The roar of the IHRA Offshore Racing Series returns to Florida this week, as the fleet descends on the "Space Coast" for the highly anticipated Thunder on Cocoa Beach 2026.
Known for its "traditionally sporty" conditions—a polite racing term for the unpredictable Atlantic swells—Cocoa Beach represents one of the most grueling tests on the calendar. While thousands are expected to pack the shoreline at Lori Wilson Park for a free glimpse of the action, the seasoned spectators are already heading for the Rikki Tiki Tavern at the end of the Cocoa Beach Pier for the ultimate vantage point.
Bermudian duo David Selley and Steven Bridges arrive in Florida as the men to beat. Competing in the fiercely contested Super Stock Class, the pair have enjoyed a near-flawless start to the campaign.
After a dominant performance in the season opener where they collected a maximum 115 points, they followed up with a gritty 104-point haul in New Orleans. It brings their championship tally to an impressive 219 points, placing them firmly at the summit of the standings.
The Bermudian interest doesn't stop at the top of the table. Luis Martins, working alongside throttleman Nick Imprescia, continues to climb the ranks in the 32-foot catamaran, S-12 Nuff Said.
The pair currently sit in sixth place overall with 160 points. After a steady start at the St. Pete Grand Prix, where they gathered 77 points, Martins and Imprescia found an extra gear in Louisiana, banking 83 points in New Orleans. With the rougher Atlantic conditions expected this weekend, the crew of Nuff Said will be looking to capitalize on any slips from the front-runners to break into the top five.
As the countdown to the green flag begins, all eyes are on the horizon. Will the Atlantic chop play into the hands of the championship leaders, or will the Space Coast provide a launching pad for a mid-table upset?
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