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FRIDAY QUALIFYING – GORDON, HYDE, ANDERSON SET EARLY PACE IN QUALIFYING AT NHRA ARIZONA NATIONALS
Rookie Maddi Gordon powered to the provisional No. 1 qualifying position in Top Fuel on Friday at Firebird Motorsports Park, delivering a standout performance in just her second professional start. Spencer Hyde (Funny Car) and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) also secured provisional top spots during the opening day of the 41st annual NHRA Arizona Nationals.
Gordon posted a 3.844-second pass at 329.42 mph in her Carlyle Tools dragster, the only three-second run in Top Fuel during the first qualifying session. The effort placed her in position to earn her first career No. 1 qualifier if the time holds through Saturday.
The strong start continued momentum built from her semifinal appearance in her debut at the season opener in Gainesville. Warm track conditions challenged the field throughout the day, making Gordon’s run a defining performance.
“I was really, really stoked to go down that first pass,” Gordon said. “That was just so exciting after you hear all those cars smoking the tires ahead of us. But you know what? I got so much faith in Rob [Flynn] and Troy [Fasching]. They have done a stellar job of getting down those hot racetracks, and I couldn’t be more proud to drive for them.
“Before Gainesville, a month and a half ago, I had never even warmed up a dragster with a blower on it, so there’s so many firsts in the past month and a half. I learn something new every single pass I get on the racetrack. The more I know, I feel like I can be a better driver because I just have so much to learn.”
Defending event winner Shawn Langdon finished Friday in the second position with a 3.925 at 307.30. Antron Brown followed in third after running 3.985 at 297.09.
Hyde’s 3.979-second run at 317.64 mph in his Head, Inc. Ford Mustang gave him the provisional top spot in Funny Car. The result marked a sharp turnaround from a year ago when he failed to qualify at the same event.
The reigning Rookie of the Year showed improved consistency in challenging track conditions, underscoring the development of both driver and team. His early performance suggested a continued progression following his first full professional campaign.
“We had a tough start last year, and I learned that driving a Funny Car is not easy – it’s the most humbling thing I’ve ever driven,” Hyde said. “These things are hard to drive all the time. You just never know what they’re going to throw at you. Driving them is challenging when it’s hot and greasy. They’re moving around out there and they take a little bit to settle in.
“On our [3.97] it never really settled in, but we slipped it through there and made a good run, good enough to be No. 1. Second run, I was pointing a little bit too far right and made a pretty big correction early, and it actually dropped the [cylinder] and was trying to push me over the lane. But I kept it off the wall, made a good full run, and was second low the session, so we’re pretty happy.”
Jack Beckman secured the second spot with a 3.982 at 323.97. Matt Hagan was next with a 3.998 at 321.04, placing him third after two sessions.
In Pro Stock, six-time world champion Greg Anderson delivered the quickest run in both sessions, including a 6.552, 206.99 in his Chevrolet Camaro. The performance positioned him for the 141st No. 1 qualifying effort of his career.
The result contrasted sharply with his qualifying struggles at the season opener, where he narrowly secured a starting position before advancing to the final round. Friday’s performance reflected a renewed focus on qualifying execution in challenging heat conditions.
“Without a doubt that morning run, because of the track being cooler, is going to be the best qualifying run of the weekend,” Anderson said. “You better get right on that first one, so a lot of pressure. You just can’t go up there, you know, and shoot for the moon, because if you don’t make it down, you may not qualify.
“Just from the first session to the afternoon session, we lost about four or five-hundredths of ET, and that’s going to be probably 30-40 horsepower, just like that. You have to do other things to make the engine think it has power – gear ratio and things like that. You have to get all of the round pegs in the round holes, but it’s hard to do.”
Greg Stanfield moved into the second position with a 6.558 at 209.10. Jeg Coughlin Jr. followed with a 6.562 at 209.10 to hold down third.
Qualifying is scheduled to continue Saturday morning.
Friday’s results after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the 41st annual FMP NHRA Arizona Nationals presented by NGK Spark Plugs at Firebird Motorsports Park, second of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday’s final eliminations.
Top Fuel — 1. Maddi Gordon, 3.844 seconds, 329.42 mph; 2. Shawn Langdon, 3.925, 307.30; 3. Antron Brown, 3.985, 297.09; 4. Leah Pruett, 3.997, 297.22; 5. Josh Hart, 4.053, 296.44; 6. Billy Torrence, 4.104, 277.60; 7. Doug Kalitta, 4.119, 257.78; 8. Tony Stewart, 4.191, 213.23; 9. Jaren Mott, 4.193, 211.03; 10. Will Smith, 4.196, 260.36; 11. Justin Ashley, 4.251, 225.33; 12. Tony Schumacher, 4.282, 209.72; 13. Shawn Reed, 4.523, 182.28; 14. Clay Millican, 4.556, 179.28; 15. Cameron Ferre, 8.305, 71.58.
Funny Car — 1. Spencer Hyde, Ford Mustang, 3.979, 317.64; 2. Jack Beckman, Chevy Camaro, 3.982, 323.97; 3. Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 3.998, 321.04; 4. Jordan Vandergriff, Camaro, 4.011, 288.21; 5. Chad Green, Mustang, 4.017, 313.44; 6. Paul Lee, Charger, 4.021, 311.49; 7. Jason Rupert, Mustang, 4.044, 306.05; 8. Dave Richards, Mustang, 4.049, 324.12; 9. Alexis DeJoria, Camaro, 4.081, 298.47; 10. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 4.088, 278.23; 11. J.R. Todd, Toyota GR Supra, 4.103, 286.80; 12. Dylan Winefsky, Charger, 4.216, 272.89; 13. Todd Lesenko, Charger, 4.255, 256.70; 14. Austin Prock, Mustang, 4.427, 295.46; 15. Blake Alexander, Charger, 4.504, 205.88; 16. Daniel Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.602, 194.72. Not Qualified: 17. Ron Capps, 5.239, 142.67.
Pro Stock — 1. Greg Anderson, Chevy Camaro, 6.552, 208.42; 2. Greg Stanfield, Camaro, 6.558, 209.10; 3. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.562, 209.10; 4. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.568, 208.91; 5. Chris Vang, Camaro, 6.572, 208.26; 6. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.573, 208.46; 7. Cody Coughlin, Camaro, 6.575, 209.23; 8. Eric Latino, Camaro, 6.580, 208.39; 9. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.581, 209.04; 10. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.583, 208.84; 11. Troy Coughlin Jr., Camaro, 6.592, 208.55; 12. Cody Anderson, Camaro, 6.593, 208.59; 13. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.596, 208.55; 14. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.598, 209.62; 15. Matt Latino, Camaro, 6.599, 208.14; 16. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 6.618, 206.48. Not Qualified: 17. Stephen Bell, 6.624, 207.11; 18. Mason McGaha, 6.625, 208.14; 19. Joey Grose, 6.631, 207.62; 20. Shane Tucker, 6.639, 207.05.
