Kayla Zadel

Ryan Hill at the starting line at Dragway 42. (Robert Richard photo)

DUNN, N.C. — Will Smith is about to add another milestone to his already versatile racing résumé. Smith will strap into a Nitro Funny Car for the first time in competition during the IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series November 6–8 at Darana Motorsports Park – Dunn (formerly GALOT Motorsports Park).

The Right Trailers Outlaw Street group isn't coming in quietly for the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at zMax Dragway. Even though the class is set for an exhibition, these no-prep racers aren't necessarily treating it like one. They know exactly what this moment means with a new stage and a new audience.

The four-wide chaos is settling in - and just getting started - at zMAX Dragway, where Friday's opening runs at the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals delivered early statements and set the stage for a pivotal Saturday.

In a career that's peppered with a list of accomplishments, this weekend Jeg Coughlin Jr. is adding another milestone to his long résumé. “The Natural,” as he's often called, will notch his 500th professional NHRA event start.

Consistent reliability is what hometown racer “Flyin' Ryan” Oehler is looking for this weekend as he chases a 75th anniversary diamond Wally at the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by Peak at Route 66 Raceway.

Entering the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK following his runner-up finish at the NHRA Southern Nationals has given Troy Coughlin Jr. a newfound confidence. Not that the racer from a long lineage of racing royalty ever lost it, but it's wild what going to a final round can do for one's morale.

Jianna Evaristo is turning things around this 2026 season. Not only is she picking up her performance on track, but she's also focusing on getting back to having fun. The California native admits that last season she was in a rut, and one thing she's not doing is comparing her performance last year to this year.

The first round matchups have been decided for the GETTRX Pro Stock NHRA All-Star Callout at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals. The top three qualifiers for the specialty race got to call out their fellow competitors for the first round, but before Greg Anderson could make his first pick, Summit Motorsports Park owner and SEMA board member Bill Bader Jr. got the crowd excited.

Matt Latino has always believed he belonged on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series stage. Now, in his first full-time Pro Stock campaign, he's proving it.