Photos by Alex Owens, Ron Lewis, Mike & Jeff Burghardt, NHRA
MONDAY FINAL – LANGDON, BECKMAN, GLENN AND SMITH CASH IN ON INDY’S BIGGEST STAGE
The U.S. Nationals has never cared much about what a driver has done lately. Indianapolis demands something more, and Monday, Shawn Langdon, Jack Beckman, Dallas Glenn and Matt Smith had enough when the sport’s biggest race came looking for winners.
Langdon won Top Fuel, Beckman completed a remarkable Funny Car double, Glenn finally crossed Indy off his list in Pro Stock, and Smith turned a husband-wife final into his fourth Pro Stock Motorcycle victory at the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals.
Langdon put the finishing touch on a weekend that began with the No. 1 qualifying position, running 3.804 seconds at 333.99 mph to defeat Tony Stewart’s 3.904 at 315.27. The victory was Langdon’s fifth of the season, 27th of his career and third at Indianapolis.
The Kalitta Motorsports driver beat Clay Millican, Justin Ashley, and Leah Pruett before meeting Stewart, who was making his second consecutive U.S. Nationals final-round appearance. Langdon left first with a .048-second reaction time and never surrendered the lead.
“It’s Indy, so it’s exciting for sure,” Langdon said. “For Brian [crew chief Husen] to win his first U.S. Nationals and to step out from working with Alan Johnson the last couple of years and really make his mark makes me happy to be his driver, and that I get the opportunity to be a small piece of his success.
“Also, on top of that, a few of the crew guys, it was their first Indy win, so it was special for a lot of people for a lot of reasons. These are hard to come by and the competition is so good. It’s nice to get back in the winner’s circle, and it’s always great to win Indy.”
Stewart reached the final by beating T.J. Zizzo, Antron Brown, and Langdon’s teammate, Doug Kalitta. Kalitta still left Indianapolis with a sizable consolation prize, securing the regular-season championship, the $150,000 bonus and the No. 1 position entering the Countdown to the Championship.
Langdon owned Monday in Top Fuel, but Beckman owned the weekend in Funny Car.
One day after winning the PlayNHRA Funny Car All-Star Callout, Beckman returned and ran the table in eliminations. He defeated Jeff Arend, John Force Racing teammate Alexis DeJoria, and two-time defending Indy winner Austin Prock before stopping Matt Hagan in the final.
Beckman ran 3.965 at 327.35 mph in the PEAK Chevrolet SS to beat Hagan, and there wasn’t much mystery about how he got there. Beckman produced the quickest run of every round Monday, including a 3.962 at 327.35 against Prock in the semis.
The weekend also came with a considerable dose of John Force history. Beckman drove a throwback scheme honoring Force’s 1996 championship season.
It was Beckman’s second victory of 2026, 39th of his career and third at the U.S. Nationals. He also climbed to third in the standings heading into the playoffs.
“I could truthfully tell you this is the greatest weekend I’ve ever had holding the steering wheel,” Beckman said. “This was just a phenomenal weekend. This one might be more significant because we did it in John Force’s tribute car. The car ran once and won once, and then yesterday we did the All-Star Callout, and it ran twice and won twice, and then today we start clicking off the round wins.
“We didn’t really benefit from any luck today. We went out there and we dominated every session. In the final round, it was 127 degrees. I rolled in shallow, so the car would have run a 3.96. That’s an exclamation point. Nobody gave us anything this weekend. We went out, and we earned every single win, and it’s the same trophy, but we know how much we kicked butt today.”
Hagan’s trip to the final wasn’t wasted. His semifinal victory over Ron Capps clinched the Funny Car regular-season championship, its $150,000 bonus and the points lead when the Countdown begins in two weeks.
Dallas Glenn arrived at Indianapolis trying to win the U.S. Nationals. By the time he left, he had won considerably more.
Glenn defeated Jeg Coughlin Jr. in the Pro Stock final with a 6.599 at 207.56 mph, earning his first U.S. Nationals victory and, almost as a package deal, his second consecutive regular-season championship.
The scenario changed dramatically when Coughlin eliminated Greg Anderson in the second round. Glenn suddenly controlled his own fate, provided he could finish the job.
He did.
Glenn eliminated defending U.S. Nationals winner Erica Enders to reach the final, then chased down Coughlin for his fourth victory of the season and 25th of his career. The win also delivered the $55,000 regular-season championship bonus and erased one of the more stubborn omissions from Glenn’s résumé.
“It’s been a roller coaster because we’ve been fighting the car a little bit and picking away at it. I was just trying to make sure everything was good going into Indy, and I was just coming in here just trying to win the race,” he said. “I wasn’t thinking about points until Jeg eliminated Greg there in the second round, and I was like, ‘OK, well now the pressure’s on to win the regular season championship,’” Glenn said.
“To go into the final round and make another good run to make up for when I went red against Greg Anderson a few years before that, it definitely took a huge weight off my shoulders to be able to check Indy off the list.”
Coughlin reached his first final of the season by defeating Chris Vang, Anderson, and No. 1 qualifier Matt Hartford.
Matt Smith Racing didn’t have to wonder where the Pro Stock Motorcycle trophy was going. By the time Matt and Angie Smith rolled toward the starting line for the final, it was already headed home with the couple.
Matt Smith decided which side of the trailer would claim it.
Smith ran 6.791 at 198.58 mph aboard his Denso Auto Parts Buell to defeat Angie’s 6.834, 194.80. It gave the six-time champion his fourth U.S. Nationals victory, third win of the season and 45th of his career.
Smith qualified No. 1 and eliminated Chris Bostick, Clayton Howey, and reigning NHRA champion Richard Gadson. Angie Smith reached her third final of the season after defeating Kelly Clontz, Geno Scali, and two-time defending Indy winner Gaige Herrera.
The husband-and-wife final was the capper to a weekend in which Matt Smith Racing showed it had found something at precisely the right point of the season.
“We wanted to come up here and win. We wanted to show how good we were, and that we’re ready for this Countdown, and I think we put a point on that,” Matt Smith said. “It’s awesome, man. You know, we worked really hard to get back here.
“We did a lot of testing since Norwalk. We did a lot of tests in Rockingham in these hot, humid conditions. We spent two days down there, just nonstop in 100-degree temperatures, and we learned a lot. We learned stuff with the clutches, and it made us better for here because I was consistent.”
Gadson didn’t get the U.S. Nationals trophy, but his semifinal finish secured the Pro Stock Motorcycle regular-season championship and a $15,000 bonus. The defending points champion will start the Countdown atop the standings as he begins his bid for consecutive titles.
The six-race NHRA Countdown to the Championship begins Sept. 18-20 with the inaugural Dodge NHRA Great Lakes Nationals presented by MOPAR at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, Mich.
SUNDAY QUALIFYING – CAPPS GRABS FUNNY CAR POINTS LEAD AS LANGDON, HARTFORD AND SMITH JOIN HIM ATOP INDY FIELDS
Shawn Langdon did his work Friday night. Ron Capps waited until Saturday to make his move, and by the time qualifying ended Sunday at Indianapolis, Capps had more than a No. 1 qualifier to show for it.
Capps moved into the Funny Car points lead while Langdon (Top Fuel), Matt Hartford (Pro Stock) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) joined him as No. 1 qualifiers for Monday’s Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals eliminations at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.
Langdon’s 3.727-second run at 334.98 mph from Friday night survived all five qualifying sessions, giving the former champion his sixth No. 1 qualifier of the season in the Kalitta Motorsports SealMaster dragster.
Nobody found a way around him, although Tony Stewart came closest with a 3.744 at 328.22. Points leader Doug Kalitta qualified third at 3.746 and 335.82.
Langdon enters Monday 68 points behind Kalitta in the battle for the regular-season championship and its $150,000 payout. He needs to make up three rounds and will open eliminations against Clay Millican while chasing his third U.S. Nationals victory.
“Yes and no that I thought the No. 1 would hold,” Langdon said. “I thought there could be an opportunity for someone else to take it. It was a good run for Friday night, but we weren’t really satisfied with that.
“We obviously wanted to do a little bit more, but we were just trying to see what we could get away with, and we weren’t able to do that Saturday. So the last run we really had to slow everything down, get everything back in check and get some information for tomorrow. We were able to do that and feel very confident for tomorrow.”
Funny Car qualifying came with a little more meaning than a yellow No. 1 qualifier hat.
Capps’ 3.914 at 332.18 in the Carlyle Tools/NAPA Auto Care Toyota GR Supra held for the top spot and helped push the three-time world champion past Matt Hagan in the standings.
Capps will take a three-point advantage over Hagan into Monday. Jordan Vandergriff is 12 points behind Capps and J.R. Todd sits 30 back, putting four drivers within striking distance of the regular-season championship.
Austin Prock qualified second with a 3.921 at 317.87, while Jack Beckman was third with a 3.937 at 326.79.
“In our book, we felt like we should win the regular season,” Capps said. “Our plan coming into qualifying was absolutely to try to get those little points. But who does it ever? Not very often.
“I promise you that if you walked into anyone’s trailer and they had that written as their goals – every crew chief, driver, team member had that thought. Like, but could you do it? You get the four points here instead of three and yesterday I was like, ‘Wow, we’re already technically at that point where Hagan was. We had passed him just in qualifying,’ and I’m not sure I’d ever done that.”
Capps has another prize in front of him Monday. He will be trying to win the U.S. Nationals for the third time.
Hartford saved his best work for the back half of Pro Stock qualifying.
The veteran made the quickest run of each of the final three sessions and closed with a 6.572 at 208.97 in his Total Seal Chevrolet Camaro. It was Hartford’s first No. 1 qualifier of the season.
Hartford, who already has three victories in 2026, will open eliminations against Kenny Delco as he pursues his second Indianapolis victory. He won the U.S. Nationals in 2023.
“It just feels great that our entire team is making some good decisions in the trailer before we roll up,” Hartford said. “The weather conditions that we started with from Friday to today are completely different, but we knew that when we got here that Sunday Q4 and Q5 were going to be the two best sessions.
“When we went low in Q4, we knew it wasn’t remotely safe, and that E.T. would probably be in the bottom half by the time we got done with Q5. I’m just really, really thankful for my team and how hard they’ve worked to allow this to happen.”
Dallas Glenn qualified second with a 6.574 at 208.01. Rookie Cody Anderson also ran 6.574, but his slower 207.91 speed gave the edge to Glenn.
Smith opened the weekend as the rider to beat in Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying, lost the top spot along the way, then reclaimed it when he had his final chance.
The six-time NHRA champion went 6.757 at 200.98 in Q5 to secure his third No. 1 qualifier of the season. Smith will face Chris Bostick in Monday’s first round while chasing his fourth U.S. Nationals victory.
His Matt Smith Racing operation also has numbers on its side. Three of its motorcycles qualified in the top eight, including Angie Smith in the No. 3 position, and Michael Ray also made the lineup while pinch-hitting for Jianna Evaristo.
“You know, I’ve won this race three times. I’d like to get a fourth one,” Smith said. “If I can’t do it, then I want one of the other three bikes that we have on our camp to do it, and I think we have a really good shot at doing it. I mean, we have three bikes in the top eight.
“We came back in Q5 and put it all together. I made a little axle adjustment, and it went right down the track and took the top spot. I’m totally confident with how we tested at Rockingham coming here with this kind of weather. I felt good. I’ve felt good all weekend. We’ve just got to turn on four win lights tomorrow.”
Gaige Herrera qualified second with a 6.781 at 198.79, while Angie Smith was third with a 6.787 at 198.50.
Five qualifying sessions settled the ladders. Monday settles everything else, including the U.S. Nationals winners and the regular-season titleists, before the Countdown to the Championship begins in two weeks at Martin, Mich.
Eliminations begin at 10 a.m. EDT Monday at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.
Monday’s first-round pairings for eliminations for the 72nd annual Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, the 14th of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Sunday. DNQs
listed below pairings.
Top Fuel — 1. Shawn Langdon, 3.727 seconds, 334.98 mph vs. 16. Clay Millican, 3.844, 327.11; 2. Tony Stewart, 3.744, 328.22 vs. 15. T.J. Zizzo, 3.836, 328.62; 3. Doug Kalitta, 3.746, 335.82 vs. 14. Will Smith, 3.828, 325.45; 4. Billy Torrence, 3.767, 329.34 vs. 13. Maddi Gordon, 3.818, 324.67; 5. Leah Pruett, 3.772, 326.24 vs. 12. Josh Hart, 3.812, 323.50; 6. Jasmine Salinas, 3.776, 329.91 vs. 11. Tripp Tatum, 3.805, 308.43; 7. Ida Zetterstrom, 3.778, 330.88 vs. 10. Antron Brown, 3.797, 330.07; 8. Justin Ashley, 3.781, 331.12 vs. 9. Shawn Reed, 3.784, 331.28.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Jake Sanders, 3.862, 306.26; 18. Dan Mercier, 3.873, 314.75; 19. Tony Schumacher, 3.883, 323.19; 20. Krista Baldwin, 3.887, 321.65; 21. Lex Joon, 4.823, 162.53; 22. Jacob Opatrny, 11.406, 74.57.
Funny Car — 1. Ron Capps, Toyota GR Supra, 3.914, 332.18 vs. 16. John Smith, Dodge Charger, 4.089, 305.36; 2. Austin Prock, Ford Mustang, 3.921, 317.87 vs. 15. Julie Nataas, GR Supra, 4.089, 309.70; 3. Jack Beckman, Chevy Camaro, 3.937, 326.79 vs. 14. Jeff Arend, Charger, 4.076, 303.78; 4. Spencer Hyde, Mustang, 3.944, 319.45 vs. 13. Paul Lee, Charger, 4.037, 324.05; 5. Matt Hagan, Charger, 3.947, 331.77 vs. 12. Hunter Green, Charger, 4.024, 313.95; 6. Alexis DeJoria, Camaro, 3.947, 329.26 vs. 11. Chad Green, Mustang, 4.002, 317.87; 7. Jordan Vandergriff, Camaro, 3.948, 327.59 vs. 10.
J.R. Todd, GR Supra, 3.981, 327.74; 8. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 3.970, 319.98 vs. 9. Daniel Wilkerson, Mustang, 3.974, 321.96.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Bobby Bode, 4.098, 278.58; 18. Chris King, 4.112, 287.96; 19. Blake Alexander, 4.115, 275.39; 20. Dylan Winefsky, 4.119, 308.43; 21. Justin Schriefer, 4.124, 292.46; 22. Dave Richards, 4.130, 312.42; 23. Terry Haddock, 4.922, 162.22.
Pro Stock — 1. Matt Hartford, Chevy Camaro, 6.572, 208.97 vs. 16. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 6.646, 205.98; 2. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.574, 208.01 vs. 15. Mason McGaha, Camaro, 6.625, 208.14; 3. Cody Anderson, Camaro, 6.574, 207.91 vs. 14. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.623, 206.51; 4. Chris Vang, Camaro, 6.583, 206.86 vs. 13. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.618, 207.66; 5. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.585, 206.67 vs. 12. Shane Tucker, Camaro, 6.614, 208.52; 6. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.588, 209.36 vs. 11. Jerry Tucker, Camaro, 6.613, 207.02; 7. Matt Latino, Camaro, 6.590, 207.85 vs. 10. Troy Coughlin
Jr., Camaro, 6.604, 208.39; 8. Eric Latino, Camaro, 6.590, 207.46 vs. 9. Greg Stanfield, Camaro, 6.593, 206.57.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Deric Kramer, 6.661, 206.45; 18. Alan Prusiensky, 6.783, 202.12; 19. David Vaseloff, 6.863, 199.20.
Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Matt Smith, Buell, 6.757, 200.98 vs. 16. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 6.982, 193.24; 2. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.781, 198.79 vs. 15. Hector Arana Jr, EBR, 6.967, 194.04; 3. Angie Smith, Buell, 6.787, 198.50 vs. 14. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 6.933, 195.45; 4. Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.818, 197.86 vs. 13. Marc Ingwersen, EBR, 6.928, 193.54; 5. Ryan Oehler, EBR, 6.825, 197.57 vs. 12. Malcolm Phillips Jr., Suzuki, 6.925, 195.08; 6. John Hall, Beull, 6.830, 198.03 vs. 11. Geno Scali, Suzuki, 6.925, 195.65; 7. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.861, 196.67 vs. 10. Michael Ray, Buell, 6.893, 196.67; 8. Clayton Howey, Suzuki, 6.865, 194.77 vs. 9. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.876, 194.30.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Wesley Wells, 7.085, 187.60; 18. Hector Arana, 7.091, 192.17; 19. Mark Paquette, 7.158, 179.83.
SUNDAY FUNNY CAR CALLOUT – BECKMAN ADDS FIFTH INDY SHOOTOUT CROWN WITH FUNNY CAR CALLOUT VICTORY
Jack Beckman already had more than his share of success in Indianapolis’ Funny Car specialty races. On Sunday, he found room for another trophy.
Beckman won the PlayNHRA Funny Car All-Star Callout at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, defeating Matt Hagan in the final round of the eight-car bonus event during the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals.
The John Force Racing driver covered the track in 3.980 seconds at 323.19 mph in his PEAK Chevrolet SS, pulling away after Hagan encountered trouble near the finish. The victory gave Beckman his fifth win in an Indy Funny Car bonus race.
It also kept alive the possibility of an Indianapolis double. Beckman, a two-time U.S. Nationals winner, will return Monday looking for his third victory in drag racing’s biggest event.
Beckman’s day carried an extra connection to John Force. His Chevrolet is adorned with a tribute scheme patterned after Force’s 1996 championship Funny Car, a season in which Force won 13 of 19 races and claimed his sixth NHRA championship.
Beckman made sure the throwback colors were around for all three rounds Sunday.
He opened the Callout by defeating Chad Green, then advanced past J.R. Todd in the semifinals to earn his shot at Hagan. When Hagan faltered in the final, Beckman finished the job.
“Our first shootout win was special to get one, and then when you get two, you’re like, ‘This is awesome,’ and then when I got four, and then I was done driving [after the 2020 season], I thought, ‘Still pretty good amount of trophies, more than I ever thought or dreamed I was going to get in here,’” Beckman said. “And to come back into a competitive car right away, and then to get to close the deal on a day like today is incredible.
“We just treated it like race day, and it worked out.”
There is still another race day waiting.
Beckman knows Sunday’s trophy guarantees nothing when eliminations begin Monday. At Indianapolis, where five qualifying sessions and a bonus race precede the U.S. Nationals eliminations, managing the long weekend can be every bit as important as surviving one quick run.
“It’s a long race, and if you can’t handle the ups and downs of that, you’re in the wrong sport,” Beckman said. “Our performance is measured in thousandths of a second, so I’m going to try to get a good night’s rest and hopefully come back a little bit closer to normal tomorrow because I know we’ve got a car that can repeat.”
SATURDAY QUALIFYING – CAPPS CHARGES TO FUNNY CAR NO. 1, LANGDON STAYS ON TOP AT NHRA U.S. NATIONALS
Ron Capps came to Indianapolis looking for every point he could get before the NHRA regular season closes this weekend. On Saturday night, he collected a few of them with his quickest run of the weekend.
Capps powered to the provisional No. 1 position in Funny Car, while Shawn Langdon remained No. 1 in Top Fuel and Matt Hartford and Gaige Herrera moved to the top in Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle, respectively. That’s how things stand after two of the three days of qualifying for the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.
With two qualifying sessions remaining Sunday, Capps continued his push toward the regular-season championship. The three-time Funny Car champion delivered a 3.914-second run at 332.18 mph in his Carlyle Tools/NAPA Auto Care Toyota GR Supra after rain and lightning interrupted Saturday’s qualifying.
The delay eventually worked in Capps’ favor as temperatures dropped and NHRA’s Safety Safari worked the racing surface.
Alexis DeJoria’s problems ahead of Capps provided even more time for the track to cool before crew chief Dean “Guido” Antonelli sent him to the starting line.
“Obviously, we didn’t want to see the weather come in and cause that delay for the fans with the rain and lightning, but once we got back on track, it was quick,” Capps said. “You’ve got to hand it to Safety Safari and NHRA, they made both of those lanes here at IRP fantastic; it was the best round of racing we’ve seen all weekend. We saw Alexis have an issue right in front of us, which gave the track time to cool off even more.”
Antonelli took his time making the final adjustments. Capps knew he had something underneath him when the clutch locked up downtrack.
“Guido was in the box quite a few times, and when I got to about half track and the clutch locked up and it threw me in the trunk, I got on the radio and said ‘Mama mia!’” Capps said. “When you have a crew chief named Guido, you have to say ‘Mama mia.’”
In Top Fuel, Friday night’s best remained good enough to keep Langdon on the pole.
Langdon’s 3.727 at 334.98 in the Kalitta Motorsports SealMaster dragster survived Saturday’s qualifying and kept the former champion in the provisional No. 1 position. Tony Stewart remained second after running 3.744, while Leah Pruett’s Friday run of 3.772 has her third.
Langdon entered Indianapolis chasing teammate Doug Kalitta in the standings, giving the Kalitta Motorsports pair plenty to race for before the points reset for the Countdown to the Championship.
Pro Stock changed hands Saturday when Hartford knocked Friday’s leader, Greg Stanfield, from the top spot.
Hartford drove his Total Seal Chevrolet Camaro to a 6.626 at 205.54 to claim the provisional No. 1 position. With cooler conditions expected Sunday, the Pro Stock field will get two more opportunities to take a shot at Hartford’s position before the ladder is set.
Herrera made his move to the top in Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying while winning the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge.
The back-to-back champion ran 6.842 at 196.50 aboard his RevZilla/Vance & Hines Suzuki, replacing Matt Smith as the provisional No. 1 qualifier. The run came during Herrera’s march to the #2Fast2Tasty victory and season championship.
Herrera defeated teammate Richard Gadson in the Challenge final when Gadson left 2/1,000ths of a second early. Herrera’s 6.842 would have given Gadson plenty to deal with regardless, and he ended the day with a trophy and the quickest qualifying run.
Two sessions remain Sunday before the fields are locked for Monday’s U.S. Nationals eliminations.
Qualifying resumes at noon EDT at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, with the opening round of the PlayNHRA Funny Car All-Star Callout scheduled for 12:45 p.m.
SATURDAY #2FAST2TASTY – AUSTIN PROCK, LEAH PRUETT LEAD NHRA #2FAST2TASTY WINNERS AT U.S. NATIONALS
Austin Prock turned a miserable start to the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge season into a championship Saturday at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.
The back-to-back Funny Car champion defeated J.R. Todd in the final round of the specialty race at the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals, securing his third Challenge victory of the season and the overall 2026 title.
Leah Pruett won the Top Fuel Challenge, rookie Cody Anderson scored his first Pro Stock victory of any kind, and Gaige Herrera won in Pro Stock Motorcycle. Herrera also wrapped up the season’s Challenge championship for the bikes.
Prock drove his Ford Racing Mustang to a 3.921-second pass at 317.87 mph to beat Todd’s 4.006, 325.06. The victory also gave Prock 16 bonus points for the Countdown to the Championship.
Those points didn’t look likely earlier in the season. Prock went through the first six Challenge races without winning a round before his team reversed course after Chicago, eventually reaching five finals since May.
“We went the first six races without winning a single round, and then after Chicago, we made it to our first semifinal round, and I think we’ve been almost we’ve been in every Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge except one,” Prock said. “It just shows how far this team’s come. Those are the kind of stats that’ll win you a third championship in a row.”
There was another encouraging piece for Prock. His Mustang wasn’t running on all eight cylinders during Saturday’s two Challenge runs and was still among the quickest Funny Cars on the property.
“Both runs that we’ve made were full pulls that had a few cylinders out, and the E.T. board still shows we’re second quick, we’re third quick,” Prock said. “We’re making impressive runs on six cylinders in this Ford Mustang. There’s a lot of racing to go, and I guarantee you this Ford Mustang will be dialed in on Monday.”
Prock has won the last two U.S. Nationals and can become the first Funny Car driver to win the event three consecutive years.
In Top Fuel, Pruett didn’t like what she saw when she hit the throttle against points leader Doug Kalitta. She liked the win light considerably more.
Pruett defeated Kalitta with a 3.873 at 319.98 in her Dodge dragster to claim her first #2Fast2Tasty victory of the season. Kalitta had dominated the season-long bonus haul with 22 Countdown points, but Pruett took the final Saturday trophy available before the playoffs.
“I barely even hit the light, I was like, ‘That sucked!’ and I am not happy at all,” Pruett said. “I’m just waiting for Doug to just scream on by at 340 miles an hour and he didn’t. That car saved that round. I saved our first round against Maddi, and, yeah, it all comes back to unity and team.”
Pruett has won at Indianapolis before, but not the U.S. Nationals Top Fuel title. Saturday gave her another shot of momentum before Monday’s eliminations and the coming Countdown.
“To get a win like that at Indy with the crowd, with the changing variables, the history, the pageantry, everything about it is fulfilling,” Pruett said. “I’m embracing it because all this is emotional warfare in preparation for the biggest, baddest ‘Big Go’ that there could ever be. That’s where I’m at.”
Cody Anderson didn’t need to wait until Monday for his first taste of winning in Pro Stock.
The rookie cut a .020-second reaction time and ran 6.642 at 204.91 in his Troy Humphrey Motorsports/Daiken/HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro to defeat veteran Greg Stanfield in the final. Two win lights gave Anderson his first victory in Pro Stock competition.
“It’s super special, and any win feels good,” Anderson said. “This place is extra special and iconic since it’s Indy. This win gives me a lot of confidence. It’s hard to win one round, especially on race day, and just to get two win lights is a huge confidence boost – and to be able to leave on Greg Stanfield is a big deal. Hopefully I can keep the momentum going for race day.”
There was a family twist to the outcome. Cody’s father, six-time champion Greg Anderson, had already clinched the season #2Fast2Tasty championship, but lost in Saturday’s opening round.
“It’s pretty damn cool,” Greg Anderson said. “I felt so bad when I crossed the finish line in the first round of the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty round and got my butt whipped. Cody held up his end of the bargain. I’m so very, very proud of the boy. It’s pretty cool to see, and for it to happen at Indy means more since I’ve said all my career [that] I love this place more than anywhere else.”
Herrera and Richard Gadson finished Saturday with the kind of starting-line duel that has become familiar between the Vance & Hines teammates.
Gadson left 2/1,000ths of a second too soon, handing Herrera the Pro Stock Motorcycle victory on a red-light. Herrera wasn’t waiting around for help, however, as his 6.842 at 196.50 aboard the RevZilla/Vance & Hines Suzuki also moved him into the No. 1 qualifying position.
The victory clinched the overall #2Fast2Tasty championship for Herrera and kept him pointed toward an even bigger piece of Indianapolis history. Herrera is chasing his third consecutive U.S. Nationals victory, something only Dave Schultz has accomplished in Pro Stock Motorcycle.
“This was kind of how I saw it playing out that one of us was going to possibly go red,” Herrera said. “I mean, that’s how it’s been with us. I feel like we’re both going to lay it all out there. I won’t lie. I went up there and squeezed my [clutch] lever a little extra tighter than normal to make sure I wasn’t the one to go red. We go out there to cut each other’s head off, and it’s live or die by the sword.”
Herrera walked away with the Saturday trophy, the season championship, and another reason to like the #2Fast2Tasty format.
“I’m also very happy to get this Mission #2Fast2Tasty overall win,” Herrera said. “This is a great deal and it makes it a lot more fun to race on Saturdays.”
TOP FUEL (Q3)
1 2 Shawn Langdon, Danville IN, PBRC-AJPE 3.727 334.98 334.98
2 14 Tony Stewart, Columbus IN, PBRC-AJPE 3.744 328.22 328.22
3 777 Leah Pruett, Lake Havasu City AZ, PBRC-DSM 3.772 326.24 326.24
4 616 Jasmine Salinas, Brownsburg IN, MLR-AJPE 3.776 329.91 329.91
5 3 Justin Ashley, Farmingdale NY, PBRC-DSM 3.781 331.12 331.12
6 123 Antron Brown, Brownsburg IN, PBRC-DSM 3.797 330.07 330.07
7 144 Tripp Tatum, Avon IN, MLR-AJPE 3.805 308.43 308.43
8 13 Ida Zetterstrom, Avon IN, RPM-DSM 3.809 328.46 328.46
9 77 Josh Hart, Ocala FL, JFR-JFR 3.812 323.50 323.50
10 100 Maddi Gordon, Paso Robles CA, JFR-DSM 3.818 324.67 324.67
FUNNY CAR (Q3)
1 28 Ron Capps, Carlsbad CA, ’23 GR Supra 3.914 332.18 332.18
2 1 Austin Prock, Pittsboro IN, ’26 Mustang 3.921 317.87 317.87
3 3 Jack Beckman, Corona CA, ’23 Camaro 3.937 326.79 326.79
4 9 Spencer Hyde, Stratford ON, ’20 Mustang 3.944 319.45 319.45
5 771 Alexis DeJoria, Austin TX, ’25 Camaro 3.947 329.26 329.26
6 71 Cruz Pedregon, Brownsburg IN, ’25 Charger 3.970 319.98 319.98
7 5 Daniel Wilkerson, Springfield IL, ’24 Mustang 3.974 321.96 321.96
8 14 Matt Hagan, Christiansburg VA, ’25 Charger 3.979 327.59 327.59
9 373 J.R. Todd, Jupiter FL, ’23 GR Supra 3.998 323.89 325.06
10 24 Jordan Vandergriff, Brea CA, ’25 Camaro 4.002 315.49 315.49
PRO STOCK (Q3)
1 3 Matt Hartford, Phoenix AZ, ’24 Camaro 6.626 205.54 205.94
2 2 Greg Anderson, Mooresville NC, ’22 Camaro 6.637 204.29 205.60
3 17 Cody Anderson, Mooresville NC, ’19 Camaro 6.642 204.91 205.63
4 6 Erica Enders, Montgomery TX, ’22 Camaro 6.645 205.47 207.02
5 445 Greg Stanfield, Bossier City LA, ’24 Camaro 6.645 203.58 206.01
6 1 Dallas Glenn, Mooresville NC, ’23 Camaro 6.652 204.79 205.72
7 16 Matt Latino, Denver NC, ’23 Camaro 6.654 205.72 205.94
8 4 Aaron Stanfield, Bossier City LA, ’22 Camaro 6.656 203.40 206.01
9 5707 Chris Vang, Andover KS, ’24 Camaro 6.660 203.40 204.48
10 494 Jerry Tucker, Lindsay OK, ’22 Camaro 6.661 205.04 206.07
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE (Q3)
1 79 Gaige Herrera, DeMotte IN, Suzuki Hayabusa 6.842 196.50 196.99
2 3 Matt Smith, King NC, Buell 1190RX 6.858 199.26 199.26
3 1 Richard Gadson, Avon IN, Suzuki Hayabusa 6.875 195.99 195.99
4 7002 Clayton Howey, Hanford CA, Suzuki Hayabusa 6.886 194.35 195.08
5 4 Angie Smith, King NC, Buell 1190RX 6.905 196.64 196.64
6 6 John Hall, Hamden CT, Beull 1190RX 6.910 195.65 195.65
7 3284 Ryan Oehler, Bloomington IL, EBR 6.927 193.18 194.38
8 1981 Kelly Clontz, Hughesville MD, Suzuki TL 6.947 193.38 194.38
9 8 Chase Van Sant, Monroe IA, Suzuki TL 1000 6.954 195.82 195.82
10 300 Hector Arana Jr, East Northport NY, EBR 6.967 194.04 194.04
PRO MODIFIED (Q3)
1 6280 Justin Bond, Misson BC, ’68 Camaro 5.747 252.95 252.95
2 43 Rickie Smith, King NC, ’22 Mustang 5.762 250.78 250.78
3 1 JR Gray, Holly Hill SC, ’20 Camaro 5.787 248.66 248.66
4 6911 Mike Thielen, Olympia WA, ’67 Mustang 5.799 243.28 243.28
5 288 Sidnei Frigo, Sao Paulo BZ, ’26 Corvette 5.809 250.37 250.37
6 40 Alex Laughlin, Morgan Mill TX, ’68 Camaro 5.811 245.40 245.40
7 729 Nick Januik, Las Vegas NV, ’24 Camaro 5.813 248.52 248.52
8 225 Kevin Rivenbark, Wallace NC, ’71 Mustang 5.815 248.84 248.84
9 9 Chip King, Roxboro NC, ’70 Cha421774&Filter=30#indextoprger 5.815 248.80 248.80
10 44 Mike Castellana, Muttontown NY, ’24 Camaro 5.829 248.71 248.71
FRIDAY QUALIFYING – LANGDON, BECKMAN, STANFIELD AND SMITH LEAD U.S. NATIONALS OPENING QUALIFYING
Shawn Langdon went to the top on Friday’s final run at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, taking the provisional No. 1 spot to open professional qualifying at the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals.
In the other pro categories, Jack Beckman topped Funny Car, Greg Stanfield set the pace in Pro Stock, and Matt Smith was tops in Pro Stock Motorcycle. The race is the 14th of 20 races in the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season, and the finale of the regular season.
Langdon saved his best for last, driving the Kalitta Motorsports SealMaster dragster to a 3.727-second run at 334.98 mph. The former champion is seeking his sixth No. 1 qualifier of the season and 28th of his career.
The run came at a good time for Langdon, who slipped to second in the standings behind teammate Doug Kalitta at Brainerd two weeks ago. He entered Indy 67 points behind the reigning NHRA champion with the regular-season championship still in play.
“It was definitely a big confidence boost for the team and it takes some of the pressure off for the rest of the weekend,” Langdon said. “The last couple of races, things just didn’t really seem to go our way. We still have a good car, though, and we still know what our group is capable of, so this is definitely a good start to the weekend. With the amount of cars that we have [22 in Top Fuel], we know we’re in, so not qualifying goes out of your head.”
Langdon is chasing his third U.S. Nationals victory. Tony Stewart opened qualifying second at 3.744 and 328.22, with wife Leah Pruett third at 3.772, 326.24.
Beckman put John Force Racing on top of a 23-car Funny Car field with a 3.937 at 326.79 in the PEAK Chevrolet SS.
One year after ending Friday night atop the qualifying order at Indy, Beckman did it again while carrying another John Force throwback scheme. This year’s black-and-white design honors Force’s dominant 1996 championship season.
“It’s awesome to be No. 1 qualifier when there are 16 cars, but I don’t want to say it’s essential when there are 23 cars – it just sets you right,” Beckman said. “It’s a unique race because we get five qualifiers. It’s the only event where we’re only scheduled for one run on Friday, and we only get one night session. This might be an interesting weekend. Sunday, it looks like the forecast is a lot more favorable. Maybe there’s a chance to swing harder than that, and I hope there is.
“It’s so rewarding when you step on the throttle on one of these things, and it just keeps motoring down there. I don’t know if ours mixed a cylinder up – it wasn’t a great mile an hour, but it was efficient.”
Beckman is seeking his third No. 1 qualifier this season and 36th of his career. He also enters Sunday’s PlayNHRA All-Star Callout as the No. 1 seed.
Ron Capps was only .001 behind Beckman with a 3.938 and 329.10. Back-to-back event winner Austin Prock sits third at 3.943, 313.37.
Greg Stanfield gave Elite Motorsports the opening-day advantage in Pro Stock, putting his Janac Brothers Racing entry on top with a 6.650, 206.01.
Stanfield entered the weekend third in points and has been Elite’s leading driver in the standings this season. If his time holds through qualifying, it would give the veteran his second No. 1 of the year.
“If you could be number one at the end of the session, it’s a great day for us, so we’re tickled to death with where we finished up,” Stanfield said. “Looking at the weather for Sunday, and as the race goes on, I think the weather’s going to get better, so things will kind of get jockeyed around. But it feels good to start out on top for sure.
“I love this race. It’s our best race. So, hopefully, we can just keep moving forward and we need luck. That’s what we need more than anything.”
Stanfield knows his way to the Indy winner’s circle, having won Pro Stock at the U.S. Nationals in 2010.
Defending event winner Erica Enders is second after a 6.661 at 206.67. Seven-time Indy winner and points leader Greg Anderson also ran 6.661, with his 205.60 mph speed placing him third.
Pro Stock Motorcycle returned from its extended summer break with Matt Smith Racing controlling the top of the qualifying sheet.
Matt Smith led the way with a 6.864, 198.90 aboard his Denso Auto Parts Buell, while wife Angie Smith was second at 6.905, 196.64. John Hall completed the team’s hold on the top three with a 6.910, 195.65.
The full Pro Stock Motorcycle field had not competed since late June, although eight riders returned for the GETTRX All-Star Callout in July. Matt Smith used the downtime to prepare for the hot, humid conditions awaiting the class at Indianapolis.
“I thought it was pretty good. We went to Rockingham [Dragway] and made a bunch of test laps,” Smith said. “We spent two days down there in conditions just like this. It was hot and humid, and we dedicated ourselves to it because we knew it was probably going to be hot here.
“Sunday might be a little different, but right now I think we got a good little start. We had some time off and we worked really hard preparing motors and getting everybody’s stuff fresh for this race and for the Countdown.”
Smith entered Indy fourth in the standings and is seeking his third No. 1 qualifier of the season and 62nd of his career.
Professional qualifying continues Saturday at 12:30 p.m. EDT at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.
THURSDAY SPORTSMAN – COMELLA, HOLT AND ELSASS SECURE TOP SPOTS AT NHRA U.S. NATIONALS
Steve Comella, Stan Holt and Frederick Elsass secured No. 1 starting positions Thursday as Sportsman competition continued at the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.
Comella took the final qualifying lead in the Sox & Martin HEMI Challenge, Holt made a late move to the top of Super Stock, and Elsass completed Stock Eliminator qualifying with the largest under-index performance of the three categories.
Comella saved his best for the final HEMI Challenge qualifying session, driving his 1968 Plymouth Barracuda to an 8.415-second pass at 159.23 mph. The run moved the Webster, New York, driver around Wednesday leader Jason Line and gave the defending event winner the No. 1 position.
Line improved from his opening 8.451 to an 8.445 at 159.53 mph but settled for second. Anthony Rhodes jumped to third with an 8.455, followed by Charlie Westcott at 8.457 and Eric Bell at 8.478.
Only .042 seconds separated Comella from fourth-place Westcott, who recorded the fastest speed of qualifying at 160.10 mph. Jimmy Daniels was the quickest Dodge Dart qualifier with an 8.492, good for sixth.
Holt made his move during final Super Stock qualifying, putting his GT/L 1966 Nova atop the field with a 9.728-second run against a 10.85 index. The Houston driver finished 1.122 seconds under the standard to displace Wednesday leader Mike Johnston.
Johnston’s 9.137 in his FSS/F 2012 Camaro held for second at 1.063 seconds under the index. Chelsea Tindle improved to third at 1.032 under, followed by Tom Ferruggia at 1.028 under and Jeff Dona at 1.025 under.
Elsass remained untouchable in Stock Eliminator after putting his U/SA entry 1.489 seconds under its 14.85 index with a 13.361. The North Canton, Ohio, driver finished nearly three-tenths farther under the index than his closest challenger.
John Korish qualified second with a 9.749, 1.201 seconds under the A/S index, with Caleb McFarland third at 1.196 under. Randy Mans and Ryan Korish completed the top five.
Pat Nahan held the provisional No. 1 position after the second Competition Eliminator qualifying session. Nahan’s E/DA dragster ran 7.375 against a 7.98 index, putting the Sartell, Minnesota, racer .605 under with one qualifying session remaining.
Mason McGaha was second at .585 under in his B/A Camaro, while Todd Datweiler held third at .580 under in AA/AM. Craig Bourgeois and Andrew Holt completed the provisional top five.
Al Peavler paced Top Dragster through two qualifying sessions with a 6.126 at 228.92 mph. Anthony Bertozzi was second at 6.135 and 226.01, followed closely by Ed Dudley’s 6.138 at 228.27 and Daria Vang’s 6.139 at 218.65.
Matt Exner rounded out the Top Dragster top five with a 6.146 at 237.84 mph, the fastest speed among the leading qualifiers. Jim Prevo matched Exner’s 6.146 elapsed time but was sixth based on speed.
Glenn Butcher carried the provisional Top Sportsman lead into the final qualifying session after recording a 6.179 at 228.58 mph in his 1969 Camaro. Defending world champion Darian Boesch was second with a 6.276 at 226.35.
Jim Thorp held third at 6.339, Jimmy Lewis was fourth with a 6.341, and Bob Gulitti occupied fifth with a 6.353.
Eliminations were already underway in the Super categories, where perfection wasn’t limited to one lane.
Landon Exner and Jason McCandless each won their opening Super Comp rounds with dead-on 8.900-second runs against the 8.90 index. Kevin Wright, Doug Doll, Megan Strassweg, Joey Cambria and Luke Dixon were each only .001 off the index with winning 8.901 passes.
Super Gas produced another pair of dead-on performances. Ronnie Blanks and Larry Bernshausen each advanced with 9.900-second runs against the 9.90 index, while Scott Tuttle followed with a 9.901.
Competition resumes on Friday morning, September 4, 2026, at 8 AM.
SOX & MARTIN HEMI CHALLENGE (FINAL)
1 1968 Steve Comella, Webster NY, ’68 Barracuda 8.415 159.23 159.23
2 2455 Jason Line, Troutman NC, ’68 Barracuda 8.445 159.53 159.99
3 2113 Anthony Rhodes, Charleston SC, ’68 Barracuda 8.455 158.02 159.19
4 3651 Charlie Westcott, Albion MI, ’68 Barracuda 8.457 158.95 160.10
5 7406 Eric Bell, Chandler AZ, ’68 Barracuda 8.478 158.58 158.58
6 1058 Jimmy Daniels, Levittown PA, ’68 Dart 8.492 158.09 158.11
7 1979 Eldon Baum Jr., Wellsville PA, ’68 Dart 8.509 156.90 156.92
8 196 Stephen Smyth, Uxbridge MA, ’68 Barracuda 8.527 158.99 158.99
9 350 Jim Pancake, Cardington OH, ’68 Dart 8.569 156.55 156.55
10 L177 Lenny Lottig, Meyersdale PA, ’68 Barracuda 8.572 157.39 157.39
COMP (Q2)
1 55 E/DA Pat Nahan, Sartell MN, Parks 7.375 7.98 -0.605
2 414 B/A Mason McGaha, Odessa TX, ’25 Camaro 7.055 7.64 -0.585
3 380 AA/AM Todd Datweiler, Herscher IL, ’23 Ford 6.400 6.98 -0.580
4 4337 A/ND Craig Bourgeois, Metarie LA, Dragster-Che 6.861 7.43 -0.569
5 3038 I/D Andrew Holt, Columbus OH, Holt-Honda 6.606 7.17 -0.564
6 353 CC/AT Bruno Massel, Elmhurst IL, ’10 Cobalt 7.004 7.56 -0.556
7 5212 D/DA Doug Engels, Watertown SD, Plant 7.425 7.97 -0.545
8 45 CC/A John Clegg, Victoria TX, ’88 Firebird 6.927 7.47 -0.543
9 2121 D/DA Chelsea Tindle, Freeport FL, ’15 MR2 7.488 8.01 -0.522
10 46 C/D Donald Thomas, Amarillo TX, Frameworks-Ch 6.920 7.44 -0.520
SUPER STOCK (FINAL)
1 4749 GT/L Stan Holt, Houston TX, ’66 Nova 9.728 10.85 -1.122
2 7277 FSS/F Mike Johnston, Parker AZ, ’12 Camaro 9.137 10.20 -1.063
3 2121 GT/IA Chelsea Tindle, Freeport FL, ’04 Cavalier 9.618 10.65 -1.032
4 7680 FSS/F Tom Ferruggia, Menifee CA, ’13 Camaro 9.172 10.20 -1.028
5 34 SS/HA Jeff Dona, Cape Giradeau MO, ’98 Firebird 9.575 10.60 -1.025
6 318K SS/JA Jim Whalen, Alexander IL, ’98 Firebird 9.978 11.00 -1.022
7 3254 FSS/E Jeff Myers, Decatur IN, ’15 Camaro 9.030 10.05 -1.020
8 3777 FGT/C Brandon Daugherty, Sheperdsville KY, ’07 8.783 9.80 -1.017
9 2166 GT/QA Avery McLawhorn, Snow Hill NC, ’66 Chevy 10.748 11.75 -1.002
10 1299 SS/JA Patrick Glade, Howell NJ, ’98 Firebird 10.002 11.00 -0.998
STOCK (FINAL)
1 3603 U/SA Frederick Elsass, North Canton OH, ’72 Ma 13.361 14.85 -1.489
2 5425 A/S John Korish, Lacrosse WI, ’15 Camaro 9.749 10.95 -1.201
3 353 A/S Caleb McFarland, Flemingsburg KY, ’01 Fir 9.754 10.95 -1.196
4 5500 A/S Randy Mans, Rogers MN, ’00 Firebird 9.779 10.95 -1.171
5 5424 C/S Ryan Korish, Mindoro WI, ’99 Camaro 10.186 11.35 -1.164
6 1499 B/SA Jim Boudreau, Tewksbury MA, ’69 Camaro 10.108 11.25 -1.142
7 F504 D/SA Tracy Fairchild, Aitkin MN, ’70 AMX 10.410 11.55 -1.140
8 3480 FS/D Casey Fauss-Johnson, Johnstown OH, ’15 Ch 9.477 10.60 -1.123
9 1967 J/SA Jim Marshall, Indian Land SC, ’78 Malibu 11.332 12.45 -1.118
10 5320 D/SA Darren Robinson, Berryton KS, ’70 Duster 10.432 11.55 -1.118
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS
SUPER COMP (E1 WINNERS)
1 4099 S/C Landon Exner, Deer Park TX, Herndon-Ford 8.900 8.90 0.000
2 211J S/C Jason McCandless, Graham NC, Race Tech-NS 8.900 8.90 0.000
3 547 S/C Kevin Wright, Longmont CO, TNT-SUNS 8.901 8.90 0.001
4 143Y S/C Doug Doll, Douglas MA, Page-Chevy 8.901 8.90 0.001
5 3244 S/C Megan Strassweg, Newburgh IN, American-Ch 8.901 8.90 0.001
6 143C S/C Joey Cambria, Shillington PA, Dragster-Ch 8.901 8.90 0.001
7 3091 S/C Luke Dixon, Avon IN, Racetech-Chevy 8.901 8.90 0.001
8 6444 S/C James Cowie, Surrey BC, Miller-Chevy 8.902 8.90 0.002
9 303N S/C Nate Kelley, Manteno IL, Bos-Chevy 8.903 8.90 0.003
10 1999 S/C Amanda Boicesco, Hatboro PA, Undercover-C 8.904 8.90 0.004
SUPER GAS (E1 WINNERS)
1 2237 S/G Ronnie Blanks, Stuart FL, ’63 Corvette 9.900 9.90 0.000
2 389A S/G Larry Bernshausen, Manito IL, ’77 Vega Wa 9.900 9.90 0.000
3 3205 S/G Scott Tuttle, Franklin IN, ’33 Ford 9.901 9.90 0.001
4 4 S/G Nathan Prose, Terre Haute IN, ’69 Camaro 9.902 9.90 0.002
5 3817 S/G Thomas Small, Indianapolis IN, ’68 Camaro 9.902 9.90 0.002
6 P394 S/G Alison Prose, Terre Haute IN, ’69 Camaro 9.903 9.90 0.003
7 392K S/G Brian Cassin, Evansville IN, ’67 Camaro 9.904 9.90 0.004
8 4784 S/G Phil Jaramillo, Bosqye Farms NM, ’23 Ford 9.904 9.90 0.004
9 3230 S/G Dustin Richardson, Woodburn IN, ’87 Firen 9.905 9.90 0.005
10 3558 S/G Robert Kropfeld, Hamilton OH, ’67 Camaro 9.905 9.90 0.005
TOP DRAGSTER (Q2)
1 35 Al Peavler, Olney IL, Dragster-Chevy 6.126 228.92 229.86
2 213A Anthony Bertozzi, Ashland VA, Race Tech-Chevy 6.135 226.01 226.01
3 317 Ed Dudley, Plainfield IN, Dragster-Chevy 6.138 228.27 228.27
4 594 Daria Vang, Andover KS, Racetech-Chevy 6.139 218.65 218.65
5 4099 Matt Exner, Pasadena TX, Spitzer-FORD 6.146 237.84 237.84
6 4 Jim Prevo, Mundelein IL, VRN-Rehe 6.146 226.09 226.09
7 377C Chad Axford, Portland TN, Racecraft-Chevy 6.152 228.42 228.42
8 359X Zach Sackman, Channahon IL, Spitzer-Chevy 6.172 224.14 224.14
9 9 Rusty Baxter, Beckville TX, Danny Nelson-Chevy 6.182 221.31 221.31
10 3268 Danny Nelson, Batesville AR, Racecraft-Chevy 6.183 222.95 222.99
TOP SPORTSMAN (Q2)
1 3190 Glenn Butcher, Doylestown OH, ’69 Camaro 6.179 228.58 228.58
2 1 Darian Boesch, Kenner LA, ’18 Camaro 6.276 226.35 226.35
3 4059 Jim Thorp, Mertzon TX, ’25 Camaro 6.339 224.77 224.77
4 4880 Jimmy Lewis, Forney TX, ’10 GXP 6.341 223.17 223.17
5 451 Bob Gulitti, Tomball TX, ’67 Shelby 6.353 222.40 222.40
6 406 Glenn Wright, Odessa TX, ’23 Camaro 6.364 220.73 220.73
7 4695 Allen Firestone, Velma OK, ’16 Camaro 6.380 219.29 219.29
8 2020 Chris Roe, Lecanto FL, ’22 Mustang 6.406 215.37 215.37
9 35 Mark McDonald, Boonville IN, ’67 Mustang 6.525 211.66 211.66
10 3218 Belva Brinegar, Middletown OH, ’03 Mustang 6.576 211.03 211.03
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS
.
WEDNESDAY SPORTSMAN – LINE, JOHNSTON AND ELSASS SET THE PACE AT NHRA U.S. NATIONALS
Jason Line, Mike Johnston and Frederick Elsass emerged as Wednesday’s early leaders as Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Sportsman competition opened at the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.
Line set the early standard in the Sox & Martin HEMI Challenge, while Johnston moved atop Super Stock qualifying and Elsass secured the No. 1 position in Stock Eliminator after final qualifying.
Line, the three-time NHRA Pro Stock world champion from Troutman, North Carolina, drove his 1968 Plymouth Barracuda to an 8.451-second pass at 159.99 mph to lead the first HEMI Challenge qualifying session.
Defending HEMI Challenge winner Steve Comella of Webster, New York, was close behind with an 8.468 at 158.82 mph in his Barracuda. Eric Bell ranked third with an 8.478 at 158.58, followed by Anthony Rhodes at 8.498 and Stephen Smyth at 8.527.
Johnston, from Parker, Arizona, led a tightly packed Super Stock field with a 9.137-second run in his FSS/F 2012 Camaro, running 1.063 seconds under his 10.20-second index.
Stan Holt was second in his GT/L 1966 Nova with a 9.803, 1.047 under the index, while Tom Ferruggia placed third at 1.028 under in his FSS/F 2013 Camaro. Jeff Dona and Jim Whalen completed the top five, separated by only three-thousandths of a second against their respective indexes.
Elsass delivered Wednesday’s biggest qualifying number in Stock Eliminator, putting his U/SA entry atop the final order with a 13.361-second run against a 14.85 index, a whopping 1.489 seconds under the standard.
John Korish secured the No. 2 position with a 9.750, 1.200 under the A/S index, while Ryan Korish qualified third at 1.164 under in his C/S Camaro. Randy Mans and Jim Marshall rounded out the top five.
Sportsman competition continues Thursday at the U.S. Nationals with additional qualifying and class eliminations.
SOX & MARTIN HEMI CHALLENGE (Q-1)
1 2455 Jason Line, Troutman NC, ’68 Barracuda 8.451 159.99 159.99
2 1968 Steve Comella, Webster NY, ’68 Barracuda 8.468 158.82 158.82
3 7406 Eric Bell, Chandler AZ, ’68 Barracuda 8.478 158.58 158.58
4 2113 Anthony Rhodes, Charleston SC, ’68 Barracuda 8.498 158.26 158.26
5 196 Stephen Smyth, Uxbridge MA, ’68 Barracuda 8.527 158.99 158.99
6 1058 Jimmy Daniels, Levittown PA, ’68 Dart 8.552 157.59 157.59
7 1979 Eldon Baum Jr., Wellsville PA, ’68 Dart 8.560 156.92 156.92
8 3651 Charlie Westcott, Albion MI, ’68 Barracuda 8.585 160.10 160.10
9 L177 Lenny Lottig, Meyersdale PA, ’68 Barracuda 8.594 157.15 157.15
10 4300 Lloyd Wofford, Jonesboro AR, ’68 Barracuda 8.709 151.87 151.87
SUPER STOCK (Q-2)
1 7277 FSS/F Mike Johnston, Parker AZ, ’12 Camaro 9.137 10.20 -1.063
2 4749 GT/L Stan Holt, Houston TX, ’66 Nova 9.803 10.85 -1.047
3 7680 FSS/F Tom Ferruggia, Menifee CA, ’13 Camaro 9.172 10.20 -1.028
4 34 SS/HA Jeff Dona, Cape Giradeau MO, ’98 Firebird 9.575 10.60 -1.025
5 318K SS/JA Jim Whalen, Alexander IL, ’98 Firebird 9.978 11.00 -1.022
6 3254 FSS/E Jeff Myers, Decatur IN, ’15 Camaro 9.030 10.05 -1.020
7 2121 GT/IA Chelsea Tindle, Freeport FL, ’04 Cavalier 9.646 10.65 -1.004
8 2166 GT/QA Avery McLawhorn, Snow Hill NC, ’66 Chevy 10.748 11.75 -1.002
9 1299 SS/JA Patrick Glade, Howell NJ, ’98 Firebird 10.002 11.00 -0.998
10 58 SS/JA Rylee Speer, Fort Ripley MN, ’98 Firebird 10.020 11.00 -0.980
STOCK (Q2)
1 3603 U/SA Frederick Elsass, North Canton OH, ’72 Ma 13.361 14.85 -1.489
2 5425 A/S John Korish, Lacrosse WI, ’15 Camaro 9.750 10.95 -1.200
3 5424 C/S Ryan Korish, Mindoro WI, ’99 Camaro 10.186 11.35 -1.164
4 5500 A/S Randy Mans, Rogers MN, ’00 Firebird 9.798 10.95 -1.152
5 1967 J/SA Jim Marshall, Indian Land SC, ’78 Malibu 11.332 12.45 -1.118
6 1499 B/SA Jim Boudreau, Tewksbury MA, ’69 Camaro 10.159 11.25 -1.091
7 1387 B/SA Chris Howes, Quispamsis NB, ’70 Challenger10.163 11.25 -1.087
8 7797 C/S Don Keen, Palmdale CA, ’68 Mustang 10.268 11.35 -1.082
9 4688 F/SA Mike Cotten, Cave Creek AZ, ’73 Duster 10.768 11.85 -1.082
10 329 T/SA Dan Tool, Jacksonville IL, ’79 Mustang 13.321 14.40 -1.079
