1997, 1998, 2000) and Funny Car (2005). NHRA will honor Scelzi’s accomplishments at his home track, Sonoma Raceway.

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 4:55 and 6:55 p.m. tonday, and the final two rounds on Saturday at 11:45 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday.

The first round of the GETTRX Pro Stock Motorcycle All-Star Callout takes place at 11:15 a.m. on Saturday, with the semifinals at 1:30 p.m. and the finals at 3:40 p.m.

Television coverage includes Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge on Saturday at 5 p.m. and the GETTRX Pro Stock Motorcycle All-Star Callout at 6 p.m. on FS1. Elimination coverage begins at 7 p.m. on FS1 on Sunday.

To purchase tickets to the DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals, fans can visit www.sonomaraceway.com or call (800) 870-RACE [7223].