Dallas Glenn could not have asked for a better start to the Countdown to the Championship. After qualifying No. 1 and rolling through eliminations, he capped the NHRA Reading Nationals by defeating rookie Cody Coughlin in the final with a 6.557-second run at 209.23 mph in his RAD Torque Systems Chevrolet Camaro.
“This is the goal every weekend in the Countdown,” Glenn said. “You want to leave with more of a lead than you started with. We were able to do that today, and now everyone is going to be throwing everything at us.”
The victory was Glenn’s fifth of the season, 18th of his career, and his first at Maple Grove Raceway. It also opened up a 62-point advantage over KB Titan Racing teammate Greg Anderson, further cementing Glenn’s position as the championship favorite.
The road to the final, however, was anything but straightforward. Glenn dispatched Shane Tucker and Deric Kramer before facing Anderson in the semifinals. Instead of a marquee showdown, Anderson was disqualified after twice crossing the starting line beams during his burnout attempts, a rare miscue that gave Glenn a free pass.
Glenn admitted the situation was frustrating, saying he wanted fans to see the two former champions square off. But he also knew the responsibility was on him to make a clean run and secure lane choice for the final. “I was really pumped up and ready for that matchup,” he said. “It was a strange deal, but I just had to reset and focus on the job at hand.”
That job ultimately meant handling the surprise run of Coughlin, who reached his first career final thanks to wins against Troy Coughlin Jr., six-time champion Erica Enders, and Eric Latino. Glenn praised the rookie’s quick progression but said he treated the matchup no differently than racing a veteran.
“Cody has a good car and he’s not scared to hit the tree,” Glenn said. “I knew he was going to give me his best shot. I just went up there like I was racing Greg, Erica, or Aaron, and stuck to my routine.”
Glenn’s consistency has been a theme of 2025, especially after last year’s near-miss in the championship chase. That disappointment still lingers, but it has sharpened his resolve not to let opportunities slip away.
Sunday’s performance was a reminder that Glenn and his KB Titan team are determined to control their own destiny. The win also restored confidence after a mistake at the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis left Glenn frustrated.
“I was eager to make up for Indy,” he said. “This car is too good for me to beat myself. If someone outruns me, then they outrun me. But as long as I don’t make mistakes, I know we have the car to beat.”
Momentum now carries Glenn into Charlotte, where the four-wide format will present its own challenges. The unique staging process has tripped up even veteran drivers, but Glenn views it as an opportunity rather than a hurdle. He has traditionally performed well in four-wide competition and believes that confidence can give him an edge.
“The staging is chaotic, and everything happens quicker, but I’ve always enjoyed it,” Glenn said. “You just have to stay calm and be ready for anything.”
For Glenn, the Maple Grove triumph was more than just another win. It was a statement that he intends to be relentless in pursuit of his first world championship. He left Reading with points, momentum, and the kind of composure that separates contenders from champions.
As he celebrated his 18th career win, Glenn emphasized the importance of carrying that mindset into every round for the rest of the season.
“I just need to keep riding the wave and see how far we can go with it,” he said. “The car is fantastic, and right now, I feel like we’re exactly where we need to be.”
