Air Races lineup announced

The lineup of pilots and aircraft for the 2026 National Championship Air Races in Roswell has been announced by the Air Races’ producers.

The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) announced the lineups this week for the second annual National Championship Air Races at the Roswell Air Center (ROW).

The Air Races will run Sept. 16-20.

This year, fans will experience what a full house of action-packed racing looks like in Roswell, with the return of the Sport and Unlimited classes. All seven race classes will compete at Roswell for the first time, and a new course for the Jet class will be introduced, RARA announced.

To see the full list of racers and planes from each class or to purchase tickets, visit www.airrace.org

“We’re ecstatic to announce our September Family is whole once again at the National Championship Air Races,” said Fred Telling, CEO of RARA. “Following extensive, collaborative discussions across all classes, our vision of a wide-open, full house has come to fruition. This September, both first-time attendees and lifelong fans will experience the power of the complete racing roster roaring through Roswell.”

The 2026 lineup brings together an extraordinary field of aviation talent, including returning 2025 champions Josh Watson (Formula One), Tom Marden (Biplane), Chris LeFave (T-6), Bob McCormack (Jet) and Eddie Sanches (STOL — 2nd place).

The return of the Unlimited and Sport classes adds additional excitement, with competitors Steven Hinton, Vicky Benzing, Brent Hisey, Dennis Sanders, Tom McNerney, Conrad Huffstutler and more joining the action.

“Nearly 90 elite pilots from across the United States and around the globe, from Australia and Switzerland to Wyoming and California, will converge in Roswell to compete in one of aviation’s most thrilling spectacles,” NARA reported.

“The NCAR pilots will push their aircraft to the edge in the world’s only event featuring seven classes of high-speed, wingtip-to-wingtip air racing. As if the return of all seven race classes wasn’t thrilling enough, this year’s races will also feature the Jet Class “Mach Course” — a nod to the speed, sound and spectacle of jet racing,” the announcement said.

“While the 600-mph limit remains technically below the speed of sound, the new course represents a major step forward in competitive air racing performance, giving fans a longer, faster and more dynamic jet course under FAA-approved procedures and class qualification requirements,” NARA reported.

“Last year was a successful first year in our new home, but having the entire family back together this year is going to be fantastic. From the start, we knew ROW would expand what was possible for the National Championship Air Races,” said Tony Logoteta, president and COO of RARA.

“This year, that includes the debut of a new course and new aircraft, a pair of MiG-17s to be specific,” Logoteta said. “This represents a major milestone as a course of this size and speed simply wasn’t possible before. Roswell provides the space and operating environment needed to advance the sport safely and responsibly, and we’re grateful to the Jet Class, the FAA, Roswell Air Center, and everyone whose collaboration made this addition possible.”

Tickets are still available for this year’s races. From single-day to weeklong passes and hospitality packages, there are plenty of options for families, fans and road trippers alike to be a part of the air races this year, RARA reported.

While rooms in Roswell are limited, hotel and short-term rental options are also available in surrounding communities such as Artesia, Ruidoso, Alamogordo and Portales. Attendees looking for on-site options are encouraged to take advantage of the event’s increased RV camping availability, providing the easiest way to travel to ROW and attend the air races while enjoying plenty of space.

All lodging options can be viewed on the “Plan Your Trip” page of the National Championship Air Race’s website. Furthermore, those who wish to personally fly to Roswell can reserve aircraft parking spots at Roswell Air Center’s FBO, Avflight, website here.

While the 2026 event is set to return with all seven racing classes, there will also be performances by the USAF Thunderbirds, several “hands-on” displays and experiences including the STEM Education Discovery Zone, military and civilian demonstrations, incredible static displays, and more.

Woods heads up people moving

When they learned the National Championship Air Races were coming to Roswell, members of the New Mexico Pilots Association (NMPA) were excited to help ensure success.

Joyce Woods, an NMPA member and pilot from Albuquerque, spoke to the Roswell Rotary Club about moving people around the Sept. 16-20 Air Races, which are expected to attract 75,000-80,000 fans.

She said that to support the transition of the races from Reno, NMPA volunteers brought experience from hosting various aviation events statewide. Most served as “Wing Walkers” recruited by NMPA’s Chet Leach, helping safely move race and display aircraft, while others drove trams or worked in the VIP Chalets.

Joyce Woods

 

Joyce will lead an expanded People Mover operation at this year’s Air Races.

“While the huge Roswell ramp offers incredible potential for future event growth, it is many times larger than it was at Reno. The Reno Air Racing Association has secured nine Trams (vs. five last year) to help attendees get off their feet,” Joyce said.

“Thus, more volunteers are needed this year to manage the expected crowd increase, especially on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday — Sept. 18, 19, and 20. There will be defined stops and regular service serving Parking and RV lots, a main ramp loop, and the Pits, in addition to handicap shuttles.”

 

Addressing the Roswell Rotary Club, Joyce thanked 2025 volunteers, noting that “your members stepped up to make it happen last year!  You tackled first-year challenges, and many of you worked the entire week.”

Volunteers are being recruited beyond the Roswell Rotary, but Joyce said she’s “counting on you to return as the experienced core.”

Subtle changes should make it easier and more fun with scheduled breaks, a volunteer break tent, and so forth, she added.

Joyce stressed the importance of the People Mover team to ensure return visitors: “You set the tone as the first and last people that attendees see. Rides offer welcome relief throughout the day and help visitors enjoy the full event.”

 

Joyce is a retired engineer and has been flying since 1993. For the 2025 race week, Joyce flew to Roswell in her Cessna Hawk XP and shares her favorable experience to encourage other fly-in visitors.

The New Mexico Pilots Association promotes general aviation, aviation safety, pilot camaraderie, and preservation of airfields and airspace.  Members include private and commercial pilots who fly for recreation, business, or personal transportation.

The Roswell Rotary Club is currently lining up members to help move fans around the National Air Races grounds.

Steve Smith, the club president, reported that openings for members include: Tram driver, tram conductor, tram stop attendant, and handicap shuttle driver.

Last year, Rotary Club members worked 478 hours helping move fans around the National Championship Air Races, Smith said.