KNOW BEFORE YOU TOW: E.T. FINALS EDITION
- 7 hours ago
- 5 min read
The Road to Las Vegas Starts Now
The moment bracket racers across North America have been waiting for has arrived.
The first weekend of the 2026 NHRA Summit Racing Series E.T. Finals presented by Hoosier Racing Tire is officially here, kicking off the road that will ultimately lead 64 racers to Las Vegas for the Summit Racing Equipment E.T. World Championship presented by Hoosier Racing Tire at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Over the coming weeks, racers from across North America will compete at 11 E.T. Finals events for the opportunity to represent their division on one of the biggest stages in bracket racing.
With 16 spots available in each of four categories, Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman, and Motorcycle, 64 racers will ultimately earn the opportunity to compete for a World Championship in Las Vegas.
And waiting at the finish line is something extra special during NHRA’s 75th Anniversary season: the opportunity to take home a 75th Anniversary Diamond Wally and be crowned an NHRA Summit Racing E.T. Series presented by Hoosier Racing Tire World Champion.
Before you load up and head to your E.T. Finals, here are a few things every racer needs to Know Before You Tow.
✓ LICENSE READY. CHASSIS READY. RACE READY.
Your focus when you arrive at the E.T. Finals should be simple: enjoying time with friends and family, winning rounds, earning the $3,000 in travel money to Las Vegas, and taking home the 75th Anniversary Wally.
That means checking a few important boxes before you ever leave for the racetrack.
Make sure your NHRA membership and competition license are current and that any required chassis certifications are completed before heading to your E.T. Finals.
Don’t wait until race weekend to get everything handled.
For licensing, visit the new and improved NHRARacer.com to download the necessary paperwork. If you have questions or need assistance, contact the NHRA Licensing Department or your local NHRA Division Office.
Need a chassis certification? Contact your local NHRA Division Office to find an upcoming chassis certification location near you and make sure your race car is ready to hit the track.
KNOW BEFORE YOU TOW: Take care of your paperwork before you leave home so you can spend race weekend focused on what you came to do: race.
✓ DON'T LEAVE CONTINGENCY MONEY ON THE TABLE
There is more on the line at the Summit Racing E.T. Finals than Wallys and a trip to Las Vegas.
NHRA’s contingency program gives racers the opportunity to earn additional money from participating manufacturers by competing with eligible products and displaying the required contingency decals.
With thousands of dollars in potential contingency winnings available at each of the 11 Summit Racing E.T. Series presented by Hoosier E.T. Finals, make sure you are prepared before heading down the track. Contingency awards will also be available at the Summit Racing E.T. World Championship in Las Vegas.
Before making your first run, make sure you:
Are using eligible contingency products
Have the appropriate decals displayed on your race car
Have decals properly displayed on both sides of the car when required
Meet all applicable contingency requirements
Contingency stickers can be requested at NHRA.com/competition/contingency.
✓ $30,000 HOOSIER PRIZE POOL
There is even more money on the line in 2026.
Thanks to Hoosier Racing Tire, racers have an opportunity to compete for a share of an impressive $30,000 Hoosier Prize Pool across the Summit Racing E.T. Finals and World Championship.
Any driver who wins an E.T. Finals event or the Summit Racing E.T. World Championship presented by Hoosier Racing Tire in Las Vegas while using Hoosier tires will become eligible for a share of the bonus fund.
The $30,000 prize pool will be evenly divided among verified eligible winners who competed on Hoosier tires and displayed the required Hoosier contingency sticker.
Competitors are encouraged to purchase Hoosier tires directly through Summit Racing Equipment.
Purchase Hoosier Racing Tires: www.summitracing.com/search/brand/hoosier-racing-tire
✓ KNOW WHEN YOUR ROAD TO VEGAS BEGINS
The road to Las Vegas stretches across North America with 11 Summit Racing Series E.T. Finals presented by Hoosier scheduled throughout August, September, and October.
2026 NHRA Summit Racing Series presented by Hoosier E.T. Finals Schedule
Division 1 Canada: Toronto Motorsports Park - Cayuga, Ontario - Aug. 28–30
Division 1: Lebanon Valley Dragway - West Lebanon, New York - Aug. 28–30
Division 6 Canada: RAD Torque Raceway - Edmonton, Alberta - Aug. 29–30
Division 6: Qlispé Raceway Park - Airway Heights, Washington - Sept. 4–6
Division 3: Summit Motorsports Park - Norwalk, Ohio - Sept. 11–13
Division 4: Texas Motorplex - Dallas, Texas - Sept. 11–13
Division 5 East: Tri-State Raceway - Earlville, Iowa - Sept. 17–20
Division 5 West: SRCA Dragstrip - Great Bend, Kansas - Sept. 24–27
Division 2: Carolina Dragway - Aiken, South Carolina - Oct. 2–4
Division 7 North: Redding Motorsports Park - Redding, California - Oct. 2–4
Division 7 South: The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway - Las Vegas, Nevada - Oct. 9–11
✓ 64 RACERS. ONE DESTINATION. LAS VEGAS.
When the final E.T. Finals Wally has been handed out, the attention will turn to Las Vegas.
The racers who advance to the Summit Racing E.T. World Championship presented by Hoosier will receive $3,000 in travel money to help make the trip to Las Vegas, along with a VIP welcome dinner and special experiences during World Championship weekend.
Then it’s time to race.
NHRA Summit Racing Series presented by Hoosier World Championship
The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway: Las Vegas, Nevada - Oct. 29–Nov. 1, 2026
Held as part of the Mopar NHRA Las Vegas Nationals powered by Dodge.
The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will bring together 64 of the best E.T. racers in North America, including 16 Super Pro, 16 Pro, 16 Sportsman, and 16 Motorcycle competitors, with one goal remaining.
At the end of the weekend, four racers will stand above the rest as Summit Racing E.T. Series presented by Hoosier Racing Tire World Champions, each taking home one of the most coveted trophies in NHRA history: an NHRA 75th Anniversary Diamond Wally.
✓ YOUR E.T. FINALS CHECKLIST
Before you load up and hit the road, remember:
License ready?
Make sure your NHRA membership and competition license are current.
Chassis certification ready?
Confirm that any required chassis certification is current before race weekend.
Contingency decals ready?
Order and install the appropriate decals before competition begins.
Running Hoosiers?
Make sure the required Hoosier contingency stickers are displayed so you can be eligible for a share of the $30,000 Hoosier Prize Pool if you win.
Ready to race?
Enjoy the weekend with your friends and family, represent your home track, and go chase that Wally.
There is more money on the line. More opportunities to qualify. More reasons to support the companies that support E.T. racing. And ultimately, one destination.
Know Before You Tow. Be ready when you arrive.
The Road to Las Vegas starts at your home track.
Now it’s time to see who earns the trip.