Three of drag racing’s most powerful categories will converge on Cecil County Dragway Sept. 25-26 for the Chesapeake Fall Classic presented by ARP Racing Products, a two-day event featuring Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, and Mountain Motor Pro Stock.
The Chesapeake Fall Classic brings a 16-car Top Alcohol Dragster field and eight-car Mountain Motor Pro Stock field to the historic Maryland facility, while Top Alcohol Funny Car has also been added to the marquee lineup. Top Sportsman, Top Dragster, 8.50 Index, and additional local categories will round out the weekend.
The event begins Friday, Sept. 25, with a full day of testing before transitioning into qualifying under the lights. Gates open at 8 a.m., with open testing scheduled from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Cecil County’s regularly scheduled Street Night will follow beginning at 6 p.m.
The first professional qualifying session is set for 7 p.m., featuring Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, Mountain Motor Pro Stock, 8.50 Index, Top Sportsman, and Top Dragster. The three headline categories – TAD, TAFC, and Mountain Motor Pro Stock – will return for a second qualifying session at 9 p.m.
Saturday’s program begins when gates open at 8 a.m. Test and tune starts at 10 a.m., along with time runs for the United Nostalgia Stock/Super Stock Series and Gambler competitors. Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, and Mountain Motor Pro Stock are scheduled for qualifying at noon, with eliminations beginning at 2 p.m. Final qualifying for 8.50 Index, Top Sportsman, and Top Dragster will also take place Saturday before eliminations.
The Chesapeake Fall Classic takes the place of Cecil County Dragway’s originally scheduled Friday Street Night and Saturday test-and-tune/UNSS program, though those activities remain part of the expanded weekend.
Chesapeake Fall Classic Schedule
Friday, Sept. 25: Gates open at 8 a.m.; testing from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Street Night begins at 6 p.m.; pro qualifying at 7 p.m.; second TAD, TAFC, and Mountain Motor Pro Stock qualifying session at 9 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 26: Gates open at 8 a.m.; test and tune begins at 10 a.m.; qualifying for TAD, TAFC, and Mountain Motor Pro Stock at noon; eliminations begin at 2 p.m.
General admission is $20 per day for adults and $10 per day for children ages 6-12. Racer entry fees range from $40 for Friday Street Night to $200 for Friday open testing, with separate entries available for 8.50 Index, Top Sportsman, Top Dragster, Saturday test and tune, UNSS, and the Gambler race.
This story was originally published on September 23, 2026. 
