Import Face Off: The Ultimate Import Drag Racing and Car Show Experience in 2026

Import Face-Off (IFO) is one of the most recognized grassroots import drag racing and car show series in the United States. Since its beginning in 2001, the event has developed from a local Louisiana race into a nationwide touring series that brings together racers, modified-car enthusiasts, show cars, trucks, motorcycles, vendors, DJs, and automotive communities. The official organization describes IFO as the largest continually running national import show and race series in the country, with more than 40 events held across the United States annually.

For automotive enthusiasts, Import Face Off is much more than a traditional drag race. It combines quarter-mile racing, car shows, burnout competitions, stereo contests, low-car limbo, 2-step competitions, drifting, vendors, and entertainment into a single automotive-focused event. The 2026 schedule continues that nationwide tradition with stops across multiple regions.

What Is Import Face Off?

Import Face Off is a traveling automotive event series centered on import vehicles and the broader performance-car community. The series was founded by Cliff Wallace in 2001 after he and other local import enthusiasts wanted a dedicated event where they could compete and showcase their cars. Wallace originally owned a supercharged, nitrous-equipped Acura Integra and decided to create an event when local racing opportunities did not provide the type of import-focused competition enthusiasts wanted.

The first event attracted more than 1,900 attendees despite poor weather forecasts, helping demonstrate the demand for a dedicated import racing and show environment. Over the following years, IFO expanded throughout the United States. According to its official history, the organization celebrated its 500th event in March 2021 and has grown to more than 100,000 attendees passing through its gates annually.

The appeal comes from its grassroots atmosphere. Rather than focusing exclusively on professional-level racing, Import Face Off gives everyday enthusiasts opportunities to race, display, modify, compete, socialize, and connect with other automotive fans.

Import Face Off 2026 Schedule

The 2026 Import Face-Off schedule includes dozens of events throughout the year. Dates and locations can change, so checking the official schedule before traveling is important. The published 2026 calendar includes events in Florida, Mississippi, Arizona, California, Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, North Carolina, Utah, Illinois, Ohio, Washington, New Hampshire, Louisiana, Kansas, Oregon, New York, Alabama, Nevada, and other locations.

Some of the listed 2026 dates include:

• January 4 – Gainesville, Florida
• January 11 – Gulfport, Mississippi
• January 18 – Chandler, Arizona
• February 15 – Pensacola, Florida
• February 22 – Bakersfield, California
• March 1 – Houston, Texas
• March 8 – Ennis, Texas
• March 15 – Noble, Oklahoma
• March 29 – Rockingham, North Carolina
• April 12 – Madison, Illinois
• April 19 – Hebron, Ohio
• April 26 – Kent, Washington
• May 3 – Epping, New Hampshire
• May 17 – Wichita, Kansas
• May 24 – Woodburn, Oregon
• May 31 – Joliet, Illinois
• June 6 – Tulsa, Oklahoma
• July 19 – Loudon, New Hampshire
• July 26 – West Lebanon, New York
• August 8 – Concord, North Carolina
• August 15 – Madison, Illinois
• August 23 – Kent, Washington
• September 5 – Hebron, Ohio
• September 27 – Epping, New Hampshire
• October 4 – Woodburn, Oregon
• October 10 – Gainesville, Florida
• October 18 – Tulsa, Oklahoma
• October 25 – Xenia, Ohio
• November 8 – Ennis, Texas
• November 15 – Mobile, Alabama
• December 6 – Las Vegas, Nevada
• December 13 – Avondale, Louisiana

The official schedule identifies these dates as subject to change, making the official IFO website the best place to verify an event before making travel arrangements.

What Can We Expect at an Import Face Off Event?

An IFO event typically combines several different automotive activities. The centerpiece is 1/4-mile drag racing, where competitors bring purpose-built race cars, heavily modified street cars, and other performance vehicles to compete.

However, racing represents only part of the experience. The event also features a car, truck, and bike show, allowing owners to display vehicles based on appearance, modification quality, craftsmanship, and presentation.

Other activities can include a burnout contest, low-car limbo, 2-step competition, stereo contest, DJs, vendors, and a pit midway. The official IFO description specifically lists these activities as part of its overall event format.

This variety makes Import Face Off attractive to people who may not want to race. Someone can attend simply to see unusual builds, talk with other enthusiasts, shop with vendors, photograph vehicles, listen to music, or experience the atmosphere surrounding grassroots drag racing.

How Does Import Face Off Drag Racing Work?

The drag racing component is one of the biggest attractions at Import Face Off. Competitors race down a quarter-mile drag strip, with performance depending on factors such as horsepower, traction, vehicle weight, transmission setup, tires, driver skill, and tuning.

Historically, IFO has included multiple racing categories designed to accommodate different types of builds. Past event coverage has documented categories involving front-wheel-drive cars, all-motor vehicles, forced-induction cars, street-oriented builds, and highly modified competition vehicles.

That range is important because import performance culture includes everything from relatively simple street cars to extremely powerful turbocharged machines.

For example, earlier Import Face Off events have produced impressive quarter-mile performances. MotorTrend documented competitors running into the single-digit quarter-mile range, demonstrating how seriously some teams approach IFO competition.

The exact classes, technical requirements, entry fees, and rules can vary by event, so racers should review the current rules and registration information before attending.

Import Face Off Car Shows and Automotive Culture

The car-show side of Import Face Off is just as important as the racing. Visitors can see a wide range of builds representing different automotive styles and generations.

Expect to encounter Honda, Acura, Nissan, Toyota, Mitsubishi, Mazda, Subaru, Volkswagen, Lexus, BMW, and many other performance-oriented vehicles, alongside trucks, motorcycles, and unconventional builds. The broader show environment allows enthusiasts to appreciate everything from engine swaps and forced-induction systems to suspension setups, wheels, paintwork, interiors, audio installations, and creative fabrication.

Import Face Off has also maintained a strong connection with grassroots automotive culture. DrivingLine’s coverage of the series emphasized its focus on bringing import drag racing directly to enthusiasts rather than attempting to compete with large professional racing organizations.

That community-centered approach helps explain why IFO has remained relevant for so many years.

How Much Does Import Face Off Cost?

Ticket prices can vary by venue and event, so checking the individual track’s event page is recommended. For example, information published for the October 10, 2026 Gainesville event lists $25 adult spectator admission, with children 10 and under admitted free. Other options include pit-side parking and separate registration prices for car shows, stereo contests, and drag racing.

The same Gainesville information lists a $50 drag-racer entry, while judged and non-judged car-show entries have separate fees. Low-car limbo and 2-step competition are listed as free once inside.

Because prices and schedules can differ, we should always verify the specific event before purchasing tickets or registering a vehicle.

Why Import Face Off Remains Popular in 2026

The continuing popularity of Import Face Off comes from its ability to combine racing with an accessible automotive community. Professional racing can sometimes feel distant from ordinary enthusiasts, while IFO provides a place where local builders, racers, show-car owners, clubs, families, and spectators can participate in the same event.

Its history also demonstrates remarkable longevity. From a single Louisiana event in 2001, IFO has become a national series with hundreds of events and a substantial annual audience.

For 2026, the extensive touring schedule means enthusiasts across many parts of the United States have opportunities to attend without necessarily traveling across the country. Whether the goal is to watch quarter-mile racing, enter a car show, compete in a contest, meet other builders, or simply enjoy modified cars, Import Face Off offers a broad automotive experience.

Final Thoughts

Import Face Off 2026 continues a tradition that began more than two decades ago. Its combination of drag racing, car shows, burnouts, audio competitions, low-car limbo, 2-step contests, vendors, DJs, and grassroots automotive culture makes it considerably more than a conventional race day.

For anyone interested in import performance cars and automotive culture, an IFO event can provide an opportunity to see serious race builds alongside creative street cars and enthusiast projects. With a large 2026 touring schedule, there are numerous chances to experience the series throughout the United States. Before attending, we should confirm the date, venue, admission price, registration requirements, and event schedule because individual events and policies can change. and policies can change.