Image/Auto Imagery–Richard Shute

Brighter days are ahead.

The National Hot Rod Association is looking forward to a full race season in 2021 and today announced its 22-race professional schedule for next year. There are some notable changes, including a brand new sponsor–Camping World. Also, the series will start its season a little bit later and begins on the east coast for the first time ever.

Here’s the full press release from NHRA, along with the full schedule:

Today NHRA officials announced a 22-race 2021 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series schedule. Details on Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying days as well as special exhibitions and specialty series that compete at national events will be announced in coming weeks.

NHRA enters 2021 with a new sponsor on its premier professional series – Camping World, the nation’s largest retailer of recreational vehicles (RVs), RV accessories, and RV-related services – and an extended partnership with FOX Sports including amped-up coverage. All 22 events in this extreme sport series will be aired exclusively on FOX Sports with select events on the FOX broadcast network.

In 2021 NHRA will celebrate its 70th anniversary. Fans will experience special treats and features along the tour to commemorate this important milestone and honor the NHRA’s vast history. 

“We are grateful to the loyal NHRA fans and other members of the racing community who have stuck with us during the trying times of the 2020 season,” said NHRA President Glen Cromwell. “We’re looking forward to an exciting season of championship drag racing with fans in 2021. Thank you to our fans, racers, track operators, and partners for your continued support and cooperation.”

For the first time, the NHRA season will kick off on the east coast with the 52nd annual AMALIE Motor Oil Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway on March 12-14. 

The traditional series opener, the 61st annual Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, will move to April 9-11 in 2021, starting a unique three-week spring stretch on the West Coast. The Winternationals will be followed by the DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Las Vegas, the first of two four-wide events during the 2021 campaign, and the NHRA Arizona Nationals in Phoenix, April 23-25.

NHRA’s famed Western Swing, the popular three-race summer tradition, includes thrilling events at Bandimere Speedway in Denver, Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., and Pacific Raceways in Seattle over consecutive weeks.

The sport’s biggest race, the historic NHRA U.S. Nationals, will stay in its traditional place over Labor Day Weekend, Sept. 1-5, at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis.

NHRA’s Countdown to the Championship playoff system, with the top 10 racers in each professional category competing for a championship over the final six races, will lead into the 2021 season finale, the 56th annual Auto Club NHRA Finals slated for November 12-14 at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, Calif. 

One facility, Route 66 Raceway in Chicago, is not holding any drag racing events at its facility in 2021, so it is not included on the schedule.

Fans are encouraged to check NHRA.com/tickets for updates on future ticket purchases.

2021 NHRA CAMPING WORLD DRAG RACING SERIES SCHEDULE

NHRA Camping World Series Regular Season

Mar. 12-14 AMALIE Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals Gainesville, FL
Mar. 26-28 NHRA Southern Nationals Atlanta
Apr. 9-11 Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals Pomona, CA
Apr. 16-18 DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals Las Vegas
Apr. 23-25 NHRA Arizona Nationals Phoenix
May 14-16 NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals Charlotte
May 21-23 Mopar Express Lane NHRA SpringNationals Houston
Jun. 4-6 Virginia NHRA Nationals Richmond
Jun. 11-13 NHRA New England Nationals Epping, NH
Jun. 24-27 Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals Norwalk, OH
Jul. 16-18 Dodge Mile-High NHRA Nationals Denver
Jul. 23-25 NHRA Sonoma Nationals Sonoma, CA
Jul. 30-Aug. 1 Flav-R-Pac Northwest Nationals Seattle
Aug. 13-15 Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals Topeka, KS.
Aug. 19-22 Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals Brainerd, MN.
Sep. 1-5 NHRA U.S. Nationals Indianapolis
  NHRA Camping World
Countdown to the Championship  
 
Sep. 10-12 NHRA Nationals Reading, PA
Sep. 17-19 NTK NHRA Carolina Nationals Charlotte
Sep. 24-26 NHRA Midwest Nationals St. Louis
Oct. 7-10 Texas NHRA FallNationals Dallas
Oct.29-31 Dodge NHRA Nationals Las Vegas
Nov. 12-14 Auto Club NHRA Finals Pomona, CA
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Author: David Fuller

David Fuller is OnAllCylinders' managing editor. During his 20-year career in the auto industry, he has covered a variety of races, shows, and industry events and has authored articles for multiple magazines. He has also partnered with mainstream and trade publications on a wide range of editorial projects. In 2012, he helped establish OnAllCylinders, where he enjoys covering all facets of hot rodding and racing.