Photos by Bill Swanson
SUNDAY FINAL – STEWART, BECKMAN, AND HERRERA WIN AT ROUTE 66 NHRA NATIONALS
Motorsports icon Tony Stewart claimed his second victory in three races at the 25th annual Route 66 NHRA Nationals, defeating Justin Ashley in the final round. With this win, Stewart moved to the top of the NHRA Top Fuel points standings for the first time in his brief career.
Joining Stewart on the winner’s stage were past NHRA champion Jack Beckman (Funny Car) and two-time reigning Pro Stock Motorcycle titleist Gaige Herrera.
Stewart recorded a time of 3.777 seconds at 329.10 mph in his Rinnai dragster. This victory marks the fourth consecutive final round for Stewart, who advanced past Terry Totten, Shawn Reed, and Steve Torrence to reach the championship showdown against Ashley.
“You’ve got to believe we’re real now at this point,” Stewart said. “I’m very grateful and it’s nice we’ve got a consistent car.”
Ashley reached the finals for the second time this season after defeating Brittany Force, reigning world champion Antron Brown, and No. 1 qualifier Doug Kalitta.
Beckman secured the Funny Car victory over his John Force Racing teammate, reigning world champion Austin Prock, in a close final round. Beckman won on a holeshot, posting a time of 3.935 seconds at 325.77 mph.
“Every win is great … but winning here in Chicago … is as good as it gets,” Beckman said. The victory was Beckman’s second of the season and 37th of his career.
Prock, who advanced to his third straight final, recorded a quicker time at 3.933 seconds but fell short. He remains the Funny Car points leader.
Herrera extended his undefeated streak at Route 66 Raceway, defeating Matt Smith in the final with a time of 6.777 seconds at 198.90 mph. It’s Herrera’s third consecutive victory at Route 66 Raceway and second of the season.
“The final was fun. … I had a great reaction time and we came out on top,” Herrera said. He also leads the Pro Stock Motorcycle points standings.
Smith advanced to the final round for the third consecutive race, defeating Wesley Wells, Jianna Evaristo, and Steve Johnson. He currently sits second in the points.
The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series will resume May 30-June 1 with the NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway in Epping, N.H.
SATURDAY QUALIFYING – KALITTA GRABS THIRD STRAIGHT NO. 1 QUALIFIER AT ROUTE 66 NHRA NATIONALS
Doug Kalitta is the No. 1 qualifier for the third consecutive NHRA event, claiming the top spot Saturday for the 25th annual Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by Peak in Joliet, Ill. Kalitta logged a track-record pass of 3.661 seconds at 335.23 mph.
Kalitta dominated the Top Fuel field heading into Sunday’s eliminations, continuing his strong qualifying performance this season. He will face Lex Joon in the opening round in search of his first victory of the year.
“We’re definitely focused on going rounds tomorrow, but we’re starting from a great spot,” Kalitta said. “I love racing here in Chicago. We’re really proud of what we’ve got going on, and we’ve just got to keep it going.
“Today the track was cooler, and that allowed us to really get after it. Everyone stepped up, but we managed to make the best run. So far, so good. I’m focused for tomorrow, and I hope we can get to the final with a chance to win it.”
Tony Stewart qualified second with a personal best of 3.679 at 332.43 mph, while Shawn Langdon, Kalitta’s teammate, secured third with a time of 3.687, 335.65 mph. Antron Brown finished fourth, setting the track speed record at 338.09.
Beckman earned the top qualifying spot in Funny Car for John Force Racing with a run of 3.859, 332.75. It’s Beckman’s second top qualifier of the season and the 30th of his career as he looks to rebound from recent first-round losses.
“This is a track that isn’t run on much, so yesterday we had to reel the cars back and then today it was 20 degrees cooler so our guys went back to the data and took a look at (past) runs and the car did exactly what they said it would and as a driver, that gives you so much confidence,” Beckman said. “We get a lot of winds in Las Vegas and you just have to be aware. You have no control over the wind, but you do have a steering wheel.”
In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Herrera maintained Vance & Hines’ strong performance in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, winning against Matt Smith with a time of 6.722 at 201.67 mph on his RevZilla/Mission Foods/Vance & Hines Suzuki.
Herrera also qualified No. 1 with a run of 6.717, 202.33 mph, marking his third consecutive top qualifier to start the 2025 season. Smith secured the second spot with a time of 6.727 at a track-record-setting 204.26 mph, while Richard Gadson ranked third with a run of 6.737 at 202.27 mph.
Eliminations for the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by Peak begin at 10:30 a.m. CDT on Sunday at Route 66 Raceway.
Sunday’s first-round pairings for eliminations for the 25th annual Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK Performance at Route 66 Raceway, the sixth of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday. DNQs listed below pairings.
Top Fuel — 1. Doug Kalitta, 3.661 seconds, 335.40 mph vs. 16. Lex Joon, 4.099, 249.35; 2. Tony Stewart, 3.679, 332.43 vs. 15. Terry Totten, 4.003, 271.02; 3. Shawn Langdon, 3.687, 335.65 vs. 14. Kyle Wurtzel, 3.937, 242.50; 4. Antron Brown, 3.691, 338.09 vs. 13. T.J. Zizzo, 3.784, 330.72; 5. Justin Ashley, 3.697, 337.50 vs. 12. Brittany Force, 3.780, 327.03; 6. Steve Torrence, 3.715, 333.74 vs. 11. Spencer Massey, 3.776, 322.27; 7. Shawn Reed, 3.720, 334.82 vs. 10. Dan Mercier, 3.755, 334.24; 8. Josh Hart, 3.735, 329.02 vs. 9. Clay Millican, 3.743, 330.55.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Will Smith, 4.159, 231.08.
Funny Car — 1. Jack Beckman, Chevy Camaro, 3.859, 332.75 vs. 16. Dave Richards, Ford Mustang, 4.085, 311.49; 2. Paul Lee, Dodge Charger, 3.866, 329.42 vs. 15. Buddy Hull, Charger, 4.057, 319.98; 3. Matt Hagan, Charger, 3.880, 331.85 vs. 14. Blake Alexander, Charger, 4.040, 321.04; 4. J.R. Todd, Toyota GR Supra, 3.884, 336.40 vs. 13. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 4.029, 325.69; 5. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 3.887, 335.15 vs. 12. Daniel Wilkerson, Mustang, 3.998, 319.22; 6. Ron Capps, GR Supra, 3.889, 330.88 vs. 11. Alexis DeJoria, Charger, 3.997, 324.05; 7. Austin Prock, Camaro, 3.910, 333.58 vs. 10. Bobby Bode, Mustang, 3.957, 322.96; 8. Chad Green, Mustang, 3.938, 324.83 vs. 9. Spencer Hyde, Mustang, 3.945, 302.48.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Chris King, 5.546, 130.34; 18. Justin Schriefer, 6.193, 195.79; 19. Dale Creasy Jr., 6.758, 98.74.
Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.717, 202.36 vs. Bye; 2. Matt Smith, Buell, 6.727, 204.26 vs. 15. Wesley Wells, Suzuki, 7.227, 186.79; 3. Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.737, 202.27 vs. 14. Lance Bonham, Buell, 7.075, 188.46; 4. Angie Smith, Buell, 6.789, 201.31 vs. 13. Geno Scali, Suzuki, 6.991, 194.27; 5. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 6.794, 200.02 vs. 12. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 6.865, 198.44; 6. Ryan Oehler, EBR, 6.796, 200.77 vs. 11. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.847, 197.86; 7. Jianna Evaristo, Buell, 6.800, 201.82 vs. 10. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.839, 200.14; 8. Marc Ingwersen, EBR, 6.812, 199.05 vs. 9. John Hall, Beull, 6.836, 199.40.
#2FAST2TASTY- LANGDON, HAGAN, AND HERRERA WIN MISSION #2FAST2TASTY CHALLENGE AT ROUTE 66 NHRA NATIONALS
Shawn Langdon maintained Kalitta Motorsports’ perfect streak in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Top Fuel Challenge, securing his third such win of the season. Matt Hagan (Funny Car) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also claimed victories in the bonus event.
Langdon triumphed with a time of 3.704, 332.10, in his Kalitta Air Careers dragster, defeating Tony Stewart. Langdon’s win followed previous Challenge victories, demonstrating the consistent performance that has him in the points lead entering Sunday’s eliminations.
“I’m part of a great team,” Langdon said. “Connie Kalitta sets the tone and he gives us what we need to be competitive. Winning also fixes a lot. It solves problems but we know we always have a good foundation.
“I’ve been racing almost nonstop since last year and I think that helps. After the 2024 season, I took a couple of weeks off and then headed to the Middle East and I raced for two months and then went right to Bradenton to start the season. All of that helps.”
Defending event champion Hagan continued his success at Route 66 Raceway, winning the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge with a time of 3.880, 331.85 mph. Hagan recorded a .055-second reaction time to defeat Ron Capps, marking his first Challenge win of the year.
“That was a great race. I could hear him but I couldn’t see him. Ron and I go way back, 20 years at least. When we got to the end he said, ‘We should do that more often,’” Hagan said. “I’ve won championships with two different crew chiefs and I’d love nothing more than to win a third with Mike Knudsen. He’s earned it.”
Gaige Herrera kept Vance & Hines perfect in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, defeating Matt Smith with a time and speed of 6.722, 201.67 on his RevZilla/Mission Foods/Vance & Hines Suzuki. Herrera’s victory comes after Richard Gadson won the Challenge in Charlotte, solidifying the team’s strong performance.
“For Richard to get the Mission win (in Charlotte) and then for me to get this one, it’s just awesome for our whole team,” Herrera said. “It’s awesome that Mission puts this on each Saturday and it’s just something for us and the fans to get excited about.”
FRIDAY QUALIFYING – KALITTA, TODD, AND SMITH TAKE PROVISIONAL LEADS AT ROUTE 66 NHRA NATIONALS
There is a reason Chicago is called the Windy City.
Drag racers battled persistent crosswinds that clocked as high as 28 miles per hour during the first day of professional qualifying at the NHRA Route 66 Nationals presented by Peak.
Still, Doug Kalitta secured the provisional No. 1 spot in Top Fuel with a run of 3.788 seconds at 326.24 mph. During Friday’s two qualifying sessions, Kalitta was the only driver to dip into the 3.70s.
Teammate J.R. Todd (Funny Car) and Angie Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also claimed provisional No. 1 qualifiers in their respective categories. This event marks the sixth race in the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.
Kalitta’s run places him in a strong position to earn his fourth No. 1 qualifier in six races this year.
“That was definitely interesting. There was a big dust cloud off to the side, but thankfully it stayed off the track until we were done,” Kalitta said. “The car left well, and I thought it might shake the tires, but it didn’t. It made a solid run.
“I know it will be different tomorrow, but I’m happy with the way we ran. Thankfully, we have been good with both our cool and hot weather set-ups. I trust that AJ (Alan Johnson, crew chief) and our guys will figure it out.”
Justin Ashley is in second place with a time of 3.805 at 329.34, while Brittany Force ranks third with a 3.833, 327.03.
After a slow start to the season, Todd achieved a promising performance with a 3.982 at 326.71, putting him at the top of the Funny Car qualifying list. Todd, who entered the race eighth in points, refused to let Mother Nature keep him down.
“In Q1, everyone asked me if the wind affected me, but we didn’t go far enough for that to happen,” Todd said. “Then, I was sitting in the water behind Ron Capps and saw his car move towards the wall.
“I told myself I wasn’t going to spoil the run, so I began to give it some steering input to the right, perhaps a bit too much, but we got it down through there.
“Funny Cars are entertaining. They never seem to do the same thing twice. The one thing I like about Dickie (Venables, crew chief) is he’s not afraid to make changes. We have some parts we were planning to test at Indy, and he just decided to put some of them in for our second run. I appreciate that in a crew chief.”
Alexis DeJoria and Daniel Wilkerson are close behind, with times of 3.997, 324.05 and 3.998, 319.22.
In Pro Stock Motorcycle, only one qualifying run occurred due to high winds, with Angie Smith achieving the top spot with a 6.797, 199.29. “That was a smooth run … but the slow runs are usually the fast runs,” Smith said.
Richard Gadson and Chase Van Sant follow Smith with times of 6.824, 199.52, and 6.880, 196.27.
Qualifying at the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 Nationals will continue at noon CDT on Saturday.
Friday’s results after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the 25th annual Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK Performance at Route 66 Raceway, sixth 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, 3.788 seconds, 326.24 mph; 2. Justin Ashley, 3.805, 329.34; 3. Brittany Force, 3.833, 327.03; 4. Josh Hart, 3.838, 319.98; 5. Clay Millican, 3.845, 326.87; 6. Tony Stewart, 3.847, 320.36; 7. T.J. Zizzo, 3.849, 330.72; 8. Antron Brown, 3.907, 314.90; 9. Steve Torrence, 4.103, 227.65; 10. Shawn Reed, 4.150, 230.10; 11. Will Smith, 4.159, 231.08; 12. Dan Mercier, 4.173, 221.71; 13. Kyle Wurtzel, 4.819, 158.02; 14. Terry Totten, 5.227, 136.65; 15. Lex Joon, 6.276, 110.73; 16. Spencer Massey, 6.284, 98.03. Not Qualified: 17. Shawn Langdon, 6.349, 108.45.
Funny Car — 1. J.R. Todd, Toyota GR Supra, 3.982, 326.71; 2. Alexis DeJoria, Dodge Charger, 3.997, 324.05; 3. Daniel Wilkerson, Ford Mustang, 3.998, 319.22; 4. Ron Capps, GR Supra, 3.998, 318.17; 5. Jack Beckman, Chevy Camaro, 4.003, 319.52; 6. Bobby Bode, Mustang, 4.005, 313.58; 7. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.018, 322.88; 8. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 4.026, 321.35; 9. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 4.029, 325.69; 10. Chad Green, Mustang, 4.038, 321.65; 11. Buddy Hull, Charger, 4.057, 319.98; 12. Dave Richards, Mustang, 4.085, 311.49; 13. Paul Lee, Charger, 4.143, 253.85; 14. Austin Prock, Camaro, 4.816, 166.87; 15. Blake Alexander, Charger, 4.909, 162.49; 16. Chris King, Charger, 5.546, 130.34. Not Qualified: 17. Spencer Hyde, 5.989, 113.59; 18. Dale Creasy Jr., 6.758, 98.74; 19. Justin Schriefer, 11.056, 81.19.
Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Angie Smith, Buell, 6.797, 199.29; 2. Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.824, 199.52; 3. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.880, 196.27; 4. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 6.889, 196.85; 5. Marc Ingwersen, EBR, 6.892, 196.36; 6. John Hall, Beull, 6.906, 195.82; 7. Jianna Evaristo, Buell, 6.909, 195.99; 8. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 7.011, 193.71; 9. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 7.034, 192.49; 10. Geno Scali, Suzuki, 7.248, 189.12; 11. Matt Smith, Buell, 7.341, 142.96; 12. Wesley Wells, Suzuki, 7.468, 181.35; 13. Ryan Oehler, EBR, 8.075, 118.09; 14. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 8.171, 116.10; 15. Lance Bonham, Buell, 8.899, 99.83.
THURSDAY SPORTSMAN QUALIFYING – BARTON, HARTMAN AND RICE SET THE PACE IN SPORTSMAN QUALIFYING AT NHRA ROUTE 66 NATIONALS
Super Stock, Stock, and Top Dragster completed their qualifying at the NHRA Route 66 Nationals outside of Chicago.
In Super Stock, David Barton from Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania topped the second qualifying session with a run of 9.382 seconds in his 2014 Mustang, finishing 0.818 seconds under the FSS/F index. Jeff Bryson was in his 2002 Alero, clocking in at 10.948 seconds, which was 0.802 under the GT/QA index.
Matthew Hartman of Canfield, Ohio secured the No. 1 one spot in Stock with a 9.150-second pass in his 2019 Camaro, running under the FS/B index, 0.850 seconds. Ben Wenzel’s 1967 Camaro finished second with a -.796, 10.554 seconds in C/Stock Automatic, while Marion Stephenson, driving a 2015 Camaro, took third with a -.792, 9.808 seconds.
In Top Dragster, Greg Rice from Maryland Heights, Missouri claimed the top spot with a 6.159-second run, at 225.97 mph. J.B. Strassweg was second with a time of 6.193 seconds in his Miller-Chevy. Jim Prevo rounded out the top three, posting a time of 6.222 seconds.
SUPER STOCK (Q-2)
1 1990 FSS/F David Barton, Sinking Spring PA, ’14 Must 9.382 10.20 -0.818
2 3052 GT/QA Jeff Bryson, Washington IL, ’02 Alero 10.948 11.75 -0.802
3 3012 SS/DA Jeremy Duncan, Charlestown IN, ’69 Camaro 9.399 10.20 -0.801
4 368 SS/TB Fred Allen, Winemac IN, ’03 S-10 9.108 9.90 -0.792
5 3662 FSS/D Scott Libersher, Wilmington IL, ’23 Camaro 9.114 9.90 -0.786
6 36 GT/CA Todd Frantz, Louisville KY, ’08 G5 9.132 9.90 -0.768
7 3711 SS/IA Chuck Belanger, Taylorsville KY, ’96 Fire 9.943 10.70 -0.757
8 3592 GT/KA Greg Meyer, N. Aurora IL, ’92 Firebird 10.156 10.90 -0.744
9 5 GT/KA Logan Belanger, Elizabeth IN, ’88 Firebird10.165 10.90 -0.735
10 10 SS/JA Brett Speer, Fort Ripley MN, ’90 Camaro 10.276 11.00 -0.724
STOCK (FINAL)
1 301H FS/B Matthew Hartman, Canfield OH, ’19 Camaro 9.150 10.00 -0.850
2 751 C/S Ben Wenzel, Freeland MI, ’67 Camaro 10.554 11.35 -0.796
3 28 FS/D Marion Stephenson, Williamsport IN, ’15 C 9.808 10.60 -0.792
4 541 FS/C Larry DeForrest, Polk City FL, ’10 Mustang 9.512 10.30 -0.788
5 34 FS/B Briana Splingaire, Minooa IL, ’22 Camaro 9.225 10.00 -0.775
6 321 B/S William Shepherd, Onalaska WI, ’99 Firebi 10.432 11.20 -0.768
7 3251 C/SA Billy Foder, Garden City MI, ’70 Trans Am 10.650 11.40 -0.750
8 543 FS/C Billy Maddox, Sidney NE, ’15 Challenger 9.551 10.30 -0.749
9 3807 A/SA Mike Delahanty, Novi MI, ’64 Belvedere 10.255 11.00 -0.745
10 3384 I/SA Mike McGinley, Lebanon IN, ’89 Firebird 11.564 12.30 -0.736
TOP DRAGSTER (Q-2)
1 587 Greg Rice, Maryland Hieghts MO, Profab-Chevy 6.159 225.97 225.97
2 3991 J.B. Strassweg, Evansville IN, Miller-Chevy 6.193 218.37 219.04
3 3505 Jim Prevo, Mundelein IL, VRN-REHE 6.222 224.73 224.73
4 320X Matt Sackman, Knoxville TN, Spitzer-Chevy 6.302 193.88 193.88
5 2124 Jeff Strickland, Red Bay AL, American-Chevy 6.365 219.83 219.83
6 5192 Mark Grame, Overland Park KS, Grame-Chevy 6.727 200.00 200.00
7 353 Bruno Massel, Elmhurst IL, Spitzer-Chevy 6.875 199.46 199.46
8 3102 Mark McDonald, Booneville IN, Miller-Chevy 6.992 191.62 191.62
9 359X Zach Sackman, Channahon IL, Spitzer-Chevy 7.041 188.89 188.89
10 351G Daniel Wood, Wabash IN, American-Chevy 7.089 189.26 189.26
