After years away, the Southeast Gassers Association isn’t just returning to Alabama—it’s making a statement.
Race two of the 2026 season lands in Woodstock, Alabama, where Holiday Raceway finally gets its long-anticipated debut as a SEGA host track. The event, known as The Bama Brawl presented by Superior Performance Transmissions, marks the association’s first championship stop in the state in nearly five years—and the first ever at this historic eighth-mile strip.
Originally slated for 2025, the debut was postponed by uncooperative weather, only building anticipation for what now feels like an overdue introduction. For longtime fans of both SEGA and grassroots drag racing, the wait may end up making this moment even more meaningful.
Holiday Raceway isn’t just another stop on the schedule—it’s a natural fit. Opened in 1968 and still family-owned, the facility carries the same spirit SEGA was built to preserve. From the look of the cars to the way they’re driven, everything about this series is rooted in the raw, mechanical intensity of 1960s drag racing. That makes this pairing feel less like a new venue and more like a return to where the sport belongs.
But while the setting is nostalgic, the competition is anything but relaxed.
Alabama racers are expected to defend their turf with authority. Much like NASCAR’s famed “Alabama Gang,” SEGA brings its own version into the spotlight this weekend—a group of drivers who have consistently set the standard across multiple classes. Names like Dean, Oden, and Rainwater aren’t just familiar—they’re proven. With championships spread across Super Stock, B/Gas, and A/Gas, Alabama’s presence runs deep in every category.
That depth raises the stakes heading into the weekend. A clean sweep by the home-state drivers isn’t out of the question—but it won’t come easy. SEGA’s traveling roster is filled with competitors eager to spoil the homecoming and claim bragging rights at a track none of them have raced under SEGA conditions.
The on-track action begins Friday evening with a dedicated test and tune session at 5:00 PM Central, giving teams a chance to dial in under race conditions. Gates open at 4:00 PM. Saturday shifts into full competition mode, with qualifying set for 1:00 PM Central and eliminations following shortly after. By day’s end, champions will be crowned the old-school way—heads-up, no excuses, and no room for error.
More than just a race, the Bama Brawl represents a collision of history, pride, and opportunity. A new track. A hungry field. And a home-state group with something to prove.
Whether Alabama holds strong or an outsider steals the spotlight, one thing is certain—Holiday Raceway’s first SEGA event won’t be forgotten anytime soon.
Our mission is to bring back the authentic drag racing from the 1960’s and to put on a show the whole family will love. The 1960’s produced some of the most exciting times in drag racing history and we are doing our best to preserve those time at the track. Our cars represent the gassers of that era as closely as possible. This means exciting wheels up launches, drivers banging gears with their four speeds, as well as the car’s appearance while sitting in the pits. Follow the Southeast Gassers Association on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X.
Dujunnea Bland is a NFL and NHRA reporter for SportsJourney. Bland was a New Orleans Saints Reporter and Content Producer for About.com and a contributor at USA TODAY SMG's Redskins Wire. You can follow him on Twitter @NotBland21
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