Take a look at this Big Announcement! The Outlaws are joining the NHRA! Plus a New Small Tire Series?
Drag racing fans just got a major shake-up. In a historic announcement at the 2025 PRI Show, the NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) officially unveiled plans for a brand-new series that will bring Street Outlaws stars and outlaw-style cars to NHRA national event stages in 2026 — and it comes with new race formats fans have been asking for.
This move is set to bridge the gap between grassroots outlaw racing and structured NHRA competition — bringing some of the most recognizable names and cars from the street and no-prep scene into the mainstream drag-racing spotlight.
🔥 1. Street Outlaws Meets NHRA — Right Trailers Outlaw Street Series
The centerpiece of the announcement is the Right Trailers Outlaw Street Series presented by XPEL, a new exhibition class built into the NHRA 2026 schedule.
Key points:
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The series debuts during the 2026 season as part of NHRA national event weekends.
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It features eight-car qualified fields with multiple rounds leading to semifinals and finals on Sunday.
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The collaboration brings iconic Street Outlaws figures — including Shawn “Murder Nova” Ellington, Ryan Martin, and Scott Taylor — to NHRA tracks.
This is more than a one-off exhibition. NHRA describes it as a showcase designed to bring the familiar outlaw style of racing to fans in a professional drag-race environment — complete with qualifying, head-to-head racing, and weekend event integration.
In the announcement, drivers made it clear they still want to race the cars fans know and love — and NHRA wants that energy on its biggest stages.
🔥 2. Why This Matters: Outlaw Culture Meets Mainstream Drag Racing
This collaboration marks a historic moment:
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Street Outlaws racers, long rooted in no-prep culture and TV competition, get a platform at NHRA national events.
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NHRA gains a new crowd — fans of unapologetically aggressive, relatable door cars — enhancing its already rich slate of drag racing formats.
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It brings street-style cars into a premier sanctioning body environment, introducing outlaw racers to large NHRA crowds and TV audiences.
The series is also intended to be fan-friendly, with cars people recognize and understand. As one driver noted, cars like the Fireball Camaro share real–world proportions with factory rigs, making them relatable beyond classic pro-race setups.
🔥 3. New Small Tire Series on the Horizon?
Alongside the Outlaw Street announcement, NHRA enthusiasts have also spotted early signs of additional grassroots-friendly racing options — including small-tire tours and “Small Tire Bratz” style competitions geared toward 28×10.5 classes and no-time racing.
While NHRA has not yet publicly detailed a formal small tire touring series under its umbrella, social and racing circles are buzzing about:
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A potential 10-race national circuit around small tire cars
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No-time, 1/8-mile brackets with fan-draw chips
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Expanded opportunities for street and small tire racers to compete at NHRA member tracks
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Increased visibility for grassroots racers within the sanctioned drag scene
This concept — still emerging and not yet fully formalized — signals NHRA’s broader interest in diversifying competition formats to include high-energy, grassroots-style races within or alongside its national events.
🔥 What NHRA’s Official Announcement Says
According to the official NHRA press release:
“NHRA will host a Right Trailers Outlaw Street Exhibition Series presented by XPEL in 2026, bringing top Street Outlaws racers to national events with formal qualifying and competition opportunities.”
Drivers emphasized that they didn’t want to stop racing while Street Outlaws TV production was paused — and the new series gives them a national stage to keep competing.
NHRA has positioned this as an exhibition class, but with solid structure: qualifying, semifinals, finals, and a schedule integrated with the NHRA Tour — a big step toward uniting outlaw and pro drag racing audiences.
🔥 What Fans Can Expect in 2026
For the 2026 season and beyond:
✔ Street Outlaws stars racing under the NHRA banner
✔ Eight-car fields at selected national events
✔ Official qualifying rounds, semifinals, and finals
✔ More fan interaction on NHRA race weekends
✔ Possibility of future small tire-focused touring options
This is a rare moment where two worlds collide — the outlaw heritage and mainstream NHRA sanctioning — giving fans new ways to experience drag racing.
⚡ Final Thoughts: A New Era for Drag Racing
The Outlaws joining NHRA events — even initially as an exhibition — represents a major evolution in drag racing. It brings street-style excitement into one of motorsport’s most respected institutions and opens the door for crossover fans, new competition formats, and expanded racing opportunities.
Add in the buzz about potential small-tire series growth, and 2026 looks poised to expand drag racing’s reach in ways few anticipated.
Stay tuned — more details, schedules, and rules are expected in early 2026 as NHRA builds its 75th anniversary season and integrates this groundbreaking partnership fully.
