90 Boats, 150 MPH: Ride Legal and Dirt Legal Race at the 2026 Clearwater Offshore Nationals

The 2026 XINSURANCE Clearwater Offshore Nationals hits Clearwater Beach September 25 through 27, and it's the biggest fleet the event has ever seen. Roughly 90 offshore race boats, some stretching 50 feet long, will run just off Pier 60 on September 26 and 27, hitting speeds up to 150 mph. Both the Ride Legal and Dirt Legal race teams are competing this year, and the whole weekend is free to watch from the beach and the pier. Here's what to know before the horns sound.

What Is the Clearwater Offshore Nationals, and Why Does It Matter?

The Clearwater Offshore Nationals is a stop on the Race World Offshore circuit, the top tour in American offshore powerboat racing. Teams run purpose-built race boats in tight brackets by class, and points earned at each stop carry through the season.

This year's Clearwater race carries extra weight. It's the last Race World Offshore event before the Key West World Championships in November, and a team needs at least two qualifying races on the books to earn a spot at Key West. For a lot of boats in the fleet, this weekend decides whether they race for a world title at all.

Event Details: Dates, Location, and Schedule

The event runs September 25 through 27, 2026, with race days on Saturday, September 26, and Sunday, September 27. Boats run their courses just offshore from Pier 60 in Clearwater Beach, Florida, one of the few spots in the country where you can watch 150 mph offshore racing from the sand.

Watching from the beach and the pier is free. If you're staying farther down the coast, the Jolley Trolley runs between Pier 60 and Sand Key Park all weekend, so you don't need a car to catch the action.

A Record Fleet: 90 Boats and Growing

Around 90 offshore race boats have registered for this year's Clearwater Nationals, the largest field the event has drawn. Some of these boats run 50 feet long, powered by engines built to push them past 150 mph in open water. Racing that close to shore means spectators get a view most offshore fans never see: full-speed passes, tight turns, and rooster tails you can watch build from the beach instead of a boat.

Ride Legal Races in Class 600

Ride Legal's race team lines up in Class 600 this year, part of the same fleet chasing points toward Key West. We wrote about what goes into running this program last year in The Precision Principle: Inside Team Ride Legal and the White-Glove World of Offshore Power, which is still the best look at how the team operates off the water.

Scott McCormick, Throttleman
A veteran of offshore competition, Scott brings the throttle control and race day instincts that can separate a podium finish from a photo finish aboard the #611 Velocity.

Bob Spitulski, Driver
Steady hands at speed, Bob's precision in the cockpit helps keep the Velocity Ride Legal boat on line through rough offshore conditions.

Follow the team on Instagram at @velocitypowerboats for race-day content and behind-the-scenes updates.

You can follow the Class 600 field, including Ride Legal's entry, on the official Bracket Class 6 standings page. Racing is part of what we're about at Ride Legal. If you want to see more of what our team does on and off the course, check out our racing page.

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Dirt Legal's Factory Team Leads Class 700

Dirt Legal's team is having a season worth watching. The Dirt Legal Velocity Factory Team, boat #789, currently sits in first place in Class 700 with 1,208 points after the Atlantic City race, a healthy lead heading into Clearwater.

Brad Christopher, Driver
Brad brings confidence, sharp instincts, and steady control to the cockpit, helping keep Team Dirt Legal competitive at every start.

Connor Langheim, Throttleman
Connor manages the timing, rhythm, and quick decisions that keep the team in sync and pushing hard through the course.

Follow the Dirt Legal Velocity Factory Team on Instagram at @velocity_factory_race_team_789 for race updates, team content, and behind-the-scenes coverage.

You can check the live Bracket Class 7 standings to follow along, and see the full program on the Dirt Legal racing page.

Who Else Is Racing in Class 700

Dirt Legal isn't running away with it uncontested. Here's the rest of the Class 700 field to watch this weekend:

• REDRUM, boat #730, 907 points, @team_redrum_racing730
• Pist'n Broke, boat #744, 681 points, @pist_n_broke744
• Red Rocket, boat #735, 511 points
• Shocker Offshore Racing, boat #714, 384 points, @shockeroffshore
• SafeCash Racing, boat #742, 288 points, @safecashracing742
• Team Progression, boat #721, 120 points, @_teamprogression_
• Back In Business, boat #731, 120 points, @backinbusinessoffshoreracing
• Mad Max Racing, boat #777, 120 points

Any one of these boats could close the gap on Dirt Legal's lead with a strong finish in Clearwater.

The Team to Beat: Last Year's Champions

Last year's overall Clearwater Offshore Nationals champion was Monster Energy / M-CON Racing. The team has the resume to back it up: 2025 USA National Champions in Factory Stock, 2023 World Champions in Factory Stock, and a Kilo Speed world record in the 450R class, plus a third-place national finish in 2025. Follow the team at @mconracing for a look at what set the pace last year.

Also worth a follow: @gcracing_32, who took third place at the 2025 Clearwater Offshore Nationals and will be back in the mix this year.

How the 2026 Points Race Is Shaping Up

The full season standings, updated after every stop, are posted on the official 2026 Results page. With Clearwater as the last chance to lock in a Key West qualifying spot, expect every class, including Ride Legal's Class 600 and Dirt Legal's Class 700, to race harder than usual.

What to Expect on Race Weekend

Clearwater Beach turns into a front-row seat for offshore racing on September 26 and 27. Expect the sound of big-block engines carrying across the water before you even spot the boats, then a full-speed pass close enough to feel the spray. It's a free, family-friendly weekend with food, crowds along the beach and pier, and a simple ride in via the Jolley Trolley if you're coming from Sand Key Park or elsewhere on the beach.

Follow the Teams This Race Weekend

Ride Legal and Dirt Legal are both on the water this weekend, and the quickest way to catch every heat, pass, and result is on social. Follow Ride Legal and Dirt Legal for real-time updates from Pier 60, and keep an eye on the rest of the Class 700 field: REDRUM, Pist'n Broke, Shocker Offshore Racing, SafeCash Racing, Team Progression, and Back In Business, along with last year's champs at @mconracing and @gcracing_32. It's shaping up to be the biggest Clearwater Nationals yet.

FAQ

When is the 2026 Clearwater Offshore Nationals?

The event runs September 25 through 27, 2026, with race days on Saturday, September 26, and Sunday, September 27, off Pier 60 in Clearwater Beach, Florida.

Where can I watch the Clearwater Offshore Nationals, and is it free?

Yes, watching from Clearwater Beach and Pier 60 is free. The Jolley Trolley also runs between Pier 60 and Sand Key Park throughout the weekend for spectators staying farther down the beach. If you can't attend in person, you can also watch online through the Race World Offshore YouTube channel.

What top speeds do offshore race boats reach at Clearwater?

Boats in the Clearwater fleet reach speeds up to 150 mph, with some hulls stretching up to 50 feet long.

Is Ride Legal racing in the 2026 Clearwater Offshore Nationals?

Yes, Ride Legal's race team competes in Class 600 at this year's event.

Is Dirt Legal racing in the 2026 Clearwater Offshore Nationals?

Yes, the Dirt Legal Velocity Factory Team (boat #789) races in Class 700 and currently leads the class standings with 1,208 points.

Why does the Clearwater race matter for the Key West World Championships?

Clearwater is the last Race World Offshore event before the Key West World Championships in November, and teams need at least two qualifying races to compete at Key West.

Who won the Clearwater Offshore Nationals last year?

Monster Energy / M-CON Racing took the overall title in 2025. The team also holds the 2023 Factory Stock World Championship and a Kilo Speed world record in the 450R class.