Photos by Mike Burghardt
TONY STEWART, AUSTIN PROCK, AND DALLAS GLENN SCORE WINS AT NHRA 4-WIDE NATIONALS
Tony Stewart captured his first Top Fuel win Sunday, defeating reigning NHRA champion Antron Brown, Jasmine Salinas, and Justin Ashley in the final. Stewart recorded a time of 3.870 seconds at 317.42 mph, adding to his growing list of accolades in motorsports.
Joining Stewart in the winners circle at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway were former Stewart sprint car associate turned Funny Car champion Austin Prock and Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock).
The victory marks a significant milestone for Stewart, who earned NHRA Rookie of the Year honors last year and reached the finals two weeks ago in Pomona. It will hold a special place alongside series titles in NASCAR, IndyCar and USAC competition.
“It’s unreal. I haven’t been around the NHRA that long, and I realize it takes a long time to win a race in this series, but everything in my career, I never had to wait over a year to win a race. I always figured it out in the first year, and multiple ones normally, so I’m just very appreciative of this win,” Stewart said.
“Last year was so stressful after Leah (Pruett, wife) almost won a world championship (in 2023), and I get in the car last year, and the people in the stands think I’m the reason the car sucks. It wasn’t that we had bad people tuning on it, it was just, it was a different combination. There were different variables that change. My body weight is different, tubing changes from rules changes, but it was still really frustrating we could not get on a path to where we could make gains last year.
“I think probably the one thing that may not sink in as much right now, but when Leah brought (son) Dom up on the stage there, that’s an emotion that you can’t even think about or dream of. When I saw her coming up those steps with him, my heart stopped. That was a feeling I’ve never had in my life before, and I have a feeling when I lay down and put my head on a pillow tonight, that’s going to be the one thing that I want to reflect on the most tonight.”
Brown finished as the runner-up with a 3.912, 302.35, while Stewart’s victory moved him to second in the Top Fuel standings behind Shawn Langdon.
Prock returned to 2024 championship form in Funny Car, securing his first win of the season with a run of 4.009 seconds at 316.01 mph. Prock held off Paul Lee, Matt Hagan, and Dave Richards in the final, following a strong semifinal performance where he recorded a time of 3.964 seconds.
“We haven’t had the success that we had last year, but we’re still the same team,” Prock said. “We always expect to show up and win. We want to go set low E.T. every round, and we want to win every race, so when we’re not doing that, it’s hard to keep your head up when things aren’t going right, especially when your expectations are so high. So, for all of us to come together is great.
“It feels really good, man. Opening up in Gainesville, it just wasn’t a great weekend, and we just struggled in Pomona after a good weekend in Phoenix, but just couldn’t put it all together. You just want to hold one of these Wally (trophies) again because you don’t know how long it’s going to take before you win another one.”
Lee finished as the runner-up with a 4.042, 311.77, marking his second final-round appearance of the year. Prock’s win moved him to third in the points standings.
Glenn claimed the Pro Stock victory against points leader Greg Anderson, Matt Hartford, and Matt Latino, finishing with a 6.649 seconds, 206.83. The victory was the 15th of Glenn’s career and third at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
“I’m really thrilled,” Glenn said, recalling a challenging day that included a nosebleed during staging. “I still made a decent run going into the second round … It’s a good day. The car is working great.”
Hartford secured his first runner-up finish of the season.
Anderson maintained his position at the top of the Pro Stock standings, leaving Vegas with a four-point edge over Glenn.
The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series resumes action April 25-27 with the 15th annual NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte.
DOUG KALITTA CLAIMS NO. 1 SPOT IN VEGAS. LEE, ANDERSON MAINTAIN TOP SPOTS
Doug Kalitta secured the No. 1 qualifying position in Top Fuel and won the Mission Foods ##2Fast2Tasty Challenge at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. He was joined at the top by Paul Lee in Funny Car and Greg Anderson in Pro Stock during the fourth of 20 races in the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.
Kalitta finished with a time of 3.730 seconds at 331.04 mph in his Mac Tools dragster. He surpassed No. 2 qualifier Brittany Force, who had taken the top spot from Steve Torrence earlier in the day.
Kalitta will battle Justin Ashley and Clay Millican in the opening round of eliminations in his attempt to repeat as 4-Wide Nationals champion.
“Besides Sonoma, I think this is the closest track to where Alan (Johnson, crew chief) lives, so he typically has a lot of people that come out,” Kalitta said. “So, I’m going to have to give the love to Alan on this one, because this is like his home track and maybe that has something to do with it.”
Force’s run of 3.754 seconds at 333.16 mph placed her second, with Antron Brown moving to third at 3.787, 326.08.
In Funny Car, Lee maintained the No. 1 qualifying spot for the first time this season with a run of 3.940 seconds at 326.08 mph in his McLeod/FTI Performance Dodge Charger SRT. He finished Saturday with a solid 3.981-second run as he prepares for his opening quad, which includes Daniel Wilkerson, Bob Tasca III, and Gainesville winner Chad Green.
“We feel good about tomorrow. That (3.981 in Q4), was going to be a low 3.90, but it dropped a hole about half-track and slowed up,” Lee said. “This has been our goal, to be a top-five car. We want to be able to roll in the gate and be able to win a race, and we’re getting there.”
Austin Prock qualified second with a time of 3.948 seconds at 322.58, while #2Fast2Tasty victor and Funny Car rookie Spencer Hyde took third with a 3.965 at 320.20.
In Pro Stock, Anderson set the pace with the quickest pass in both sessions Saturday, qualifying his HendrickCars.com Camaro in the No. 1 spot for the third time this season and the 135th time in his career. He expressed confidence ahead of Sunday’s eliminations, when he faces Cristian Cuadra, Jeg Coughlin Jr., and Eric Latino in the opening round.
“I feel fantastic about the car. The loose nut behind the wheel, maybe not so much,” Anderson said. “Just the four-wide is a tricky deal. We both hit the light at the exact same time and every time that seems to happen, it seems like it’s an extra-long light. That’s my kryptonite against me every time and it got me.
“Bottom line is, I’m proud of the guys. I’m proud of the product we’ve got out here. I’m proud of the race cars, everybody under this KB Titan banner right now. It’s a hell of a feeling, like I said; a proud papa. We’ll come back tomorrow with a little bit more fire in the belly and hopefully close the deal, because I don’t like to lose.”
Cody Coughlin qualified second in Pro Stock with a 6.636, 205.60, while Dallas Glenn secured the third position. Most notably, six-time champion Erica Enders failed to qualify, marking the first time she has missed a qualification since the 2016 Charlotte fall race.
Eliminations for the 25th annual NHRA 4-Wide Nationals begin at noon PDT on Sunday.
KALITTA, HYDE, AND GLENN WIN MISSION ##2FAST2TASTY CHALLENGE AT NHRA 4-WIDE NATIONALS
Doug Kalitta claimed victory in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge with a standout performance at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway during the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals. The former Top Fuel champion posted a time of 3.730 seconds at 331.04 mph, which earned him the No. 1 qualifying spot for eliminations.
Spencer Hyde (Funny Car) and Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock) also secured wins in the latest Mission ##2Fast2Tasty Challenge, the first for the Las Vegas event. Kalitta’s impressive pass marked his second No. 1 qualifier of the year and the 60th of his career.
Kalitta defeated Brittany Force, Tony Stewart, and Clay Millican. Kalitta and teammate Shawn Langdon have won every #2Fast2Tasty races this season.
“Yeah, I really like the format, being able to race on Saturdays. It’s brought a lot more to the fans,” Kalitta said. “I think they’re all engaged a little more on Saturdays. We ended up winning (the 4-Wides) last year. So, for me, coming to these races that you won the previous year, you really want to get it done again.”
Hyde earned his first NHRA win with a time of 3.968 seconds at 318.54 mph. The rookie, who faced challenges in earlier races this season, advanced to the semifinals in Pomona two weeks ago, and capitalized on his opportunity in Las Vegas.
“It’s pretty cool. Obviously, we had a little rough start to the season – didn’t qualify in Gainesville, didn’t qualify in Phoenix – but we’re putting that behind us,” Hyde said. “We had a great outing in Pomona, going to the semifinals and obviously here with this win. I’m getting more comfortable in the car, getting some good, clean runs in.
“That’s the first time it’s blown up on me at the finish line, so that was exciting. I’ve been waiting for the last couple runs. I knew it dropped a hole (cylinder) in the last run, and it’s not if, it’s when in these things, so I just been kind of waiting for it. It wasn’t too bad it – just popped the blower off – but there was no big fireball or anything, so all good.”
In Pro Stock, Glenn edged out his KB Titan Racing teammate Greg Anderson with a holeshot victory, running 6.637 at 206.13 seconds. Although Anderson posted the quicker time at 6.614, Glenn’s .022 reaction time secured his win in the specialty race.
“I’m really thrilled, because three of us basically staged at the same time, and then I didn’t feel like I hit the tree,” Glenn said. “I was happy to see I was .022, and then the car made a right turn. I was out in the weeds and it was spinning and bouncing. It was a little more shocking to see the win light come on.
“It was definitely a big confidence boost. I feel like we’re still working on the car. We’re still getting a little bit better, and I feel like I can miss it and still be .022, so I’m definitely feeling more comfortable in the car, too. We have a lot of momentum going into Sunday.”
Eliminations for the 25th annual NHRA 4-Wide Nationals begin at noon PDT Sunday at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
FRIDAY QUALIFYING – TORRENCE, LEE, ANDERSON TOP PROVISIONAL QUALIFIERS AT NHRA 4-WIDE NATIONALS
Four-time Top Fuel world champion Steve Torrence secured the provisional No. 1 qualifier on Friday at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway during the 25th annual NHRA 4-Wide Nationals. Joining him at the top of their categories are Paul Lee in Funny Car and Greg Anderson in Pro Stock at the fourth of 20 races that comprise the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series.
Torrence clocked a time of 3.840 seconds at 320.81 mph in his Capco Contractors dragster, one of only two drivers to break into the 3.80s on a warm day in Las Vegas. If he maintains this position, it would mark his 41st career No. 1 qualifier and fifth win at Las Vegas.
“When you come to Vegas, you come here with expectations and it could be like this, or it could be cold. It could be Candy Land, or it could be tricky and tough to navigate, and this is what we got today,” Torrence said. “It looks like we’ll have that for the rest of the weekend. We had a little bit of luck on the first run, but it went 900 of the 1,000 feet on seven cylinders and it went down through there pretty quick.”
Justin Ashley also broke into the 3.80s, securing second place with a 3.892, 315.27. Tony Stewart rounded out the top three with a time of 3.904, 319.45.
In Funny Car, Lee demonstrated his team’s capability with a strong run of 3.940 at 326.08 mph in his McLeod/FTI Performance Dodge Charger SRT. Lee is in contention for his second career No. 1 qualifier, just two races after winning his first career Funny Car race in Phoenix.
“I mean, it’s 135 degrees (on the track) and we were hoping to run like a 3.97 or 3.98 because we saw that it was out there,” Lee said. “Jonnie (Lindberg, crew chief), he’s an aggressive guy and he thought it could hold a little bit more, so he put some extra nuts on the clutch and I went and it held.
“That was close to the limit. It chattered pretty good and tried to break the tires loose, but I just kept going and it held.”
Rookie Spencer Hyde is currently second with a time of 3.965 at 320.20, while J.R. Todd follows closely behind with a 3.970, 323.66.
Anderson took the No. 1 position in Pro Stock with a 6.637 at 205.32 mph in his HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro. Anderson aims for his third No. 1 qualifier in four races, building on his recent success with two consecutive race wins.
“This is Las Vegas, and being the four-wide event we know anything can happen,” Anderson said. “We went over the edge a little bit on the second run. It teaches them – hopefully – where the line is, where the limit is.”
Matt Hartford currently holds second with a 6.646, 204.08, while Cory Reed is third, running a 6.655, 205.32 mph.
Qualifying resumes Saturday at noon PDT.
Results Friday after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the 25th annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, fourth of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday’s final eliminations.
Top Fuel — 1. Steve Torrence, 3.840 seconds, 320.81 mph; 2. Justin Ashley, 3.892, 315.27; 3. Tony Stewart, 3.904, 319.45; 4. Antron Brown, 3.916, 312.35; 5. Josh Hart, 3.918, 310.20; 6. Shawn Reed, 3.953, 309.77; 7. Doug Kalitta, 4.084, 243.94; 8. Jasmine Salinas, 4.372, 190.94; 9. Clay Millican, 4.692, 163.61; 10. Rob Passey, 4.800, 237.13; 11. Shawn Langdon, 4.846, 152.26; 12. Scott Palmer, 5.410, 115.49; 13. Brittany Force, 6.725, 89.46.
Funny Car — 1. Paul Lee, Dodge Charger, 3.940, 326.08; 2. Spencer Hyde, Ford Mustang, 3.965, 320.20; 3. J.R. Todd, Toyota GR Supra, 3.970, 323.66; 4. Austin Prock, Chevy Camaro, 3.972, 325.22; 5. Jack Beckman, Camaro, 3.972, 321.50; 6. Hunter Green, Charger, 3.980, 322.42; 7. Daniel Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.011, 324.51; 8. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 4.023, 315.05; 9. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 4.034, 316.08; 10. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.071, 315.19; 11. Bobby Bode, GR Supra, 4.102, 305.84; 12. Dave Richards, Mustang, 4.118, 279.15; 13. Buddy Hull, Charger, 4.173, 278.00; 14. Dylan Winefsky, Charger, 4.271, 284.15; 15. Chad Green, Mustang, 4.518, 192.08; 16. Jeff Diehl, Toyota Camry, 4.620, 190.78. Not Qualified: 17. Jason Rupert, 4.674, 188.94; 18. Alexis DeJoria, 4.920, 163.39; 19. Ron Capps, 7.018, 102.31.
Pro Stock — 1. Greg Anderson, Chevy Camaro, 6.637, 205.32; 2. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.646, 206.16; 3. Cory Reed, Camaro, 6.655, 205.32; 4. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.659, 206.07; 5. Matt Latino, Camaro, 6.671, 205.79; 6. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.671, 206.16; 7. Brandon Foster, Camaro, 6.671, 205.04; 8. Mason McGaha, Camaro, 6.677, 205.54; 9. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.696, 205.44; 10. Cristian Cuadra, Ford Mustang, 6.702, 204.54; 11. Cody Coughlin, Camaro, 6.705, 203.40; 12. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.714, 204.39; 13. Greg Stanfield, Camaro, 6.716, 205.13; 14. Stephen Bell, Camaro, 6.724, 204.54; 15. David Cuadra, Camaro, 6.724, 203.68; 16. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.726, 204.32. Not Qualified: 17. Eric Latino, 6.730, 203.68; 18. Erica Enders, 6.736, 205.88; 19. Fernando Cuadra Jr., 6.748, 204.35; 20. Kenny Delco, 6.754, 204.45; 21. Troy Coughlin Jr., 6.808, 180.86; 22. Joey Grose, 12.851, 121.16.
FRIDAY SPORTSMAN QUALIFYING
TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER (Q-2)
1 7196 TA/D Melanie Johnson, Ventura CA, Hadman-AJPE 5.270 275.00 275.00
2 1 TA/D Shawn Cowie, Langley BC, Hadman-HEMI 5.283 273.94 273.94
3 613 TA/D Joey Severance, Woodburn OR, Indy Speed 5.292 271.62 271.62
4 6 TA/D Matthew Cummings, Pompano Beach FL, Drag 5.329 269.67 269.67
5 52 TA/D James Stevens, Gothenburg NE, Dragster-M 5.338 271.79 271.79
6 6871 TA/D McKenna Bold, Red Deer AB, Copeland-BAEE 5.349 266.11 272.23
7 412m TA/D Julio Rodriguez, New Braunfels TX, Drags 5.351 266.11 266.11
8 710V TA/D Taylor Januik, Las Vegas NV, Dragster-He 5.372 269.40 269.40
9 6115 TA/D Mike Quayle, Red Deer AB, Copeland-Hemi 5.403 262.74 267.32
10 672 TA/D Mike Austin, Medford OR, CNE-CHRY 5.447 264.34 264.34
TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR (Q-2)
1 2 Madison Gordon, Paso Robles CA, ’25 Camaro 5.579 262.44 262.44
2 744 Shane Westerfield, Fullerton CA, ’18 Camaro 5.634 261.83 261.83
3 3 Brian Hough, Junction City OR, ’23 Camaro 5.666 257.87 257.87
4 7 Ray Martin, Anchorage AK, ’24 Camaro 5.690 246.30 246.30
5 7735 Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina CA, ’22 Camaro 5.713 256.31 256.31
6 7238 Bret Williamson, Gilroy CA, ’22 Camaro 5.799 252.61 252.61
7 1 Sean Bellemeur, Placentia CA, ’25 Camaro 5.806 243.85 243.85
8 757 Mike Doushgounian, San Martin CA, ’23 Camaro 5.980 249.63 249.63
9 6 Annie Whiteley, Grand Junction CO, ’23 Camaro 8.444 136.68 136.68
COMPETITION (FINAL)
1 10 A/A Ryan Priddy, Chino CA, ’20 Camaro 6.549 7.24 -0.691
2 46 B/DA Jeff Taylor, Sellersburg IN, Spitzer 6.806 7.47 -0.664
3 7189 A/ND Dean Carter, Peoria AZ, Dragster-Chevy 6.868 7.53 -0.662
4 1 A/EA Cody Lane, Seattle WA, ’32 Roadster 7.358 8.01 -0.652
5 590 A/ED Clint Neff, Arvada CO, Clack-Ford 6.626 7.27 -0.644
6 8 C/SM Taylor Chomiski, Dallas TX, ’08 Chevy Cob 8.288 8.91 -0.622
7 799 B/A Steve Graham, S. San Francisco CA, ’15 Ca 7.063 7.68 -0.617
8 7235 C/ED Scott McClay, Tehachapi CA, BOS-Dodge 7.378 7.94 -0.562
9 5900 J/DA Cali Neff, Westminster CO, Fritz 7.831 8.37 -0.539
10 600 E/SMA Jeff Lane, North Bend WA, ’05 Chevy Caval 8.588 9.10 -0.512
SUPER STOCK (FINAL)
1 796 SS/EA Tony Hewes, Las Vegas NV, ’69 Mustang 9.577 10.52 -0.943
2 42 GT/HA Hunter Pierdolla, Fredericksburg TX, ’97 9.794 10.68 -0.886
3 286 FSS/F Jeff Adkinson, Damacus GA, ’13 Camaro 9.492 10.37 -0.878
4 7680 FSS/F Tom Ferruggia, Menifee CA, ’13 Camaro 9.494 10.37 -0.876
5 718 SS/FA Chuck Stubeck, Chatsworth CA, ’69 Road Ru 9.808 10.63 -0.822
6 6186 SS/JA Dave Kelly, Walla Walla WA, ’98 Firebird 10.369 11.19 -0.821
7 5218 FGT/J Neal Rhodes, Elizabeth CO, ’08 Mustang 9.973 10.78 -0.807
8 4688 SS/IA Mike Cotten, Cave Creek AZ, ’70 Cuda 10.077 10.88 -0.803
9 2019 FSS/B Michael Howard, Ellabell GA, ’19 Camaro 8.552 9.35 -0.798
10 7304 SS/GA Tom Armanino, San Mateo CA, ’68 Camaro 9.936 10.73 -0.794
STOCK (FINAL)
1 652 F/S Bob Gullett, Calgary AB, ’68 Chevy II 10.924 12.00 -1.076
2 7981 D/SA Michael Wann, Modesto CA, ’69 Barracuda 10.758 11.74 -0.982
3 7961 D/SA Debbie Hewes, Las Vegas NV, ’71 Mustang 10.760 11.74 -0.980
4 7980 AA/SA Steve Wann, Modesto CA, ’63 Savoy 9.902 10.88 -0.978
5 543 FS/C Billy Maddox, Sidney NE, ’15 Challenger 9.495 10.47 -0.975
6 3082 A/S Brett Saurbaugh, West Olive MI, ’67 Corve 10.192 11.13 -0.938
7 603 FS/AA Larry McLanahan, Kennewick WA, ’19 Mustang 8.640 9.56 -0.920
8 728 FS/A Brent Calvert, Lancaster CA, ’14 Mustang 8.946 9.86 -0.914
9 2426 F/SA Mitch Kight, Rougemont NC, ’69 Barracuda 11.138 12.05 -0.912
10 7241 I/SA Ray Vickers, Farmington NM, ’74 Firebird 11.605 12.51 -0.905
TOP DRAGSTER (FINAL)
1 613 Stan Essery, Sherwood Park AB, Maddox-Chevy 6.132 217.28 217.28
2 7237 Steve Will, Fortuna CA, Dragster-BAEE 6.137 233.60 233.60
3 7100 Dan Naylor, Colfax CA, Dragster-Chevy 6.142 223.50 223.50
4 699B Aaron Steinkey, Dunmore AB, TNT-MUSI 6.166 227.65 227.65
5 633J Jordan Dooley, Shelton WA, Sarmento-Chevy 6.183 224.21 224.21
6 75 Don London, Lake Havasu City AZ, M&M-Chevy 6.208 228.19 228.19
7 213A Anthony Bertozzi, Ashland VA, Dragster-Chevy 6.230 225.86 225.86
8 425W Jordan Ward, Mena AR, Racecraft-Chevy 6.236 224.40 224.40
9 8 Thomas Bayer, Cherry Valley CA, Miller-Chevy 6.237 228.27 228.27
10 6301 Jenna Michaud, Edmonton AB, TNT-SDPC 6.255 222.33 222.33
TOP SPORTSMAN (FINAL)
1 699B Aaron Steinkey, Dunmore AB, ’68 Camaro 6.387 222.07 222.07
2 7450 Don Meziere, Escondido CA, ’18 Corvette 6.418 201.70 201.70
3 1 Allen Firestone, Velma OK, ’16 Camaro 6.473 213.13 213.60
4 404M Florentino Martin, New Braunfel TX, ’15 Camaro 6.628 216.00 216.00
5 76 Jeff Utterback, Los Angeles CA, ’69 Chevelle 6.696 206.73 206.73
6 53 Tom Patterson, Lorette West MB, ’94 Camaro 6.713 213.77 213.77
7 7038 Pat Warr, Erda UT, ’19 Corvette 6.727 204.66 204.66
8 61 Will Yakimetz, Vegreville AB, ’69 Camaro 6.783 207.82 207.82
9 7534 Paul Mitsos, Eastvale CA, ’23 Camaro 6.794 204.48 204.63
10 7134 Bryan Warr, Riverton UT, ’69 Camaro 6.831 201.16 201.16
BOBBY BENNETT: AND THAT’S THE WAY IT IS … APRIL 29, 2025