2026 16th Annual FABO NHRA "Pick 'Em" Game - New Tracks, Lot's of Team Changes, Here We Go!!!

Congratulations to '64BEL' (FBBO) for winning the Top Picker Eliminator title for the inaugural NHRA Potomac Nationals presented by JEGS at Maryland International Raceway in Mechanicsville, MD, with an outstanding score of 157.0 points. He correctly picked the class winners in Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock. His Pro Stock Motorcycle pick broke in the first round of eliminations.
'TT5.9mag' (FABO) was right behind in the runner-up spot with 154.5 points. Way to go!

Here's where the bonus points were earned if you picked the right drivers:

Top Fuel
E.T. - Shawn Langdon, 3.718 during Round 1 of eliminations
Speed - Shawn Langdon, 338.00 during Round 1 of eliminations

Funny Car
E.T. - Jack Beckman, 3.923 during Round 3 of eliminations
Speed - Jack Beckman, 328.22 during Round 3 of eliminations

Pro Stock
E.T. - Greg Anderson, 6.464 during Round 2 of eliminations
Speed - Shane Tucker, 213.06 while losing during Round 1 of eliminations

Pro Stock Motorcycle
E.T. - Angie Smith, 6.683 while winning the final round of eliminations
Speed - Jianna Everisto, 204.98 during Round 1 of eliminations

There were lots of upsets during eliminations across all four professional classes. Only four game players escaped getting zero elimination round win points for one or more of their picks.

Here are the game point standings after the 7th event of the 2026 season:

747.5 - cuda20 (FABO) +1 change in the point standings
732.0 - ocdart (FABO) -1
724.0 - GTXDAN (FBBO) +2
716.0 - stroked340 (FABO) no change
672.0 - TT5.9mag (FABO) +5
666.5 - 62Dodge_ (FBBO) -3
652.0 - johnnycuda (FABO) -1
651.0 -Budnicks (FBBO) +3
621.0 - memike (FABO) no change
604.5 - 64BEL (FBBO) +4
590.5 - Back in Time (FABO) -4
570.0 - MeMikieJr (FABO) no change
569.5 - Pecos Bill (FBBO) no change
564.0 - Outlawd (FBBO) -6
535.0 - Yunick13 (FABO) +1
503.5 - alsant (FBBO) -1

The Potomac Nationals was the first of three consecutive weekends of NHRA national events.

The next race is scheduled for next weekend. The 13th annual NHRA New England Nationals presented by bproauto at New England Dragway in Epping, NH, June 5-7, the 8th event of the 2026 NHRA season.
nhra.com currently shows the following early class entry numbers:

16 - Top Fuel (1 driver will make their 2026 debut)
16 - Funny Car
16 - Pro Stock

Pro Stock Motorcycle will not compete at this event.

Matt Smith was at the track yesterday. During the television broadcast he said his hospitalization during the Potomac Nationals was due to a combination of gall stones, kidney stones, an inflamed pancreas, and two hernias. He also announced he will be skipping a few events to take care of his medical issues and currently plans to return for the U.S. Nationals. He didn't say for certain but I assume Chip Ellis will be on Matt's bike for the next few events as a medical replacement to accumulate points for Matt.

As always, please check to verify your picks are participating before posting your picks.
GOOD LUCK!