NHRA's longest-running continuous event, held at Pomona since 1961.
Format
4-day drag racing meet
Crowd
Families & diehards
Vibe
Family-friendly, High-energy
About This Event
The traditional opening meet of the NHRA championship season, held at Pomona since 1961 on one of the few dragstrips operated directly by the sanctioning body. Four days of quarter-mile qualifying and bracket-style eliminations in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Top Alcohol classes, with Sunday's 16-car fields determined by elapsed times across Friday and Saturday sessions.
1What to Expect
66th annual edition of NHRA's historic season-opening race at Pomona
1,000th Funny Car race in NHRA history takes place this weekend
Ten Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series classes compete alongside professional categories
Show all 5
40,000-seat facility operated directly by NHRA since 1961
Every ticket includes pit access to watch crews rebuild between rounds
2Best Way to Experience It
Top Eliminator Club at starting line includes hospitality lounge and food service
Paid pit parking shortens walk to entrance versus main fairgrounds lot
Children 12 and under receive free general admission with adult ticket purchase
Track located one mile north of Interstate 10 via Fairplex Drive exit
On-site parking available; food variety available but expensive
Ear protection essential due to loud racing vehicles
Our vlog
I Tested ALL 3 NHRA Tickets - GA vs Grandstand vs Top Eliminators Club
2025
4Frequently Asked Questions
Best fit if you value historic venues: 66th edition of NHRA's most prestigious drag racing event, continuous at Pomona since 1961, traditional season-opening championship meet every driver wants on their resume.
Best fit if you enjoy championship racing: Race three of 20 in 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, two-day qualifying determines 16-car Sunday elimination brackets across Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock classes.
Best fit if you like passionate fan atmosphere: Family-friendly gathering (children 12-under free), 40,000-capacity facility at Fairplex grounds, quarter-mile straight acceleration contest format brings enthusiast community together for traditional opener.
Not ideal if you prefer circuit racing: Drag racing's straight-line acceleration format focuses on 1,320-foot runs rather than wheel-to-wheel road course battles, tournament-style elimination brackets prioritize quickest times over overtaking dynamics.
Tags
Meet the DriversDrag Racing
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