Take a look at this, 2026 US Street Nationals Eliminations — Round 1 Full!
The 2026 US Street Nationals presented by M&M Transmission delivered intense drag racing action on Saturday evening at Bradenton Motorsports Park, and Round 1 eliminations kicked off a high-stakes weekend that highlighted side-by-side battles, record-setting performance, and unpredictable lanes throughout multiple classes — especially in Pro Mod competition.
This article breaks down the key moments, standout performances, and broader context from the first round of eliminations for one of drag racing’s most competitive winter events.
A Historic Pro Mod Field in the First Round
The 2026 US Street Nationals produced one of the most competitive Pro Mod qualifying fields in drag racing history. All 32 Pro Mod qualifiers ran in the 3.50-second zone, demonstrating how deep the talent pool was before eliminations even began.
That historic qualifying set the stage for Round 1 eliminations, where even small margins could mean the difference between advancing or going home.
What Happened in Round 1
Round 1 eliminations unfolded with tight head-to-head battles in multiple categories, but the biggest attention surrounded Pro Mod class action, including:
-
Side-by-side 3.50-second runs with cars running near identical elapsed times.
-
Multiple competitors posting impressive passes under pressure, keeping the intensity high through every lane pairing.
-
Cars that qualified in the middle of the pack pushing to upset higher qualifiers in the opening round — a hallmark of intense winter series competition.
Round 1 also included eliminations for other top doorslammer classes like Pro 10.5, True 10.5, Lil Gangstas, and various radial categories that kicked off their brackets earlier in the day.
Standout Performances and Tight Finishes
Eliminations were marked by:
-
Pro Mod door cars launching hard and maintaining blistering acceleration down the track in their opening-round duels.
-
Several laps in the 3.50s being run by multiple competitors under head-to-head pressure, reaffirming the depth of speed in the class.
-
Upsets and tight outcomes that left even seasoned racers talking about how close Round 1 really was.
These factors made Round 1 eliminations feel more like championship-level matchups than simply “opening rounds.”
The Bigger Picture — Why Round 1 Mattered
Eliminations at the US Street Nationals are more than a single round of racing — they shape the rest of the weekend. Securing a win in Round 1 means:
-
Better lane choice in Round 2 and beyond
-
Momentum moving into the late stages of competition
-
Avoiding the chaos and unpredictability of an elimination exit
This matters especially because the event is part of the Drag Illustrated Winter Series, where consistency and round wins can mean major bragging rights and potential series payouts as the season unfolds.
What Fans Are Talking About
Online reactions and social media buzz after Round 1 commonly highlighted:
-
The sheer depth of Pro Mod performance, with times stacked deep in the mid-3.50s.
-
Close, side-by-side battles that had fans debating lost tenths and reaction times.
-
Surprises and early upsets that had viewers talking about how suddenly race weekend can change.
The combination of blistering speed and dramatic competition is exactly why the US Street Nationals have become a must-watch winter drag racing event.
What’s Next
With Round 1 in the books, attention quickly turns to:
-
Round 2 eliminations later Saturday evening
-
Sunday finals across Pro Mod and other classes
-
How drivers adjust strategies and tuning based on opening round performance
-
Which cars are emerging as favorites as the event pressures mount
Fans can also catch replays of eliminations and qualifying action through livestream replay services.
Final Thoughts
The Round 1 Eliminations at the 2026 US Street Nationals set the tone for a thrilling weekend of drag racing. Historic qualifying combined with tight opening-round competition demonstrated just how competitive Pro Mod and the other doorslammer classes have become. With a full season of elite matchups ahead, this event continues to prove why the US Street Nationals is one of the standout events of the drag racing calendar.
