Photos by Alex Owens, Auto Imagery
SUNDAY FINAL – HAGAN, KALITTA, ANDERSON AND HERRERA WIN AT NHRA MIDWEST NATIONALS IN ST. LOUIS
Four-time Funny Car champion Matt Hagan kept his championship hopes alive by defeating Jack Beckman in the final round Sunday at the NHRA Midwest Nationals. Hagan’s victory highlighted a weekend at World Wide Technology Raceway where Doug Kalitta, Greg Anderson and Gaige Herrera also claimed playoff wins.
The event marked the 17th of 20 races in the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season and the third of six Countdown to the Championship events. Each victory had major implications for the title picture as the season heads into its closing stretch.
Funny Car winner Hagan drove his American Rebel Beer Dodge/SRT Hellcat to a 3.979-second pass at 329.34 mph, holding off Beckman’s 4.036. It was his second win of the season, 54th of his career, and third at St. Louis.
Hagan advanced by defeating Alex Laughlin, Cruz Pedregon, and Daniel Wilkerson. His .040-second reaction time in the final helped him close to within 20 points of leader Austin Prock with three races remaining.
“I told my guys when we came into this race, we’re all chasing Austin,” Hagan said. “He won eight races this year, but no one is infallible. You just have to be ready when they mess up, and they messed up today.”
Beckman, last year’s St. Louis winner, reached his fifth final of 2025 and 77th of his career. He is third in the standings, 65 points behind Prock.
Kalitta continued his own title push with a Top Fuel victory, running 3.796 at 327.98 to defeat first-time finalist Ida Zetterström. The 2023 NHRA champion qualified No. 1 and beat Will Smith, Steve Torrence, and Justin Ashley on his way to the final.
Kalitta secured his third win of the season and 58th of his career. It was also his fifth victory at St. Louis, extending his lead to 86 points over Ashley and 127 over teammate Shawn Langdon.
“Each of the rounds today, my car was just on a rail,” Kalitta said. “Conditions were pretty slick out there, but this whole Mac Tools group gave me a car that went down the track. For me, it’s just a huge relief.”
Zetterström reached her first career NHRA final after eliminating Tony Stewart, Kyle Wurtzel, and reigning champion Antron Brown. Her run added to the playoff drama, even as Kalitta controlled the points chase.
Anderson reasserted himself in the Pro Stock title fight with a 6.531 at 209.33 to beat Matt Hartford in the final. Anderson had to defeat KB Titan teammate Dallas Glenn in the second round, and also eliminated Mason McGaha and rookie Matt Latino.
It was Anderson’s sixth win of 2025 and 112th overall, trimming Glenn’s lead to 25 points with three events to go. “Today was crazy. I’m whipped,” Anderson said. “After yesterday, I probably didn’t come in with the most confidence, but what a recovery my guys made with my racecar. They figured it out and I made four very high-quality runs today.”
Hartford reached his third final of the season and 20th of his career with wins over Cristian Cuadra, Erica Enders, and Troy Coughlin Jr. He now sits third in the points chase.
Herrera rounded out the winners, claiming a Pro Stock Motorcycle win with a 6.791 at 199.61 after teammate Brayden Davis fouled out by .001 in the final. The victory was Herrera’s sixth of the season, 27th of his career and his third straight in St. Louis.
The defending champion had suffered rare early exits in the first two playoff races. But on his birthday, he jumped back into contention, moving to second in points and cutting the gap to teammate Richard Gadson to 29.
“This means a lot. Moving from fourth to second in points, that’s awesome, but I’m still the hunter,” Herrera said. “Getting three wins in a row here means a lot to me. To win on your birthday, there’s just nothing like it.”
Davis reached his second career final, defeating Bostick, Chase Van Sant, and Gadson.
The NHRA tour continues Oct. 8-12 at the Texas FallNationals near Dallas.
SATURDAY QUALIFYING – LEADERBOARD REMAINS UNCHANGED ON SATURDAY AT NHRA MIDWEST NATIONALS
Reigning Funny Car champion Austin Prock claimed his fifth No. 1 qualifier of the season Saturday at the NHRA Midwest Nationals, leading the field of pro categories at World Wide Technology Raceway. He joined Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Eric Latino (Pro Stock), and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) as top seeds heading into Sunday’s eliminations.
Prock, the class points leader, continues to carry momentum from his recent playoff win. He has yet to score a victory at the St. Louis-area track, but begins eliminations with confidence.
“I’m looking forward to tomorrow,” Prock said. “We figured out what not to do today, and we’ll be able to get after it tomorrow. I feel good. I’m excited. I never have a doubt in my mind – even when we stumble – that we can’t just can’t get right back to running low ET the next round.”
Prock will face Bobby Bode in round one. Matt Hagan qualified second and meets Alex Laughlin, while Daniel Wilkerson takes on teammate Dave Richards from the No. 3 position.
Kalitta’s 3.675, 334.82 run Friday held for best in Top Fuel, giving the 2023 champion his eighth No. 1 qualifier of the season. He earned one bonus point in the final session and enters eliminations with optimism.
“We’re in great shape,” Kalitta said. “Conditions tomorrow will probably be pretty similar to what they were today. We had a good run that last one, so we should be looking good for first round. In the end, it’s cool to get these low qualifiers and it’s just a lot of pride for the guys coming out of Saturday with the quick times.”
Kalitta will meet Will Smith in the opening round. Antron Brown qualified second and faces Cameron Ferre, while regular-season champion Tony Stewart takes on Ida Zetterström from the third spot.
Latino captured his first Pro Stock No. 1 qualifier with a 6.515, 209.75 in his GESi Chevrolet Camaro. The Canadian driver credited KB Titan Racing for the breakthrough.
“This is a big deal,” Latino said. “Racing Pro Stock with the best of the best and to come out with No. 1, it’s the team. If it wasn’t for the whole team of KB Titan Racing, I’d be qualifying 20 out of 20. It’s really tough, and if you can’t partner with a team who’s been doing this for 25 years and has a whole collection of data, you’re not going to do it.”
Latino will face Troy Coughlin Jr. in the opening round. Dallas Glenn, the points leader and defending event winner, qualified second and drew Jeg Coughlin.
Herrera, the reigning Pro Stock Motorcycle champion, secured his seventh No. 1 of the year on his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki with a 6.741, 200.41 pass. He is aiming for his third straight St. Louis win but sits fourth in points behind teammate Richard Gadson.
“My mindset is there is less room for error on my side of things and the whole program,” Herrera said. “We had a little error last weekend [a first-round loss], and it cost me a lot of points. My head is down, I’m focused, and I have to go out there and do my job. Hopefully the bike carries me the rest of the way. I love challenges, and this is definitely a challenge, and one I haven’t had yet in Pro Stock Motorcycle.”
Herrera receives a bye in the first round. Gadson qualified second and meets Lance Bonham, while teammate Brayden Davis drew Chris Bostick.
Eliminations at the NHRA Midwest Nationals begin Sunday at 11 a.m. CDT.
FRIDAY QUALIFYING – KALITTA, PROCK, LATINO AND HERRERA GRAB PROVISIONAL NO. 1 SPOTS AT NHRA MIDWEST NATIONALS
Four drivers left World Wide Technology Raceway on Friday night holding provisional No. 1 spots as the NHRA Midwest Nationals opened under the lights. Doug Kalitta, Austin Prock, Eric Latino and Gaige Herrera each paced their categories, gaining momentum and, in some cases, unique hardware.
Kalitta set the tone in Top Fuel, running 3.675 seconds at 334.82 mph in his Mac Tools dragster. The pass put the points leader atop the Countdown to the Championship standings and earned him a Rawlings “Top Hitter” bat, part of a baseball-themed promotion honoring St. Louis’ sports heritage.
“That was really cool to end up with the bat; it’s engraved and the whole deal,” Kalitta said. “I was sitting back there thinking, ‘Man, I sure hope my car goes down the track because everyone is really running well.’ Got down there and it felt good. Real fortunate to be able to pull off a good run and come out No. 1 so far.”
Kalitta has four career wins at the St. Louis track, but chasing a fifth will mean holding off a loaded field. Reigning champion Antron Brown is second at 3.688 and 337.41, with regular-season champ Tony Stewart third at 3.690 and 335.15. Shawn Reed followed at 3.703, while Brittany Force took fifth at 3.709 and 340.47. Kalitta said every point matters but stressed that eliminations are the priority. “It’s all about Sunday and going rounds and trying to get to the finals,” he said. “It’s going to take any point you can get with the Top Fuel group. Everybody is running strong.”
In Funny Car, Prock continued his knack for shining on Friday night. The reigning world champion drove to a 3.845 at 337.16 mph, good for his fifth provisional No. 1 of the season and another Rawlings bat for his growing collection.
“That was a nice clean pass during Q3, it felt really smooth leaving the starting line,” Prock said. “The lane felt really difficult to drive tonight, a lot of cars earlier in the session were getting inside, and there’s just not as much traction toward the centerline. So, I was a little bit clenched going up there and didn’t want to make that mistake, but I worked with (track specialist) Lanny Miglizzi and my crew chiefs on how to aim the car, and it went right down the center of the racetrack.”
Four-time champion Matt Hagan was second at 3.868, while Daniel Wilkerson held third with a 3.871. Prock said the added Friday-night incentives have become a pattern for him and his team. “It’s been pretty cool,” he said. “Anytime there’s anything on the line on Friday night, we’ve been good enough or lucky enough to take home the award. It’s cool to add this bat to the list.”
Latino added his own chapter in Pro Stock, powering to a 6.515 at 209.75 in his GESi Chevrolet Camaro. The pass edged Dallas Glenn’s 6.516 at 209.14 and put Latino in line for his first career No. 1 qualifier since moving to the class.
“I felt like it was a good run,” Latino said. “As I came around the corner, they opened the door and told me to hurry up and get up there, Dallas Glenn is off the seat and that baseball bat is yours. I was a little bit in disbelief because it’s really tough to be No. 1 qualifier in this class. It was just a good run.”
Cory Reed, winner at Norwalk, sits third at 6.523 and 209.10, while Matt Hartford and Erica Enders rounded out the top five. For Latino, the lap represented both execution and validation within the powerhouse KB Titan lineup.
Herrera returned to the top in Pro Stock Motorcycle, making a 6.741-second pass at 200.41 mph on his Suzuki. The defending champion, currently fourth in points, secured his seventh provisional No. 1 of the year while chasing teammate and points leader Richard Gadson.
“I’m definitely counting all these little points,” Herrera said. “We were able to capitalize tonight on the good weather. I hope that No. 1 qualifier sticks going into Sunday, but you never know — this track has been really good. One thing I love about drag racing is that you never know how the table is going to turn or what’s going to happen.”
Herrera led a Vance & Hines sweep at the top, with Gadson second at 6.759 and 200.02 and rookie Brayden Davis third at 6.767 and 198.47. Matt Smith Racing filled out the next three spots, leaving the class’s two dominant teams in control.
Qualifying continues at 12:15 p.m. CT Saturday, with eliminations scheduled for Sunday at World Wide Technology Raceway.
SPORTSMAN QUALIFYING – BROGDON, PAWUK, BARTON TOP ST. LOUIS QUALIFYING
Rodger Brogdon paced Comp Eliminator qualifying, headlining the Lucas Oil Sportsman divisions at the NHRA Midwest Nationals outside of St. Louis,
Mark Pawuk topped Factory Stock Showdown, David Barton led Super Stock, Jimmy Hidalgo Jr. was first in Stock, and Darian Boesch earned the No. 1 spots in Top Sportsman as sportsman qualifying wrapped up at World Wide Technology Raceway.
Brogdon, of Tomball, Texas, put his ’34 Chevrolet B/SR at the top of Comp Eliminator with a run of 7.710 seconds, .670 under his index. Scott Linder of Hedrick, Iowa, was second at 6.506, and Clint Neff of Arvada, Colo., slotted in third at 7.640.
The rest of the top five included Robert Bailey of Wabash, Ind., who went 6.553 in his A/ED entry, and Sean Dodd of Double Oak, Texas, with an 8.044 in his Cobalt. Troy Galbraith of Warsaw, Ind., and Matthew Alvey of Taylorsville, Ky., also qualified in the top 10.
In Factory Stock Showdown, Pawuk claimed the top position with a 7.710 at 178.10 mph in his 2021 Dodge Challenger. Raymond Nash of Hinckley, Ohio, followed close behind at 7.719, while Taylor Dietsch of Hicksville, Ohio, also posted a 7.719 to take the third spot.
Alex Anderson of Wilmington, Ill., and Jonathan Allegrucci of Scott Township, Pa., rounded out the top five. Defending champion David Janac of Caldwell, Texas, ended the session seventh with a 7.769.
Super Stock qualifying was led by Barton of Sinking Spring, Pa., who put his 2015 Camaro FSS/F on top with a 9.213, .987 under the index. Larry Hodge of La Place, Ill., was second with a 10.384, while Gary Stinnett of Emporia, Kan., claimed third at 9.992.
Scott Libersher of Wilmington, Ill., drove his 2023 Camaro to fourth at 8.996, and Jason DeForrest of Oak Grove, Minn., was fifth at 9.006. Barton’s margin of nearly a tenth under the field set him apart in a competitive Super Stock ladder.
In Stock Eliminator, Hidalgo Jr. of Donaldsonville, La., ran his 2004 Pontiac GTO to a 10.590, 1.110 under the E/SA index, to lead the category. Blake Hooper of Charleston, Ill., was second with a 12.029, and T.C. Morris of New Haven, Ky., held third at 10.738.
Brent Kopejtka of Stanton, Neb., and Billy Maddox of Sidney, Neb., completed the top five. Defending class contender Briana Splingaire of Minooka, Ill., placed sixth in her 2022 Camaro.
Boesch of Kenner, La., set the pace in Top Sportsman with a 6.235 at 228.04 mph in his 2018 Camaro. Jeff Brooks of Fredericksburg, Va., was second with a 6.386, and Allen Firestone of Velma, Okla., ranked third with a 6.406.
Rounding out the top five were Rick Sojka of North Aurora, Ill., and Richard Smith of Wentzville, Mo. Belva Brinegar of Middletown, Ohio, was seventh in her 2003 Mustang, while Dean McIlvain of New Carlisle, Ohio, secured the 10th spot in his 1970 Barracuda.
