This article originally appeared in the February 2026 issue of THE SHOP magazine.
With a growing number of series and classes and a seemingly never-ending supply of excitement from participants, the drag racing market is as solid as ever.
Innovation and desire combine to push technologies forward, while old-fashioned camaraderie and a need for speed mean there’s always a new goal to reach.
Add it all up and the drag racing market offers plenty of opportunities for speed shops and engine builders looking to get on a fast track to business success in 2026. To help, product suppliers list some of the industry trends they’re watching and offer highlights of hot new products to help shops gain traction in the fast-paced world of straight-line competition.
POSITIVE OUTLOOK
Riding a wave of positive momentum from the recent successful SEMA and PRI industry trade shows, the drag racing market seems poised for a big year in 2026.
“Motorsports in general is very strong and drag racing is leading the way,” says Mark Beatty, brand director at Red Line Oil. “The resurgence of the IHRA this year has everyone talking, the Red Line Oil PDRA series had a record-breaking year, the NHRA sold out races from coast to coast and the Drag Illustrated Winter Series is building the sport. Meanwhile, Drag and Drive-style events are growing by leaps and bounds. It’s just a great time for drag racing.”
More events and more series mean more opportunities, says Tom Kundrik, director of motorsports sales at FTI Performance.
“The return of the IHRA and the higher payouts will be huge for race shops, leading people to build new cars and engines and purchase many new parts,” he predicts. “With the emergence of more racing series, customers can compete at any level. If they know that there is a place for them to race at any level, they will continue to make purchases to be faster and stronger every weekend.”
The trends should make shops optimistic, believes Walt Sipp, director of service and motorsports for ProCharger Superchargers.
“Drag racing is expanding. With new series, more sanctioning bodies and additional classes emerging across the country, racers have more places to compete and more entry points for different levels of race cars. That means increased demand for proven power-adders, reliable combinations and parts that help racers stay competitive,” he says. “On top of that, the continued growth of No-Prep, No Time, Drag and Drive, True Street and small-tire classes brings fresh customers into the sport every season. For shops, this translates into a bigger customer base, more builds and more opportunities to become the go-to expert for scalable, upgrade-ready supercharger solutions.”
Strong growth indicators are present up and down the various classes, says John McLeod, senior director pro’s/motorsports sales, BU leader Classic Instruments, Race Pak and Speartech for Holley Performance Brands.
“We’re seeing an increase in Sportsmen-level racing. New series and Drag and Drive events are bringing new life and fresh energy to drag racing, and broader event coverage is helping as well,” he says. “We’ll continue to support racers at every level with stronger backing and personalized guidance, especially when it comes to hard parts and safety equipment.”
Scott Stutler, key account manager at Maradyne High Performance Fans, notes that even in an uncertain economy, market projections are cautiously optimistic.
“Job growth and growth in GDP are anticipated,” he says. “When racers aren’t thinking about their paychecks, 401(k) or grocery bills, they are thinking about racing. This should result in higher car counts at tracks, and higher car counts translate into product and service sales.”
Serious racers are looking to find their niche and then excel.
“Optimism is driven by market segmentation and the idea that quality is better than quantity,” says Christian Goncalves, marketing coordinator for Canton Racing Products. “As high-level drag racing becomes increasingly specialized and technical, racers are moving away from cheap, unreliable engine components and going with a more reliable product even at a higher price.”
SETTING THE STRAIGHT-LINE RECORD STRAIGHT
Confidence is an important aspect of all successful shops serving drag racers. But suppliers remind them that there’s always more to learn.
“One common misconception is that not having parts in stock doesn’t matter,” says McLeod. “Racers are more apt to buy what they can see and feel. Anyone can sell race parts, but having knowledgeable staff members who know the parts and what they do will generate more sales. Also, never underestimate the value of face-to-face connection with your customers.”
Kundrik has heard from shop owners frustrated that they can’t always get the correct information needed to recommend the correct parts.
“On the manufacturing side, we continue to branch out to our current shops to ask what they need from us—either product information or installation information,” he notes. “We want relationships with shops to be an open book, and we are all here to make customers happy.”
Goncalves uses oil pans as an example of a product line with potential.
“Many racers only look for the cheapest pan that fits—not one that is performance-engineered,” he says. “Professional shops need to educate customers that the oil pan is a critical, actively working fluid control component that is designed to save their engine under race conditions.”
Beatty notes that one challenge for shop professionals is finding ways to keep up with the seemingly constant changes and advancements in cars and equipment.
“Companies are developing new parts faster than we have ever seen,” he observes. “As a shop owner, you need that person on your staff that stays up to date, talks the talk, and walks the walk. I say all the time that ‘real knows real.’ If you want a place at the drag racing table, make sure you belong.”
Stutler finds that while racers are always looking for ways to save money, they also value quality, service and support.
“Online price wars are a race to the bottom and e-tailers cannot compete with the service and support from a local professional shop,” he says.
Finally, Sipp explains how, when it comes to drag racers, there’s always another milestone to reach.
“Horsepower addiction is real. Most racers start with a modest goal, but once they get comfortable, they want more power, more boost and faster ETs. That’s why scalability matters so much,” he says. “Shops that understand this mindset—and guide racers toward equipment with a proven upgrade path—end up with long-term, loyal customers who keep coming back as their competitive ambitions increase.”
WINNING FORMULAS
Looking to put drag racing-related sales on the fast track? Holley’s McLeod says to start with inventory.
“Have parts in stock and have staff members on the phones and in the shop who have racing knowledge,” he recommends. “Maintain a strong website. Build relationships with your suppliers. Be at the track or events and build customer contacts.”
Strong supplier partnerships keep businesses from having to go it alone, Sipp adds.
“Shops thrive when they partner with manufacturers who offer broad product coverage, multiple power-level options, and components that demonstrate consistency at the highest levels of drag racing,” he says. “Building a relationship with a company like ProCharger can also generate referral traffic and long-term partnerships. When shops align with a brand that racers trust, sales grow naturally.”
Goncalves from Canton Racing Products suggests focusing on “consistency insurance” with products that will last a full race season.
“Drag racing is all about repetition. Shops should stock and recommend fluid control components (quality oil pans, Accusumps, tanks) that guarantee a consistent oil supply, preventing mid-season failures,” he says. “These products build a reputation for reliability, leading to more high-value, long-term customer relationships.”
To find those customers, Maradyne’s Stutler says having a consistent presence at the local drag strip is a great launching point for sales.
“Support of the local racing scene is appreciated by the racing community and a great way to get them in your door. Knowing what race cars are on your local track and having the inventory needed to support them will build your business within the local racing scene.”
FTI’s Kundrick is a proponent of face-to-face interactions with drag racers to really get to know them and their needs.
“This is a relationship-based business,” he explains. “With the addition of many series, there are plenty of opportunities to reach new customers and to continue to build the relationships with your current customers.”
In other words, get involved.
“Find a series, find a track, find a team and show them you are sincere and want to be a part of the action,” says Beatty from Red Line Oil. “There are many entry levels for shops of all sizes to become involved. You don’t need a crazy budget—what you need are the right people in the right places for your business.”
DRAG RACING PRODUCTS
HOT PRODUCT: 13-120 Small-Block Chevy Pre-1990 Deep T Sump Drag Race Pan
FEATURES & BENEFITS: Versatile pan offering superior oil control for both high-G cornering and extreme acceleration in street/strip and bracket applications; trap doors and baffling control oil movement; integrated windage tray; deep sump design; made in USA.
Canton Racing Products
Christian Goncalves
Marketing Coordinator
HOT PRODUCT: FTI 252mm 10R80 Torque Converter
FEATURES & BENEFITS: Billet cover; steel stator; mechanical diode; capable of handling 2,000 hp.
FTI Performance
Tom Kundrik
Director of Motorsports Sales
HOT PRODUCTS: Drag Racing Products
FEATURES & BENEFITS: With brands including RacePak, MSD, Stilo, Holley EFI, Holley carburetors, Accel, B&M, Earl’s, Flowmaster, HANS, Hooker, Hurst, Lakewood, Mallory, NOS, Quick Fuel, RaceQuip, Simpson, Weiand, Speartech and Mr. Gasket, we cover drag racing.
Holley Performance Brands
John McLeod
Senior Director Pro’s/Motorsports Sales, BU Leader Classic Instruments, Race Pak and Speartech
HOT PRODUCTS: Smart Start Electric Fans
FEATURES & BENEFITS: Eliminate in-rush current and transient voltage sag when the fan starts up, keeping fuel injection and ignition controls happy; same powerful airflow as our standard fans to keep hot race cars cool in the staging lanes.
Maradyne High Performance Fans
Scott Stutler
Key Account Manager
HOT PRODUCT: Updated F-4X-140-1 Supercharger
FEATURES & BENEFITS: Next evolution of record-setting ProCharger F-Series technology purpose-built for racers; updated aero package with an enlarged 14.5-inch housing, newly engineered high-efficiency impeller and a larger 5-inch outlet, all designed to maximize airflow.
ProCharger Superchargers
Walt Sipp
Director of Service and Motorsports
HOT PRODUCT: Nitro 70 Race Oil
FEATURES & BENEFITS: Protects 12,000-hp Top Fuel and Funny Car components in NHRA and IHRA engines including the main bearings, upper end and piston skirts; separates fuel from oil during a run.
Red Line Oil
Mark Beatty
Brand Director