National Championship Air Races: A Thunderous Return to Roswell with Full 7-Class Lineup
The skies above Roswell, New Mexico are thundering this week as the 2026 National Championship Air Races (NCAR) — the world’s fastest motorsport — take center stage at the Roswell Air Center from September 16–20, 2026.
This year’s edition is already being hailed as a milestone event. For the first time since the races relocated from Reno-Stead Airport (their home for nearly 60 years) to Roswell, all seven racing classes are competing head-to-head:
- Jet
- Unlimited
- Sport
- T-6
- Formula One
- Biplane
- STOL Drag
The return of the Unlimited class, featuring heavily modified WWII-era piston-powered warbirds like the P-51 Mustang and F8F Bearcat, is a particular highlight for fans.
Adding even more spectacle, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds are making their Roswell debut this weekend (Friday through Sunday), performing over the desert venue for the first time. Race aircraft regularly exceed 500 mph as they navigate the closed-course pylons, with jet class pilots flying just 50 feet off the desert floor.
More than 100 aircraft and pilots are participating in the event, which also features:
- Static aircraft displays
- Warbird walk-arounds
- Military demonstrations
- Family-friendly exhibits
The races are organized by the Reno Air Racing Association (RARA), a non-profit group celebrating its 61st year of championship air racing.
Source: PilotMall – Roswell Air Races 2026: Dates, Tickets and Travel Guide