Top Fuel Motorcycle 2026: What’s Happening and Why

Story and photos by Senior Editor Tom McCarthy

Many fans and racers concerned with the premier class of motorcycle drag racing are wondering these days, what’s happening with Top Fuel motorcycle drag racing, and why? It’s a very valid question, worthy of much thought and discussion, so we here at Dragbike.com will do our best to address this pressing issue and provide some answers. We have interacted with several prominent members of the Top Fuel Motorcycle community, and we will share their thoughts and commentary, as well as offer some historical perspective on this topic.

Coming into the spring of the 2026 competition year, Top Fuel motorcycle teams across the USA were gearing up for an exciting season of Top Fuel motorcycle drag racing with the IHRA, the International Hot Rod Association and the AMRA, the American Motorcycle Racing Association, each offering up high quality entertainment for both the I-4 bikes (Inline four cylinder motorcycles) and the V-Twin hybrids known as Top Fuel Harley motorcycles. AMRA slated six national events with its marquee, and the IHRA was boasting big-money purses, and its number of races varied from month to month, showing an unsettling, developing management system that was revolving like a turnstile since new ownership took hold.

By summertime, the historic IHRA began coming apart like a Top Fuel motor with a broken crankshaft, with all the metal carnage being thrown about on social media. This is very unfortunate in the extreme. The IHRA has played a very important role in Top Fuel motorcycle drag racing history; the first 6-second pass by a TF bike was run in 1986 at an IHRA event in Bristol, Tennessee. In the late 1990’s and well into the 2000’s, the IHRA was home to some of the best Top Fuel Harley drag racing ever witnessed in the class’s history.

Jay Turner won his first #1 plate as a national champion with IHRA in 1999, after ten long years of battling it out with the likes of, Jim McClure, Johnny Mancuso, Bill Furr, Doug Vancil, Mike & Jack Romine, Bobby Spina, Steve Stordeur, Mark Conner-John Marchman, Drums & DJ.

The IHRA has been VERY important to T/F motorcycles for decades, and before this summer’s last warm breeze passes into fall 2026, the IHRA will either pass into history or rise again like a Phoenix from the ashes of what once was. But first, many legal issues prevail. This may go well or not; time will tell.

No matter what happens with one sanction, the other, the AMRA, has provided a home to fuel bikes since its inception in 1985, and it continues to this very day, over four decades later. For the foreseeable future, the American Motorcyclist Racing Association not only welcomes Top Fuel Harleys with the Circle M Ranch, Johnny Mancuso, Top Fuel motorcycle drag racing series; within the last few seasons, AMRA has been experimenting with having other forms of Top Fuel bikes making passes and putting more fans in the stands.

Jaska’s bike thrilled everyone with exhibition passes at the 2025 Jim McClure World Finals. Jay Rogers and AMRA leader Greg Baugh worked together to bring Nostalgia Fuel and Vintage Fuel bikes into a points series in 2026. Exhibition T/F bikes, in addition to the T/F, NFB, and P/F classes, are certainly a draw at AMRA events

More nitro, more fans. It’s working. Top Fuel motorcycle isn’t going by the wayside anytime soon. In fact, it’s growing.

Jay Turner Racing has new bikes under construction; new orders are being filled. The Hawaya Racing Pro Fuel class, the stepping stone to fuel bike racing, is not only hosting full fields at every event but also growing. As the classroom goes, so go the students. The future is what the racers make it.

So with that in mind, let’s look at what the racers have to say about where Top Fuel Motorcycle is and where it’s going. The following racers were all asked the same question; their responses follow in their own words.

The posed:

“What’s happening in TF MC, and where do you see it going?”

Jimmy McMillian

“The future is growing. Just look at the number of new riders on carburetor bikes. That’s a little window into the future. Ask any of them where they want to be, and they will tell you Top Fuel is their goal.”

“The one and only Burt Baker just got licensed in Byron at the AMRA event. My teammate Cameron Gunter, or “Flash” as we call him, made the move to Top Fuel this season. Bikes are being built, and the sorcery of nitro is not the greatest hurdle anymore. A phone call to Jay Turner or Mike Romine can get you on a bike to test and possibly race for minimal overhead…I bet that’s part of what helped lure NHRA ProStock legends into the saddle of these beasts was the ease at which they could do it. That and the huge pay-outs offered by the IHRA at the time.”

“There are several tuners for hire too, and priceless free advice from racers if you are interested in buying a bike and doing it yourself. Not that any of this is easy, but I believe it’s as easy as it has ever been.”

“The future is innovating. Looking across the pond, I see innovation with forced induction and automotive-inspired clutch systems. Mike Romine is running an automotive-style clutch system in Stewart Racing’s bike that Samu has been racing. It used the same clutch pack all weekend at AMRA in Byron.”

“Red Rhea is ironing out the bugs in his tune on his new extended-wheelbase bike that Tii Tharpe is now piloting. That thing shows some serious 60’ times…and when he gets a handle on it we will all have to step it up. Jay Turner also has his ProCharged bike that’s been parked for a bit, but he’s got other awesome things up his sleeve that is in the works.”

“The future is exciting. The AMRA is our home, and it is looking stronger than ever. With six races spaced out throughout the year, we offer a show no one else can that most everyone can afford and attend. Livestreams with the occasional guest appearance by announcers give those at home the best views and informed insights to keep up with the race, even if they can’t attend. With new riders and fan favorites, new bikes and seasoned winners, innovation and old reliable, our future is filled with excitement for everyone who wants to get some.”

Johnny Red Rhea

“My opinion on Top Fuel motorcycle in America, for the next five years: there’s an “aging-out” of a lot of the competitors, older and not able to participate in the financial side of it.  It’s getting so expensive, but there will always be somebody, a few, who can afford it. Given the current situation with sanctioning bodies that host the events, unless something changes there, I don’t see the class having much headway.

It will still exist but it’s probably going to be minimal at most. The equipment is aged out especially in the Nitro Harley stuff, and it’s so expensive to go in and build new stuff, plus there’s no suppliers of parts to speak of, and because of the cost of everything, materials and goods& such, I don’t see no one stepping up to make that kind of investment to make heads, cases, engines, flywheels, and so it’s going to be tough.  It will continue to exist, but on what level I’m not sure.”

Chris Stewart

“I think Top Fuel Motorcycle is at an important point right now. In my opinion, Top Fuel Harley took a little bit of a hit from the IHRA schedule. That much racing put a lot of financial strain on teams, and I think it showed us that for this class to grow, it also has to be financially sustainable for the racers who support it. But with those challenges came many positives. It brought attention and excitement back to Top Fuel motorcycle racing. We’re seeing renewed interest in the class, new riders wanting to get involved, and people talking about Top Fuel motorcycles again.

“I think the last few years have also helped racers, teams, promoters and sanctioning bodies take a closer look at what we want this class to become. We’ve learned a lot about what works, what doesn’t, and what it takes to keep these motorcycles on the track. As far as where I see it going, I’m very optimistic. I think you’re going to see more cooperation between the teams, promoters and organizations that support us. We all have the same basic goal: build the class, put on a great show for the fans, attract new racers and sponsors, and create a program that makes financial sense for the teams.”

“One area I’m personally hopeful that I can help with is bringing additional class sponsors into Top Fuel Motorcycle racing. If we can develop more sponsorship support, and use that to increase purses, and provide more financial support for the racers, I think that can have a tremendous impact on the future of the class. These teams spend a tremendous amount of money just getting these motorcycles to the starting line, and stronger financial support gives racers a reason to keep investing in the class.”

“I also think that support will drive innovation. When teams aren’t spending every dollar just trying to make the next race, they have the opportunity to think outside the box and invest more time and money in research and development. That’s how we continue to improve these machines, develop new technology, and push Top Fuel Motorcycle racing forward. These are some of the fastest and most exciting motorcycles in the world, and I believe there is a tremendous future ahead of us. The interest is there, the talent is there and the technology is there. Now it’s about all of us working together through the proper channels, bringing more financial support into the class, and building something that’s sustainable for the racers, exciting for the fans, and valuable for the sponsors who support us. If we can accomplish that, I think you’re going to see Top Fuel Motorcycle racing grow again—and you’re going to see racers start pushing the boundaries of what these motorcycles are capable of.”

Micah Fenwick

“Well, as you know, we were all looking forward to this upcoming year with IHRA, as it would’ve been the best thing ever, and with eight bikes showing up at each event. It all certainly looked promising, but this is racing, and anything can happen, and it did. So after some good talks with John Alwine about the whole situation, he has a great idea that I think will work.

Though he doesn’t have a personal bike Alwine Racing is campaigning, John cares about the class and wants to see it to continue to grow. Instead of going after these organizations, NHRA/IHRA, etc. He feels the best thing we can do at this stage is to find that one guy/woman that’s not a racer, that can go out and promote our class, and do four or five races held at Jet Car Shows and exhibition shows.  With a 4- to 6 Bike race, with everybody being paid the same amount. The winner gets bragging rights and maybe a trophy. Perhaps something financial at the end of the year, with extra money of some sort.

We need to find that one person to promote it who can go out and get us a sponsor or multiple sponsors to pay us, along with the tracks paying us as well; something you and I have both seen how much attraction these jet car shows can bring. I’ve seen it at Martin Michigan, and with Jason Pridemore at the fire show that happens at Norwalk every year. Jet cars, wheel standers- exciting stuff like that brings people to the track, and that’s where we need to be.

I feel paying NHRA $60,000 just to race with them, plus coming up with money to pay ourselves, was a little tough. I’m sure we could go back to NHRA, but we need $100,000 for them and us. I can’t see that happening anytime soon. Larry, I’m sure he isn’t going to be interested in any of this, and that’s OK; I understand, but I think I can get four bikes to show up at the race and at least put on a show, so I’ve started to do a little digging to find a promoter for someone who’s willing to step up and help the class out. I’ve got a few people in mind; if you can think of anyone, my ears are open, bud. We’ve got to start looking at next year right now, not in January or February of 2027.”

Ryan Peery

“Well, right now it’s tough, as everyone knows. Five months ago we were starting one of the best years we’ve ever had, at least in my 13 years of being around. Now, it feels like everyone is in limbo. I don’t think anyone has heard anything official from IHRA. The rumors change every week: maybe there’s a buyer, maybe it’ll start back up, and maybe everyone will get paid, maybe none of it. Wait a week or a day and the rumors will change.

Thankfully, we still have the AMRA. We’ve always supported them, and they’ve supported us. It’s unfortunate about the TFM class. They pushed all their chips in with IHRA, which was the right decision at the time, but now they’re sitting at home. I hope another sanction sees the benefit of having them and picks them up; they need a place to run.

As for the future, no one knows. We have ideas, and we’re talking with each other. We’ve done some matching racing and put on shows before, so we’ll fill in where we can. We all have the same goal: for our classes to succeed. One thing for sure is, we aren’t going away!”

Tracy Kile

“The Harley bike count for Top Fuel is still strong as ever. Look at the bike count for the carbureted bikes, always a full field. I think we are in great shape. Thanks to the “All Harley” racing and the AMRA, we will always have a place to race. That’s why we (Bad Apple Racing) always kept them on our schedule; we never went away.”

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Jay Turner

“Here at Jay Turner Racing, I have new TF bikes to build, bikes to service for the next race; this season is not over yet. I hope to have the new project ready for testing by the end of the season, and whatever unfolds, JTR will be ready for it.”

Chris Smith

“You know, as a whole, I feel like Top Fuel Motorcycle is down right now. Costs keep going up, parts are harder to find, and purses continue to drop, and the grandstands have fewer and fewer people in them. I Feel like our sport needs some new competitors, new sponsors, and more races to get the excitement up.

That being said, TF Harley is lucky to have people like Johny Mancuso, who’s been putting up extra money for the class, and organizations like AMRA that continue to give us a place to race, unlike the inline guys, who really don’t have an organization to run with anymore. I will say the bikes and riders coming out are really competitive, though, and we’ve seen some incredibly tight racing over the last few years. You have to be consistent. You have to be fast, and you have to be good on the tree.  I’ll believe in the sport, though, and know that things will get better here in the future. I am such a believer; I am building a new bike.”

Other Top Fuel News

International Top Fuel bike racer Jaska Salakari, of Vantaa, Finland, recently suffered a serious cardiac event on August 5, 2026. By the miracles of modern medicine, he was revived and is recovering nicely. Initial indications are that he will likely recover fully.

Korry Hogan

Retired Top Fuel motorcycle standout Korry Hogan, on August 16th, suffered a horrific off-track injury while doing some land clearing. Korry was inadvertently splashed with gasoline, which ignited, engulfing him in a ball of flames. He was quick to stop, drop, and roll, thereby minimizing his extensive injuries. Korry suffered extensive second- and third-degree burns and has a painful recovery ahead of him. Being the tough nut that he is, he will fully recover and will press on, like the trooper he is, and always will be.  Mr. 255 is alive and well, with a few new battle scars – proof of a warrior’s life undaunted, still standing.

Top Fuel motorcycle drag racing in Canada is alive and well. The Western Canada Top Fuel Nitro Bike Racing Series is in full swing at Mission Race Raceway Park in B.C. Canada. This four-race series is held at the same track, with races in May, June, August, and September. That break in July is a welcome one in the heat of the summer. Big guns like Damian Cownden, with his supercharged T/F Harley, and long-time veteran Nate Gagnon are running 6.20s, as quick as any in the AMRA. Austin Christopher, Pete Waugh, Ron Billet, Dana Meeks, and Jim Schellenberg are all active, and others are still eager to return to T/F competition. The economy continues to play a big role in who can and can’t afford to roll out their Top Fuel bikes.

Until Next time… – Tom McCarthy E-mail Tom on Facebook