Photos by Ron Lewis, Todd Dziadosz
It seems only fitting that after last year’s Virginia Motorsports Park tragedy involving John Force, his team would deliver in their return to the track located outside of Richmond, Va. And it did so in a big way.
Brittany Force, Jack Beckman, and Brayden Davis each secured No. 1 qualifier positions Saturday during the Virginia NHRA Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park.
The event marked the ninth race in the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season, with all qualifying rounds completed in one day amid high heat.
Brittany Force led Top Fuel qualifying with a 3.839-second pass at 327.98 mph in her Chevrolet dragster. It was her second No. 1 qualifier of the year and 54th of her career.
She made two consistent runs Saturday and will face points leader Tony Stewart in Sunday’s opening elimination round. Stewart struggled throughout all three qualifying sessions, with a best attempt of 8.979 seconds.
“It’s definitely tough coming back to this racetrack with the memories I have from this place,” Force said. “It’s like the only thing I really remember is Sunday last year when my dad wrecked and everything that came with that.”
Clay Millican posted a 3.864 at 324.90 to qualify second, while Steve Torrence’s 3.877 run in the Mission Challenge placed him third.
Beckman clocked the only three-second run of the day in Funny Car, recording a 3.988 at 320.51 mph in John Force’s Peak Chevrolet SS. The former champion claimed his third No. 1 qualifier of the season and 31st of his career.
Beckman will face Jim Campbell in the opening round and is eyeing another win for JFR. He credited the Richmond track surface as among the best on the tour.
“Our car is superb on cool racetracks with throwdown runs,” Beckman said. “I actually think our car is even better on hot race tracks, and I think we’ve proven that a few times.”
Austin Prock, Beckman’s JFR teammate, qualified second with a 4.004 at 320.36, followed by J.R. Todd’s 4.018 at 320.05.
Davis continued his breakout season in Pro Stock Motorcycle, earning his second consecutive No. 1 qualifier with a 6.757-second run at 198.65 mph. It’s only his third career start. He also won the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge earlier in the day and will begin eliminations against Marc Ingwersen. Davis is seeking his first NHRA win.
“I’m enjoying the moment and the ride while I have it,” Davis said. “I really feel like we have a good shot at it tomorrow.”
Matt Smith qualified second with a 6.768 at 201.43, and John Hall followed with a 6.787 at 199.97.
Eliminations for the American Rebel Light Virginia NHRA Nationals are scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. EDT on Sunday.
Sunday’s first-round pairings for eliminations for the Fifth annual American Rebel Light Virginia NHRA Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park, the ninth of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday.
Top Fuel — 1. Brittany Force, 3.839 seconds, 327.98 mph vs. 14. Tony Stewart, 8.979, 79.59; 2. Clay Millican, 3.864, 324.90 vs. 13. Smax Smith, 5.979, 107.70; 3. Steve Torrence, 3.877, 324.28 vs. 12. Josh Hart, 5.956, 108.41; 4. Shawn Reed, 3.885, 323.74 vs. 11. Dan Mercier, 4.284, 206.07; 5. Shawn Langdon, 3.891, 325.45 vs. 10. Cameron Ferre, 4.070, 287.60; 6. Doug Foley, 3.896, 310.91 vs. 9. Justin Ashley, 3.950, 305.63; 7. Doug Kalitta, 3.905, 327.43 vs. 8. Antron Brown, 3.944, 312.50.
Funny Car — 1. Jack Beckman, Chevy Camaro, 3.988, 320.51 vs. 16. Jim Campbell, Ford Mustang, 9.864, 74.26; 2. Austin Prock, Camaro, 4.004, 321.73 vs. 15. Cruz Pedregon, Dodge Charger, 5.867, 118.17; 3. J.R. Todd, Toyota GR Supra, 4.018, 320.05 vs. 14. Buddy Hull, Charger, 5.184, 144.64; 4. Daniel Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.022, 320.74 vs. 13. Dave Richards, Mustang, 4.267, 291.45; 5. Ron Capps, GR Supra, 4.028, 320.81 vs. 12. Chad Green, Mustang, 4.081, 314.17; 6. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.039, 319.07 vs. 11. Hunter Green, Charger, 4.080, 314.46; 7. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 4.047, 319.75 vs. 10. Spencer Hyde, Mustang, 4.069, 306.46; 8. Alexis DeJoria, Charger, 4.050, 317.79 vs. 9. Paul Lee, Charger, 4.052, 307.93.
Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Brayden Davis, Suzuki, 6.757, 198.85 vs. 16. Marc Ingwersen, EBR, 6.924, 194.72; 2. Matt Smith, Buell, 6.768, 201.43 vs. 15. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.907, 196.44; 3. John Hall, Beull, 6.787, 199.97 vs. 14. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 6.898, 196.50; 4. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.793, 199.49 vs. 13. Ron Tornow, Victory, 6.898, 198.55; 5. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.801, 197.54 vs. 12. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 6.897, 197.62; 6. Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.809, 199.73 vs. 11. Hector Arana Jr, EBR, 6.877, 198.09; 7. Angie Smith, Buell, 6.813, 199.70 vs. 10. Dystany Spurlock, Buell, 6.870, 194.66; 8. Ryan Oehler, EBR, 6.848, 198.44 vs. 9. Jianna Evaristo, Buell, 6.863, 199.29.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Brandon Litten, 6.960, 192.58.
TORRENCE, WILKERSON, DAVIS CLAIM MISSION #2FAST2TASTY CHALLENGE WINS AT VIRGINIA NHRA NATIONALS
Steve Torrence defeated Shawn Langdon in the Top Fuel final of the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge on Saturday at Virginia Motorsports Park, continuing his recent surge less than two weeks after a win in Bristol.
Daniel Wilkerson (Funny Car) and Brayden Davis (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also secured wins in the NHRA specialty event, held during the fifth annual American Rebel Light Virginia NHRA Nationals.
Torrence posted a 3.877-second run at 324.28 mph in his Capco Contractors dragster to edge Langdon’s 3.927 at 325.45. It marked Torrence’s first Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge victory of the season.
The four-time Top Fuel champion is seeking his first back-to-back race wins since 2021. He ended a prolonged winless stretch in Bristol and appears poised for another strong outing on Sunday.
“We’re just going to keep on doing what we’re doing,” Torrence said. “The consistency of the car has not been there, and so we need to work on that.”
“That’s been the main focus for the last few years, and we’ve lost that, and it seems to be coming back around right now, with three good runs on a very tricky racetrack,” he added. “We carried over some of the momentum from Bristol to the same conditions here.”
Torrence also emphasized the importance of the bonus points earned in the Mission Challenge, particularly with the Countdown to the Championship ahead. “We’re going to try to gain as many points as possible after skipping the race at Phoenix and not doing well at the first of the year,” he said.
In Funny Car, Wilkerson recorded a 4.038-second pass at 320.74 mph in his Scag Power Equipment Ford Mustang, holding off Ron Capps’ 4.063. It was Wilkerson’s first Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge win and his second final-round appearance this year.
Wilkerson advanced past Paul Lee in the opening round before defeating Capps in a wire-to-wire effort. He credited his crew for the win and expressed confidence heading into Sunday eliminations.
“Honestly, I wasn’t sure winning would mean this much until it did,” Wilkerson said. “I feel like I let the team down a couple times this year and last, and to not mess it up this time — that was really the most important part for me.”
“There are a lot of people that work on these cars out here on a rough track or hot track,” he added. “Tim [Wilkerson] is my choice.”
Davis, in just his third career Pro Stock Motorcycle start, defeated teammate Richard Gadson to claim his first Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge victory. Davis went 6.772 seconds at 198.70 mph to beat Gadson, who captured the Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol.
Davis also secured the No. 1 qualifying spot earlier in the day with a 6.757-second run at 198.65 mph. His rapid rise has made him a contender in the class.
“When you race for the Vance & Hines team you know, you have top-notch equipment,” Davis said. “With Andrew (Hines) on the keyboard, when he says it’s going to do something, it’s going to do it.
“It’s proved it every pass this weekend,” Davis added. “You never go up there with any doubt, and it’s left up to you, and if you get beat, then it just wasn’t your day.”
FRIDAY SPORTSMAN – QUALIFYING RESULTS
FACTORY X (Q2)
1 313 Jesse Alexandra, West Bend WI, ’24 Camaro 6.861 198.03 198.03
2 10 Conner Statler, Haughton LA, ’24 Camaro 6.908 197.86 197.86
3 3334 Chris Holbrook, Livonia MI, ’25 Mustang 10.591 85.51 85.51
COMPETITION ELIMINATOR (FINAL)
1 7 I/SM Joe Carnasciale, Ashway RI, ’07 Cavalier 8.817 9.48 -0.663
2 2262 H/SM Mark Moreland, Edenton NC, ’90 Camaro 9.093 9.57 -0.477
3 1869 E/A Jay Schonberger, Phladelphia PA, ’96 Cutl 7.852 8.32 -0.468
4 2078 C/DA Chad Logan, Nokesville VA, Mike Bos 7.158 7.60 -0.442
5 1867 I/SM Richard Schonberger, Southhampton PA, ’06 9.122 9.55 -0.428
6 1262 C/A Kevin Houghtaling, Henrico VA, ’02 Cavali 7.824 7.93 -0.106
7 723 F/DA Charles Myers, Winterville NC, Easttexas 8.712 8.74 -0.028
8 2229 B/AA Lonnie Johnson, S Chesterfield VA, ’99 Ne 9.116 7.55 1.566
9 211 M/AA Johnny Treadwell, Eustis FL, ’23-T Ford 13.636 8.38 5.256
SUPER STOCK (FINAL)
1 23 SS/IA Troy Huntzberry, Hagerstown MD, ’87 Camaro 9.610 10.70 -1.090
2 1325 SS/MA Robert Bagley, Warsaw VA, ’57 Station Wag 10.952 11.85 -0.898
3 2701 GT/JA Kenneth Horne, Fayetteville NC, ’97 Achie 9.905 10.80 -0.895
4 1949 GT/HA Ronald Huntzberry, Hagerstown MD, ’06 Cob 9.619 10.50 -0.881
5 1324 SS/KA Bob Cupp, Alexandria VA, ’65 Chevelle 10.396 11.25 -0.854
6 1200 GT/BA Eddie Miranian, Owings MD, ’68 Corvette 8.947 9.80 -0.853
7 1529 GT/GA Mark Alvey, Chesterfield VA, ’06 Cobalt 9.564 10.40 -0.836
8 148K GT/HA Karl Martel, Dover DE, ’87 Camaro 9.711 10.50 -0.789
9 2910 FGT/J Edward Longhany, Wade NC, ’68 Dart 9.822 10.60 -0.778
10 F142 FSS/B John Simbeck, State College PA, ’19 Camaro 8.440 9.20 -0.760
STOCK (FINAL)
1 2952 B/SA Jeff Longhany, Wade NC, ’00 Corvette 10.175 11.25 -1.075
2 K120 O/SA Lauren Kanuik, Scott Township PA, ’77 Gra 12.178 13.15 -0.972
3 1310 E/SA Sport Simmons, Chesterfield VA, ’04 GTO 10.798 11.70 -0.902
4 148B A/SA Brian Martel, Springfield VA, ’69 Camaro 10.100 11.00 -0.900
5 1656 FS/AA Kenneth Miele, Selma NC, ’08 Mustang 8.501 9.40 -0.899
6 2552 I/SA Orion Riley, Cresant City FL, ’74 Nova 11.425 12.30 -0.875
7 1721 D/SA Joe Lisa, Vernon NJ, ’68 Camaro 10.691 11.55 -0.859
8 206W H/SA Jeff Warren, Clinton NC, ’89 Camaro 11.292 12.15 -0.858
9 1109 AA/SA John Gray, Hudson MA, ’69 Camaro 9.844 10.70 -0.856
10 1150 B/SA Russell Linke, Old Bridge NJ, ’97 Camaro 10.405 11.25 -0.845
TOP DRAGSTER (FINAL)
1 710V Taylor Januik, Las Vegas NV, Race Tech-Chevy 6.118 222.55 222.91
2 2114 Steve Furr, Harrisburg NC, American-Chevy 6.142 224.43 224.43
3 224 Brad Plourd, Holly Pond AL, Racecraft-Chevy 6.330 219.33 219.33
4 1055 Ken Moses, Colonia NJ, Dragster-APDD 6.460 208.33 208.33
5 223T Tisha Wilson, Salisbury NC, Race Tech-WILK 6.679 198.88 199.91
6 101Y Dennis James, Pasadena MD, Dragster-Chevy 6.881 194.24 194.24
7 6469 Sadie Glenn, Mooresville NC, American-Chevy 6.935 193.29 193.29
8 101 Doug Doll, Douglas MA, Dragster-Chevy 6.977 189.60 189.60
9 135M Tommy Muller, Pennington NJ, American-Chevy 6.993 190.59 190.73
10 135E Dave Muller, Pennington NJ, Mullis-Chevy 7.123 186.64 186.64
SUPER GAS (E-1 WINNERS)
1 14 S/G Charles Kenopic, Renfrew ON, ’63 Corvette 9.900 9.90 0.000
2 2114 S/G Steve Furr, Harrisburg NC, ’68 Camaro 9.906 9.90 0.006
3 243X S/G Chris Lewis, Rincon GA, ’68 Camaro 9.908 9.90 0.008
4 2708 S/G Lauren Freer, Mooresville NC, ’23 Camaro 9.909 9.90 0.009
5 128V S/G Vince Fourcade, Mt. Airy MD, ’68 Camaro 9.910 9.90 0.010
6 2329 S/G Ricky Hall, Yorktown VA, ’68 Camaro 9.915 9.90 0.015
7 2681 S/G JJ Brock, Pickens SC, ’68 Camaro 9.919 9.90 0.019
8 1032 S/G Hank Smith, Leesport PA, ’15 Camaro 9.921 9.90 0.021
9 2111 S/G Jonathon McCandless, Burlington NC, ’38 I 9.923 9.90 0.023
1
0 1990 S/G Iggie Boicesco, Warminister PA, ’63 Corve 9.927 9.90 0.027
