Add These Must-See Events to Your Race Season Line-Up

As the spring thaw settles in, car enthusiasts across the nation slowly begin to emerge from the dark sanctuary of their garages. Sleepy eyes blinking against the bright sunshine. Disbelief etched on their faces. As comprehension slowly dawns… The gloomy curtain of winter sadness has, once again, lifted to reveal something better than warm weather and blue skies: RACE SEASON.

That’s right friends, it’s finally here: the most wonderful time of the year. We’ve compiled a list of some major racing events happening over the next few months that you should start penciling into your calendar now. From off-road to drag strip, UTV to traditional muscle, there’s a little bit of everything and whole lotta zoom. Let’s make this race season epic!

BF Goodrich Tires Mint 400

Instituted in 1968 as a public relations stunt, this intense racing event winds through 400 miles of Las Vegas desert. Growing in popularity over the years (especially recently, now that it is owned by action sports filmmakers, the Martelli Brothers), the Mint 400 is commonly referred to as the “The Great American Off-Road Race.”

2019’s iteration of this can’t-miss desert racing event runs March 6 – 10. And for the first time since 1976, motorcycles will return—competing on a grueling single-track course. A second racing day has also been added to the docket, ensuring big crowds and bigger thrills. Modern off-road technology combined with a classic racing vibe? Count us in!

2019 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series

The 18th race season of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series kicked off February 1 in Orlando. But with 44 divisional and 25 regional events, there is still plenty of high-octane fun to be found over the next few months. A new location joins the lineup this year (the Tucson Raceway in Arizona) and some exciting doubleheaders are scheduled at the Texas Motorplex, Mission Raceway, Heartland Motorsports Park and Sonoma Raceway.

Race Season is upon us, friends. Start adding these events to your calendar, now!

Check out the NHRA’s official website for the full schedule to find a race near you!

Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series

Kicking off March 16 with the SoCal Shootout at the Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, California, the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series blends modern West Coast vibes with traditional Midwest short-course racing. Eleven classes featuring UTVs, karts, buggies, and mid-size and full-size trucks, brings intense 4×4 action in all shapes and sizes.

These events run like giant, family-friendly festivals—so take advantage! Bring the kiddos, visit the pits, meet the drivers, and mingle with fellow fans. It’s a great way to build enthusiasm in little gearheads!

50th Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals

As part of the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, the Gatornationals is one of the NHRA’s longest standing annual events. Running March 14 – 17 at the spirited Gainesville Raceway in Florida, this year marks a special 50th anniversary of intense drag-racing fun.

With plenty of NHRA legends in attendance—eight of whom will compete in a special “Unfinished Business” event—this would be a great opportunity to get some autographed memorabilia and enviable Instagram photos!

Toughest Monster Truck Tour

The Toughest Monster Truck Tour, featuring the best-of-the-best, started in January but runs into mid-April, ending with a championship weekend April 13 in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Bring the kids (and some ear plugs) and spend some time at the Pit Party.

Race Season is upon us, friends. Start adding these events to your calendar, now!

Monster Truck drivers are known for enthusiastically interacting with their fans—so feel free to ask plenty of questions about the custom-built 12,000-lb beasts they use to plow through those obstacle courses.

2019 IHRA Summit Sportsman Spectacular

Featuring 16 races over eight weekends, “The best value in bracket racing will get even better in 2019 as competitors will now earn local track championship points at each IHRA Summit Sportsman Spectacular event,” says the association.

Race Season is upon us, friends. Start adding these events to your calendar, now!

The race season kicked off in early February, but features events in March, May, June, July, and August throughout the Midwest and East Coast. Check the official schedule on the IHRA website so you can hit your local track and discover exciting new mods that current drivers are choosing when consistency, rather than speed, is the name of the game!

USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car Tour

With 44 races in 12 different states, the 10th Annual USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car Tour kicked off with a bang back in February. The next race, amping up the bulk of the season, takes places on March 30 at the Lawrenceburg Speedway in Indiana.

Events continue straight through November, with July being the busiest month, seeing 10 races over 23 nights. Now’s the time to add a race season highlight to your summer vacation!

33rd Annual SCORE San Felipe 250

Running April 3 – 7, this single-loop off-road motorsport race runs 250 miles through the Mexican desert near San Felipe on the Baja California Peninsula. The event serves as season opener for the 2019 SCORE World Desert Championship and will feature some of the world’s best competitors in a variety of classes, including cars, trucks, UTVs, motorcycles and quads.

Race Season is upon us, friends. Start adding these events to your calendar, now!

Details on the course are still TBA, so keep a close eye on the website for updates!

UTV World Championship

The powersports market continues to grow, so why not hit up the largest UTV racing event in the world and see what all the buzz is about? In its fifth year, the 2019 UTV World Championship runs April 4 – 7 in Laughlin, Nevada.

Also owned and operated by the Martelli Brothers, the event is high-energy and high-profile. Last year’s race was live-streamed, reaching over 150,000 people and becoming the most visible UTV race on the planet!

11th Annual NMRA/NMCA All-Star Nationals

Watch the best racers from NMRA and NMCA face off over one action-packed weekend at the premier Atlanta Dragway, April 4 – 7. As only one of two events where you can see both groups compete, its great location pulls some of the best stars and cars, making for a truly exciting event.

Race Season is upon us, friends. Start adding these events to your calendar, now!

With big muscle on the track and big money on the line, this is a thrilling event for enthusiasts and racers alike.

2019 Ultra4 Eastern Series

Not long after King of the Hammers wrapped up, a new season of intense off-road racing launches April 12 – 13 in Pittsburg, Tennessee for the 2019 Ultra4 Eastern Series.

Race Season is upon us, friends. Start adding these events to your calendar, now!

Drivers plow through 120 different trails across the 500-acre host property, testing their skills and delighting audiences. The race is a qualifier for KOH 2020 (4400 Class), so be sure to keep an eye out for any up-and-coming talent to follow.

Hoosier Racing Tire SCCA Super Tour

From January to July, the Hoosier Super Tour features 11 events of top-level amateur racing, at premier raceways across the country. April 12 – 14 at the VIRginia International Raceway should prove particularly exciting, as VIR will host the 56th 2019 SCCA Runoffs in October, and many drivers are expected to use the weekend as a warm-up.

This event also launches the Northeast Conference 2019 U.S. Majors Tour, and is one of only two three-day race weekends on the Northeast Conference schedule.

World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series

Kicking off with the 48th Annual DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park in February, the 92-race World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car series will span 25 states in total, spending the entire month of March in California and slowly making its way across the country with high-speed action and big prize payouts.

Race Season is upon us, friends. Start adding these events to your calendar, now!

For those who can’t attend, all 92 nights will be broadcast Live on DIRTVision.com. So there’s no need to miss any new trends, faces, partners, or excitement!

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