How to qualify for the National Shootout events:

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Division 1: NHRA Potomac Nationals – Maryland International Raceway – May 29-31, 2026
The 2026 Division 1 National Shootout will take place at the inaugural NHRA Potomac Nationals, with stars from Maryland International Raceway’s own 1320 Fabrication ET Series featured. The top 8 drivers in points of the 1320 Fabrication ET Series entering the NHRA Potomac Nationals will be selected to compete in front of the national event crowd.

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Division 2: NHRA Southern Nationals – South Georgia Motorsports Park– May 1-3, 2026
Southeast Division Member Tracks will submit their 2025 season champions that are interested in participating for a random draw for the eight spots at South Georgia Motorsports Park.

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Division 3: Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals – Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park -  June 25-28, 2026

The North Central Division will conduct a random drawing at the 2026 Member Track Meeting in January to select the 8 Member Tracks eligible to send one participant to the Summit JDRL National Shootout. The remaining Member Tracks that are not selected then become alternates based on the final order drawn. The drawing results will be posted on the Division 3 website and social media outlets.  This will allow time for each of the tracks selected to establish their representative for the Summit JDRL National Shootout held at the National Event.

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Division 4: Texas NHRA FallNationals – Texas Motorplex – October 14-18, 2026
The eight participants in the shootout will be the four age group champions and four age group runner-ups at the Division 4 Junior Finals, taking place at Ardmore Dragway July 31-August 2.

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Division 5: Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals– Brainerd Int'l Raceway – August 20-23, 2026

The JDRL category winners from that year’s West Central Division Jr. ET Finals will be invited to compete.  The remaining spots will be filled by the hosting facility’s top points earners. If a winner from the Jr. ET Finals event elects not to go, the invitation will be offered to the runner-up. Any other alternates will be drawn from hosting facility’s points.

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Division 6: Muckleshoot Casino Resort NHRA Northwest Nationals – Pacific Raceways – July 24-26, 2026
Each of the 18 Northwest Division Member Tracks will submit one name for a random drawing for the eight participants.  The drawing will be held during the Division 6 Track Operator's Meeting in Portland, Oregon, in January.

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Division 7: In-n-Out Burger NHRA Finals - In-N-Out Burger Dragstrip at Pomona – November 12-15, 2026

The eight participants in the shootout will consist of the season champions from the four age-groups in the Pacific Division Jr Championship Series (JCS) and the four age-group champions from the Pacific Division Jr Finals in Las Vegas.

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If alternates are needed - they will be selected based on the following hierarchy: Division 7 Race of Champions winners from the Jr Finals, second place in JCS, Jr Finals runner-up, Race of Champions runner-up, then next available from JCS.