MECHANICSVILLE, Md. — The sounds of nitro engines echoed across Southern Maryland on Friday as Maryland International Raceway (MIR) welcomed competitors and fans for the opening day of the inaugural NHRA Potomac Nationals, marking the first time an NHRA national event has been held in Maryland.
Thousands of spectators gathered at the Budds Creek facility throughout the day as Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle teams took to the track for the opening rounds of professional qualifying. The event is part of NHRA’s 75th anniversary season and has placed Maryland International Raceway and St. Mary’s County in the national motorsports spotlight.
Drivers from across NHRA’s premier professional divisions began establishing qualifying positions during two rounds of professional qualifying Friday, setting the stage for additional qualifying rounds Saturday before final eliminations Sunday.
The following drivers led their respective classes after Friday’s second round of qualifying:
- Top Fuel: Shawn Langdon, 3.758 seconds at 336.23 mph
- Funny Car: Cruz Pedregon, 3.951 seconds at 323.19 mph
- Pro Stock: Greg Anderson, 6.494 seconds at 211.79 mph
- Pro Stock Motorcycle: Angie Smith, 6.690 seconds at 202.97 mph
- Top Alcohol Dragster: Joey Serverance, 5.182 seconds at 279 mph
- Top Alcohol Funny Car: Robert McCosh, 5.450 seconds at 267.69 mph
Friday’s action featured the thunderous arrival of Top Fuel and Funny Car competition, with many first-time attendees experiencing the force of nitro racing firsthand while longtime fans eagerly awaited the spectacle.
The sensory impact of the 330-mph machines could be felt throughout the facility as fans packed grandstands, vendor areas and Nitro Alley.
Students Get Behind-the-Scenes Look at NHRA Careers
Beejay Dothard, principal of Great Mills High School, said approximately 45 students attended the NHRA Potomac Nationals as part of a field trip designed to expose them to new industries, professions and experiences. Dothard said students had opportunities to meet race team personnel, drivers and public relations professionals while seeing firsthand how a major national motorsports event operates behind the scenes.
“We have about 45 kids with us. We met a team owner, we met some drivers and a PR guy,” Dothard said. “That’s what it’s about, getting these kids introduced to different experiences.”
Dothard said many of the students had never attended a drag racing event or visited Maryland International Raceway before. He described their reactions as a mix of excitement, curiosity and amazement as they explored the facility, watched crews work on race cars and experienced the scale of the NHRA event.
“Most of the kids here with us have never been to an event like this, never been to this track, or ever been to a track. You could just see it in their eyes. They were just shocked and happy,” Dothard said. “The one kid just saying, ‘This is so cool, this is so cool.’ Watching them tear apart the car — man, I’ve never seen this before.”
Dothard said one of the most valuable lessons students could take away from the trip was that careers exist beyond traditional occupations. He said the event demonstrated how people can build successful careers around specialized skills, technical knowledge and personal interests.
“There are careers that you can do and make money doing things that you love. It doesn’t have to be the traditional jobs that we all see and hear every day,” Dothard said. “Everybody here is at work, and they’re playing with cars and going fast. They get to see a different way of a career path.”
Dothard praised the opportunity for St. Mary’s County to host a nationally televised NHRA event. He said it provides positive exposure for the community while allowing residents and students to experience a major professional sporting event without leaving the county.
“I think that is absolutely awesome to have St. Mary’s County on this stage — on a world stage,” Dothard said. “I’ve seen these races on TV, but to be able to come live right here and not even have to leave the county, that is awesome, that is special.”
Longtime Fans See Historic Moment for Maryland International Raceway
Bob Berger of Nanjemoy, Md. said he has been attending races at Maryland International Raceway since the early 1970s and has witnessed decades of change in both the sport and the facility. While he said the atmosphere and community spirit of the raceway have remained largely the same, the speed and performance of the cars have increased dramatically over the years.
“Basically, it’s just one of those kinds of tracks you just come to, and you just have a good time,” Berger said. “I’ve been coming here since the early ’70s. The cars are a lot faster.”
Berger described Maryland International Raceway as a place where generations of Southern Maryland families have gathered around a shared passion for drag racing. He said many racers and fans grew up at the track, creating a close-knit community that continues to support the sport.
“I used to bring my niece and sit her on my shoulders at the fence when she was a little kid watching funny cars,” Berger said. “People not only race here, but they grew up here.”
Berger said the arrival of the NHRA Potomac Nationals is an important moment for the local racing community because it brings national attention to a region with a deep appreciation for drag racing. He described Southern Maryland racers and fans as welcoming people who genuinely enjoy the sport and are proud to see Maryland International Raceway host its first NHRA national event.
“A bunch of good people, good racers that really enjoy drag racing — It’s pretty damn nice,” Berger said. “We were driving to New Jersey and Pennsylvania to see these races before.”
Berger also explained that nitro racing delivers an experience unlike any other form of motorsports, noting that the power of the engines can be physically felt by spectators. He said some first-time attendees may initially be intimidated by the noise and intensity, but most quickly become fans after experiencing it firsthand.
“Nitromethane is a very violent fuel. You feel the pressure,” Berger said. “Some people like it right off the get-go, and some people are a little leery of it because it is kind of scary if you don’t know. But once they see it, they love it.”
As a longtime supporter of the raceway, Berger praised Maryland International Raceway’s ownership and maintenance, describing it as a well-run facility that has remained one of the region’s premier drag racing venues for decades.
The event delivered national exposure for the region through NHRA’s television coverage and media presence, drawing attention to both the raceway and Southern Maryland as a destination.
For Maryland International Raceway owner Royce Miller, the opening day represented the culmination of years of facility improvements and preparation that helped bring the national event to Southern Maryland.
Miller said he was pleased with the opening day of the inaugural NHRA Potomac Nationals, describing Friday’s professional qualifying sessions as competitive and closely contested across multiple divisions. Miller said drivers adapted well to the track during their first NHRA national event appearance at the Budds Creek facility and expressed confidence that the remaining qualifying rounds and final eliminations would produce an exciting weekend of racing.
“It’s a great first day of this event. Side-by-side, close qualifying between all the competitors. It is going to be an awesome show on Sunday,” Miller said. “They still got two more qualifying sessions, but for the first time being on this track, I’m really pleased with the qualifying results.”
Miller also said attendance on Friday met expectations and noted that larger crowds are anticipated throughout the remainder of the event weekend. He described the Potomac Nationals as a growing success for Maryland International Raceway and said fans can expect an even bigger atmosphere as qualifying continues Saturday and eliminations take place Sunday.
“For our Friday crowd, this is pretty good,” Miller said. “We’ve got a lot more here on Saturday and Sunday. It’s going to be an awesome event.”
Miller encouraged race fans to continue following the event and future activities at Maryland International Raceway through the track’s website and social media channels.
“Just follow us on GoRaceMIR.com, and it’ll keep you up on all that we do here,” Miller said.
NHRA Legends Praise Southern Maryland Racing Community
Beyond the racing, spectators spent the day exploring the professional pit areas, meeting drivers, collecting autographs and watching crews service race cars between qualifying sessions. Unlike many professional sports, NHRA events allow fans direct access to teams and drivers throughout the weekend.
Greg Anderson, the most winning Pro Stock driver in NHRA history and #1 Pro Stock second round qualifier for Friday, said the arrival of the NHRA Potomac Nationals at Maryland International Raceway is the culmination of decades of effort by track owner Royce Miller and the Southern Maryland racing community. Anderson said he has known Miller for many years and recalled racing at the facility long before it hosted a national event, describing the Potomac Nationals as a long-awaited achievement for the raceway and its supporters.
“It’s been years in the making. Royce has talked about having a national event for 30 years,” Anderson said. “He finally brought it to all these great people here. They made it happen.”
Anderson said Southern Maryland’s racing culture stands out because local fans understand and appreciate the sport. He described the region as highly knowledgeable about drag racing and said race fans have been eager for years to see a national NHRA event come to Maryland International Raceway.
“They’re proud as peacocks to have this race here. They respect it so much. They’re racer friendly. They understand race cars,” Anderson said. “These people have been around a long, long time. They were starving for a national event. Now they finally got one.”
Anderson also emphasized that NHRA drag racing is best experienced in person rather than through television broadcasts. He said the sights, sounds and physical sensations created by nitro-powered race cars cannot be fully captured on television and encouraged residents to attend the event if they have not already experienced it firsthand.
“If you somehow missed the bus and didn’t come out here this weekend, get your butt out here on Saturday and Sunday,” Anderson said. “By the time you leave Sunday night, you’re going to say that’s the coolest sport I’ve ever seen.”
Cruz Pedregon of Cruz Pedregon Racing, a veteran NHRA Funny Car driver and Friday’s No. 1 Funny Car qualifier at the NHRA Potomac Nationals, praised the enthusiasm of Maryland International Raceway fans and said the Southern Maryland crowd reflects the passionate racing culture found throughout the Northeast. Pedregon said local spectators demonstrated a deep understanding of drag racing and noted that many fans at the event are racers themselves, creating a unique atmosphere for competitors.
“To me, there’s no fan base as enthusiastic as the Northeast fan base. This qualifies as being a Northeast fan base,” Pedregon said. “Just pay attention to the fans. Many of these people are racers themselves.”
Pedregon encouraged young racers and aspiring drivers attending the event to pursue their goals while remaining focused on education and personal development. He said his own career began as a fan seeking autographs at drag strips before eventually becoming a professional driver, emphasizing that opportunities in motorsports are attainable through dedication and hard work.
“I was a fan that was fortunate enough to parlay that into a career. I used to go to the Southern California tracks as a youth and seek autographs,” Pedregon said. “If I can do it, you can do it. Stay in school. Be smart. Do the right thing.”
Cruz Pedregon credited NHRA and Maryland International Raceway officials for bringing national-level drag racing to new markets, saying the inaugural Potomac Nationals represents an important opportunity to introduce fans to professional NHRA competition. Pedregon said he was impressed by the condition of Maryland International Raceway after personally inspecting the racing surface before qualifying and praised track officials for preparing a competitive facility for the event’s debut.
“I want to thank NHRA for having the guts and the fortitude to go to different markets. For them to come out and visit these facilities and put on events where fans have never seen this show is commendable,” Pedregon said. “I’m looking to be critical, and this track’s pretty good. They know their stuff here.”
Pedregon said he could tell his Friday qualifying pass was fast while still inside the car, even before learning the official results. He described the run as both quick and smooth, helping secure the top Funny Car qualifying position during Friday’s sessions.
“It’s great for the Snap-on car to run a stellar run like that,” Pedregon said. “In the car, I felt it was a fast run and a smooth run.”
Dave Richards, driver of the Bluebird Turf Funny Car for Scag Racing, said competing in the inaugural NHRA Potomac Nationals at Maryland International Raceway carried unexpected personal significance because of his family’s history with the facility. Richards said his father, longtime Funny Car racer Gary Richards, competed at MIR decades ago, and several fans shared stories and photographs of those races during the event’s Fan Fest activities.
“This has got a little bit of a home-track feeling for me. My dad, when he raced back, even before I was born, he was a Northeast Funny Car guy, so this was one of his tracks,” Richards said. “It was really cool that I had several people come over and talk about my dad racing here. They were showing me pictures and sharing stories.”
Richards described driving a 12,000-horsepower nitro Funny Car as an experience that is difficult to put into words, noting that the extreme speed and forces involved are unlike anything most people encounter. He said success in NHRA competition comes through experience and seat time, with no simulator or substitute capable of replicating the realities of driving a nitro-powered race car.
“Top speeds are 330-plus miles an hour. I don’t know how you can really put it into words. It’s a blast, especially when it does go the way you want it to,” Richards said. “There’s no simulator, nothing you can do to practice for this stuff. You’ve got to have real-life seat time.”
Richards said the atmosphere at Maryland International Raceway has felt surprisingly familiar despite being hundreds of miles from home. He described the raceway as a beautiful facility and praised both the venue and Southern Maryland community for creating a welcoming environment for competitors and fans.
“It’s a beautiful facility. Driving through the beautiful countryside, it’s just a warm, welcoming feeling,” Richards said. “It’s a really nice place. Everyone’s been wonderful. Everyone’s super nice.”
NHRA Potomac Nationals: Maryland International Raceway
Professional qualifying will continue Saturday at Maryland International Raceway, with final eliminations scheduled for Sunday. Event organizers are encouraging spectators to arrive early as attendance is expected to increase throughout the weekend.
The NHRA Potomac Nationals continue through May 31 at Maryland International Raceway in Mechanicsville.
Fast Facts About NHRA Potomac Nationals
- Event: NHRA Potomac Nationals (NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series)
- Dates: May 29–31, 2026
- Location: Maryland International Raceway, 27861 Budds Creek Rd, Mechanicsville, Md.
- Final Eliminations: Sunday, May 31
- Spectator Gates Open: 9 a.m. daily
- Track Walk & Driver Introductions: 10 a.m. Sunday
- Mission Foods Series Eliminations Begin: 11 a.m. Sunday
- Hotels: MIR hosting hotels
- Results: Live results page
Featured NHRA Classes
- Top Fuel
- Funny Car
- Pro Stock
- Pro Stock Motorcycle
What To Expect
- NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series competition
- Professional qualifying rounds Friday and Saturday
- Final eliminations Sunday
- Nitro Alley fan experiences and stage programming
- Driver autograph sessions and meet-and-greets
- Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge events Saturday
- Featured NHRA legend Shirley Muldowney
Tickets And Information: Tickets, schedules, maps, camping and event information are available through the NHRA and Maryland International Raceway event pages.
How To Watch the NHRA Potomac Nationals
Fans unable to attend in person can watch the NHRA Potomac Nationals on NHRA.tv and through FOX Sports television coverage throughout race weekend.
Television Schedule:
- Saturday, May 30
Qualifying Show 2 — 9–10 p.m. ET (Fox Sports 1, FS1) - Sunday, May 31
Final Eliminations — 3–6 p.m. ET (FOX)
Additional re-airings are expected on FS1 and FS2 following the event weekend. More information about Maryland International Raceway can be found at https://goracemir.com.
