Photos by Rhonda McCole, Ron Lewis, Chris Haverly, Adam Dobbs
SUNDAY FINAL – LANGDON GETS THE 1,000TH TOP FUEL WIN; PROCK, GLENN, M. SMITH FINISH ON TOP IN CHARLOTTE
Shawn Langdon’s name was already in NHRA’s record book as its Top Fuel champion in 2013. On Sunday, he inscribed another chapter, winning the 1,000th race for Top Fuel dragsters when he took down Tony Stewart, Justin Ashley, and Antron Brown in the final round of the Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway.
Joining Langdon in the winners circle were Austin Prock (Funny Car), Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock), and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle).
In the championship round, Langdon clocked a 3.714-second, 330.63-mph run in the Future Energy Solutions dragster to secure the win against Ashley, who was the runner-up, with Stewart third and Brown, the 2024 NHRA champion, fourth. The victory allowed Langdon to retain the Top Fuel points lead.
Don Garlits, who won the first Top Fuel race at the 1963 NHRA Winternationals, presented Langdon with a special trophy for his milestone achievement. The outing continued Langdon’s strong start to 2025, with three final-round appearances in five events.
Langdon qualified second with a time of 3.665 seconds, and as track conditions slowed on race day, he was the only driver to go as quick as 3.71.
“To be honest with you, coming into the weekend I was asked about racing in the 1,000th event and all that, and I just thought I’d treat it like any other event,” Langdon said. “That way, any situation, everything’s the same because you just treat everything the same.
“But I’m not going to lie, rolling around the corner, and I see ‘Big Daddy’ there, there was this realization of what transpired and obviously it’s a great feeling,” Langdon said. “It’s something that I know years down the road I’ll be very proud of.
“Honestly, the competition’s so tough, really, so it’s not like you really get any easy rounds. In the final, with Tony, he’s been having a great year, and then obviously, Antron, the champ, and Justin Ashley, the best leaver of the class, hands down. So, when I’m in that situation, it’s like I got to step it up, and the problem was I went the other way, except I felt like I tried a little too hard. But … being part of a great team is they carry you when you miss the tree a little bit.”
Langdon’s victory marked his second win of the season and the 21st of his career.
Prock continued his Funny Car dominance, winning with a run of 3.870, 332.92, in his Chevrolet SS. Prock defeated Ron Capps, Matt Hagan, and Alexis DeJoria in the final round. Prock also secured the Mission ##2Fast2Tasty Challenge on Saturday.
After his second consecutive win, Prock moved into the points lead and has now 14 victories in his career.
“It’s a great day. Anytime you’re holding one of these Wallys, it’s a great day,” Prock said. “The Prock Rocket bailed me out there in the finals. I had my worst light of the weekend, so it’s just great to be driving this Cornwell Chevrolet SS, especially that round there. We had a lot of difficult scenarios with this race car, but my dad and brother and Nate Hildahl and the whole Cornwell Tools team did their homework all week and got the thing dialed in and made a killer run there in the final. That was a jaw dropper.
“It was awesome to see (sponsor Rick Hendrick) down there at the top end. That was the last thing I expected and when I saw him, I just lit up. That was a pretty cool celebration down there with him, and then got a photo with him and the Wally and then got another one with Don Garlits. I mean, what a day. Those are pictures you dream of, and to do them back to back within a few minutes of each other, that was really special.”
Dallas Glenn’s triumph in the Pro Stock final, with a run of 6.495 seconds, came at the expense of teammate and mentor Greg Anderson. It was Glenn’s second consecutive win and the 200th victory for KB Titan Racing.
“,I did my job the best I could but the car did its job, too,” Glenn said. “It’s still the engine guys and crew chiefs that did a fantastic job all day. We got back from Las Vegas and they tore all the engines apart and didn’t finish until this Thursday at 9 p.m. They worked every day. That’s the reason why we run well.
“I just get to sit in car and try to do the best I can. In four-wide races, you don’t have to be best until the final and then you can throw the kitchen sink at it, and that’s what we did. When I left I thought I might have red-lighted but I’m glad I didn’t. I know Greg (Anderson) really wanted to win with Rick Hendrick here, but I’m happy to be the 200th winner for the KB Titan team. That shows just how special this team is.”
Glenn has now won three times this season, while he and Anderson have garnered all five Pro Stock victories this year. Glenn expressed gratitude for his team’s hard work, especially after significant engine work following Las Vegas.
Matt Smith earned his first Pro Stock Motorcycle victory of the season aboard his Denso Auto Parts Buell, clocking a 6.736-second run. He edged out Gaige Herrera, Richard Gadson, and Steve Johnson to secure the win.
Smith acknowledged the challenges his team faced over the weekend but praised their efforts. With this victory, the six-time NHRA champion improved his career record to 42 wins.
“This has been a long weekend. We had a lot of gremlins in our pits,” Smith said. “This morning, we cranked my bike up and it started squeaking. We have another engine called ‘Old Faithful,’ so we put in a new engine and it went smoothly after that.
“Hats off to my team. I can’t say enough about my crew guys. Everyone helps, but it’s a lot of work to run four bikes with three mechanics. I do the fuel maps and clutches and I also get to ride, but it’s a lot of work. I’m on the positive side now. I had 41 wins and 41 runner-up finishes. Now, I’m 42 and 41, so at least I’m on the positive side now.”
Gadson finished as the runner-up as Smith took the points lead in the second Pro Stock Motorcycle race of the season.
The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series returns to action May 15-18 for the 25th annual Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals near Chicago.
SATURDAY QUALIFYING – LEADERBOARD UNCHANGED AT CHARLOTTE 4-WIDE QUALIFYING
Doug Kalitta and the other leaders from Friday’s qualifying maintained their positions during the second day of qualifications for the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway. Kalitta (Top Fuel), Paul Lee (Funny Car), Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock), and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all secured the No. 1 slots at the fifth of 20 races in the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series.
Kalitta qualified No. 1 for the third time this year with a track-record run of 3.646 seconds at 333.74 mph. He looks to win an historic trophy Sunday – the 1,000th event for Top Fuel – by first surviving an opening-round quad that includes Las Vegas victor Tony Stewart, Steve Torrence, and Lex Joon.
“I’m very fortunate with this opportunity with this group of guys,” Kalitta said. “It’s a heck of an opportunity. … We want to win that special trophy.”
Shawn Langdon secured the No. 2 spot on the Top Fuel ladder with a 3.665 at 333.33 mph, while Brittany Force’s 3.667 at a record 341.58 mph from Friday placed her third.
Lee captured his second consecutive No. 1 qualifier position thanks to a run of 3.829 seconds at 328.54 mph in his Dodge Charger SRT. His opening quad includes Matt Hagan, Bobby Bode, and Dave Richards as he seeks his second win of the season.
“The Funny Car class is tough,” Lee said. “If I can’t be competitive, I’ll go do something else. I race for competition. I love to beat them.”
Dallas Glenn earned his first top qualifier of the year with a strong run of 6.502, 211.10 in his RAD Torque Systems Camaro, also winning the $2,000 GESi Pro Stock No. 1 Qualifier Award. He faces Matt Latino, Mason McGaha, and Erica Enders in the opening round.
“Greg (Anderson) had been hogging them all. We got the No. 1 qualifier, and we’re excited,” Glenn said. “We’ve got a good hot rod for tomorrow.”
In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Gaige Herrera claimed his 25th career No. 1 qualifier with a time of 6.680, 201.64. Richard Gadson finished second with a run of 6.759, while Matt Smith took third at 6.773. Gadson was victorious in the #2Fast2Tasty Challenge for the bikes.
“I’m happy to see (Richard) get the win,” Herrera said. “My bike spun the tire in the first 60 feet. … We did get some good data for tomorrow, so we’ll be just fine.”
Eliminations for the American Rebel Light NHRA 4-Wide Nationals begin at noon EDT on Sunday at zMAX Dragway.
#2FAST2TASTY CHALLENGE – KALITTA, PROCK, HARTFORD, AND GADSON WIN MISSION #2FAST2TASTY CHALLENGE AT ZMAX DRAGWAY
Doug Kalitta won the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge in Top Fuel on Saturday, setting a strong pace while securing the No. 1 qualifier position at the 15th annual American Rebel Light NHRA 4-Wide Nationals. He defeated Antron Brown, Steve Torrence, and Josh Hart with a time of 4.661 seconds at 237.92 mph.
“About half-track the thing obviously decided it wasn’t going to make it without smoking the tires,” Kalitta said. “Our guys can pedal very well, so you have to do what you can to get it to the finish without blowing the thing up.”
Kalitta’s victory marked the second consecutive win in the specialty event for the season. He is one of 16 drivers who will attempt to capture the 1,000th Top Fuel race in NHRA history Sunday.
Reigning NHRA Funny Car champion Austin Prock was quick off the line with a .058 reaction time, winning the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge with a time of 3.949, 322.50. He edged past Spencer Hyde, who also ran a 3.949 but with a slower reaction time.
“Last year we figured out how important these Mission Challenge (bonus) points are,” Prock said. “Both runs today were nice, clean runs in hotter conditions, which we’re probably going to see more like tomorrow.”
In Pro Stock, Matt Hartford claimed his second Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge win of the year, using a .021 reaction time to secure a victory with a 6.567, 210.37. He held off Greg Anderson, who finished with a run of 6.540, 210.24.
“Last year was a rough year but we turned it around during the Countdown,” Hartford said. “To come out here and run well on Saturday gives you positive energy for Sunday.”
In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Richard Gadson captured his first Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge win of the year on his RevZilla/Mission Foods/Vance & Hines Suzuki. Gadson defeated his teammate Gaige Herrera, with Matt Smith also in the final.
“It was crazy but I’ll take it,” Gadson said. “It’s big for our team to know we have a second bike that can get the job done. To be honest, I didn’t really think about winning until 30 minutes before we ran.”
FRIDAY QUALIFYING – RECORDS FALL AT NHRA 4-WIDE NATIONALS; KALITTA, FORCE, LEE, GLENN, AND HERRERA CLAIM NO. 1 SPOTS
Doug Kalitta set the zMAX Dragway elapsed-time record Friday, taking the provisional No. 1 spot for the 15th annual American Rebel Light NHRA 4-Wide Nationals with a run of 3.646 seconds at 333.74 mph.
Brittany Force did Kalitta one better, logging the fastest run in Top Fuel history at 341.58 mph. She was an eyelash behind Kalitta’s time at 3.667 seconds in the HendrickCars.com dragster, but third overall behind the 3.665 recorded by Kalitta’s teammate, Shawn Langdon.
“The track is in incredible shape,” Kalitta said of Friday’s night-time qualifying session.
“It was the opportunity of the weekend, really, for all of us, with the 1,000th race, it’s cool and then there’s a cool trophy. Right now, my car is running incredibly well. Shawn Langdon, ended up second, so both our cars are running really well. Alan (Johnson) and Brian (Husen, crew chiefs) and all our guys, and Connie (Kalitta, team owner) is definitely giving us everything we need, and we’ve got some momentum going on our side here right now.”
Kalitta’s impressive performance allows him to aim for his third No. 1 qualifier this season and potentially the 61st of his career.
In Funny Car, Paul Lee secured the No. 1 spot with a standout run of 3.829 seconds at 328.54 mph in his Dodge Charger SRT. “It left the line hard, and I knew it was on a good run,” Lee said. “If the conditions stay the same tomorrow, a lot of cars could go faster.”
Austin Prock qualified second in Funny Car with a run of 3.844 seconds at 336.49 mph, while Daniel Wilkerson’s career-best run of 3.855 seconds put him third.
In Pro Stock, Dallas Glenn and Greg Anderson recorded identical runs of 6.502 seconds, but Glenn secured the No. 1 spot with a higher speed of 211.10 mph. “This shows how hard they work at KB Titan,” Glenn said. “We’re making quality runs.”
Matt Hartford claimed third with a time of 6.510 seconds at 209.43 mph.
In Pro Stock Motorcycle, two-time reigning NHRA champion Gaige Herrera took the provisional No. 1 spot with a time of 6.680 seconds at 201.64 mph. “That run felt the same as last year when we set the record in Dallas,” Herrera said.
Richard Gadson moved into second place with a run of 6.759 seconds at 200.77 mph, while Matt Smith followed in third at 6.773 seconds.
Qualifying continues Saturday at 12:30 p.m. EDT at zMAX Dragway.
Results Friday after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the 15th annual American Rebel Light NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at zMax Dragway, fifth of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday’s final eliminations.
Top Fuel — 1. Doug Kalitta, 3.646 seconds, 333.74 mph; 2. Shawn Langdon, 3.665, 333.33; 3. Brittany Force, 3.667, 341.59; 4. Shawn Reed, 3.703, 329.75; 5. Antron Brown, 3.703, 328.62; 6. Justin Ashley, 3.708, 336.23; 7. Josh Hart, 3.709, 323.12; 8. Tony Stewart, 3.711, 324.05; 9. Steve Torrence, 3.715, 330.63; 10. Ida Zetterstrom, 3.744, 329.67; 11. Spencer Massey, 3.759, 304.94; 12. Clay Millican, 3.769, 328.70; 13. Doug Foley, 3.811, 302.69; 14. Todd Paton, 3.997, 303.23; 15. Cameron Ferre, 8.813, 84.14; 16. Scott Farley, 14.397, 29.25.
Funny Car — 1. Paul Lee, Dodge Charger, 3.829, 328.54; 2. Austin Prock, Chevy Camaro, 3.844, 336.49; 3. Daniel Wilkerson, Ford Mustang, 3.855, 330.07; 4. Spencer Hyde, Mustang, 3.863, 329.83; 5. Jack Beckman, Camaro, 3.865, 331.61; 6. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 3.867, 336.65; 7. Ron Capps, Toyota GR Supra, 3.867, 320.05; 8. Matt Hagan, Charger, 3.873, 330.39; 9. Bobby Bode, GR Supra, 3.904, 306.33; 10. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 3.916, 331.36; 11. J.R. Todd, GR Supra, 3.924, 325.37; 12. Alexis DeJoria, Charger, 3.925, 324.51; 13. Chad Green, Mustang, 3.926, 317.34; 14. Hunter Green, Charger, 3.931, 321.12; 15. Buddy Hull, Charger, 4.010, 320.97; 16. Dave Richards, Mustang, 7.262, 150.70. Not Qualified: 17. John Smith, 8.725, 79.36; 18. Dale Creasy Jr., 10.349, 80.18.
Pro Stock — 1. Dallas Glenn, Chevy Camaro, 6.502, 211.10; 2. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.502, 210.93; 3. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.510, 210.21; 4. Cory Reed, Camaro, 6.526, 210.83; 5. Eric Latino, Camaro, 6.531, 209.79; 6. Greg Stanfield, Camaro, 6.544, 209.88; 7. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.545, 210.73; 8. Matt Latino, Camaro, 6.554, 210.28; 9. Mason McGaha, Camaro, 6.557, 209.52; 10. Brandon Foster, Camaro, 6.558, 209.26; 11. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.558, 209.17; 12. Cody Coughlin, Camaro, 6.559, 209.62; 13. Troy Coughlin Jr., Camaro, 6.559, 210.08; 14. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.561, 209.56; 15. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 6.571, 208.42; 16. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.574, 209.30. Not Qualified: 17. David Cuadra, 6.576, 207.40; 18. Fernando Cuadra Jr., 6.579, 208.62; 19. Stephen Bell, 6.592, 209.07; 20. Aaron Stanfield, 6.609, 209.56; 21. Brandon Miller, 6.622, 206.92; 22. Jerry Tucker, 7.227, 151.85; 23. Cristian Cuadra, 10.231, 89.67.
Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.680, 201.64; 2. Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.759, 200.77; 3. Matt Smith, Buell, 6.773, 201.34; 4. Marc Ingwersen, EBR, 6.799, 197.80; 5. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.805, 196.79; 6. Angie Smith, Buell, 6.816, 198.52; 7. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 6.817, 198.47; 8. Hector Arana Jr, EBR, 6.824, 199.88; 9. John Hall, Beull, 6.833, 198.58; 10. Jianna Evaristo, Buell, 6.854, 196.10; 11. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.895, 197.91; 12. Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 6.902, 194.38; 13. Ryan Oehler, EBR, 6.911, 194.94; 14. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 7.144, 189.87. Not Qualified: 15. Brandon Litten, Suzuki, DQ.
FRIDAY SPORTSMAN – RESULTS
TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER (Q1)
1 6 TA/D Matthew Cummings, Pompano Beach FL, Drag 5.268 267.27 267.27
2 6871 TA/D McKenna Bold, Red Deer AB, Meyer-Hemi 5.289 277.43 277.43
3 1490 TA/D Brandon Greco, Roscoe PA, Dragster-Hemi 5.333 273.72 273.72
4 1011 B/AD Dan Dietrich, Glen Arm MD, Dragster-NOON 5.392 267.00 267.00
5 7 TA/D Angelle Sampey, Mathews LA, Dragster-AJPE 5.425 254.95 254.95
6 24 TA/D Megan Smith, Anderson SC, McKinney-BAEX 5.609 270.54 270.54
7 175K TA/D Kelly Kundratic, Manchester PA, DSR-Hemi 6.463 150.97 150.97
8 52 TA/D James Stevens, Gothenburg NE, Dragster-M 6.981 152.57 152.57
9 T200 TA/D Anthony Troyer, Lehigh Acres FL, Indy Sp 11.289 64.78 64.78
10 3 TA/D Jackie Fricke, Flemington NJ, Dragster-H 11.810 78.14 78.14
TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR (Q1)
1 1 Sean Bellemeur, Placentia CA, ’25 Camaro 5.408 266.16 266.16
2 238 Mick Steele, Kodak TN, ’23 Mustang 5.508 261.98 261.98
3 2 Madison Gordon, Paso Robles CA, ’25 Camaro 5.538 264.65 264.65
4 15 Melinda Green-King, Norfolk VA, ’21 Camaro 5.830 252.95 252.95
5 4 Bob McCosh, Columbia MO, ’24 Camero 8.861 117.53 117.53
6 10 Christine Foster, Davenport IA, ’19 Camaro 10.029 114.73 114.73
7 8 Chris Foster, Davenport IA, ’19 Camaro 10.070 119.37 119.37
8 11 Chip Beverett, Miami FL, ’22 Camaro 26.797 22.78 22.78
FACTORY X (Q1)
1 L177 Lenny Lottig, Meyersdale PA, ’24 Camaro 6.902 194.32 194.32
2 446 Conner Statler, Somerville TX, ’24 Camaro 6.944 199.20 199.20
3 K139 Kyle Koretsky, Reading PA, ’24 Camaro 7.078 194.27 194.27
4 313 Jesse Alexandra, West Bend WI, ’24 Camaro 7.617 142.60 142.60
5 3334 Chris Holbrook, Livonia MI, ’24 Mustang 9.382 129.98 129.98
FACTORY STOCK SHOWDOWN (Q1)
1 3694 Jason Dietsch, Edgerton OH, ’18 Mustang 7.715 177.91 177.91
2 B346 Lee Hartman, Canfield OH, ’21 Challenger 7.738 177.16 177.16
3 3662 Scott Libersher, Wilmington IL, ’23 Camaro 7.804 177.07 177.07
4 J191 Jonathan Allegrucci, Scott Twp PA, ’19 Mustang 7.806 177.49 177.49
5 1 Mark Pawuk, Akron OH, ’21 Challenger 7.833 180.65 180.65
6 339 Tony Scott Jr, Greenville KY, ’20 Camaro 7.839 173.54 173.54
7 107 Doug Hamp, York PA, ’20 Camaro 7.841 175.68 175.68
8 803 Rouven Dawson, Robesonia PA, ’19 Camaro 7.901 173.45 173.45
9 3171 Taylor Dietsch, Hicksville OH, ’18 Mustang 7.912 174.98 174.98
10 3279 Raymond Nash, Hinckley OH, ’21 Challenger 8.021 171.69 171.69
SUPER STOCK (Q-2)
1 R210 FSS/B Richard Bierie, Acworth GA, ’22 Camaro 8.197 9.20 -1.003
2 2426 GT/HA John Fogle, Norway SC, ’05 Cavalier 9.503 10.50 -0.997
3 2497 GT/JA Frank Beasley, Taylorsville NC, ’08 Cobalt 9.847 10.80 -0.953
4 2019 FSS/B Michael Howard, Ellabell GA, ’19 Camaro 8.249 9.20 -0.951
5 3662 FSS/D Scott Libersher, Wilmington IL, ’23 Camaro 8.981 9.90 -0.919
6 24 GT/MA Don Shuford, Connelly Springs NC, ’87 Cam 10.307 11.20 -0.893
7 159 FSS/F Victor Cagnazzi, Mooresville NC, ’18 Cama 9.313 10.20 -0.887
8 2701 GT/JA Kenneth Horne, Fayetteville NC, ’97 Achie 9.935 10.80 -0.865
9 1949 GT/HA Ronald Huntzberry, Hagerstown MD, ’06 Cob 9.639 10.50 -0.861
10 1969 GT/CA Brian Oakes, Taylorsville NC, ’69 Camaro 9.045 9.90 -0.855
STOCK (Q-1)
1 2586 V/SA McNeal Freeman, Conyers GA, ’87 Caprice 14.409 15.50 -1.091
2 2221 G/SA Thomas Mace, Jacksonville FL, ’90 Corvette10.960 12.00 -1.040
3 1990 FS/C David Barton, Sinking Spring PA, ’15 Cama 9.295 10.30 -1.005
4 858 B/S Jarmo Markkanen, Vantaa FI, ’02 Firebird 10.219 11.20 -0.981
5 1614 A/SA Barry Parker, Richlands NC, ’70 Camaro 10.104 11.00 -0.896
6 2964 F/SA Gene Britt, Pembroke NC, ’70 Nova 10.966 11.85 -0.884
7 1656 FS/AA Kenneth Miele, Selma NC, ’08 Mustang 8.518 9.40 -0.882
8 1381 E/SA Mark Howes, Rothesay NB, ’70 Duster 10.825 11.70 -0.875
9 2970 I/SA Willie Mylin, Ravenel SC, ’83 Camaro 11.435 12.30 -0.865
10 2892 B/SA Eddie Longhany, Godwin NC, ’69 Camaro 10.390 11.25 -0.860
