Josh Hart opened the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season with a record-setting run Friday night, powering to the Top Fuel provisional No. 1 position at the NHRA Gatornationals. Hart’s 3.658-second pass at 340.30 mph marked the fastest run in Gainesville Raceway history.
Ron Capps (Funny Car), Cody Coughlin (Pro Stock) and Angie Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also claimed provisional No. 1 qualifying positions as NHRA launched its 20-race 75th anniversary season.
Hart’s performance came in his first race with John Force Racing, delivering an immediate statement in the opening sessions. The run in his 12,000-horsepower Burnyzz/Speedmaster dragster closed the first day of qualifying and potentially positioned the Ocala, Fla., native to notch his first No. 1 qualifier in Top Fuel.
The first-day showing also added another chapter to Hart’s solid record at Gainesville Raceway. He won the 2021 Gatornationals in his Top Fuel debut and also captured the Right Trailers Top Fuel All-Star Callout bonus race in 2023.
“I’m really not used to this gig, so you have to bear with me,” Hart said. “I’m super blessed. John Force and the entire team have welcomed me like a member of the family. There is no better way to do this than at your home track with everyone here.
“I can’t really put it into words,” he added. “When I got in this car and we went 340 in testing right off the trailer, all I can say is it was so smooth.”
Hart credited crew chief David Grubnic and the team for delivering a competitive package immediately. The veteran tuner’s experience as a former driver also played a role in Hart’s ease in making the transition from the dual role of owner-driver.
“You know, my guys have it figured out. It’s a well-oiled machine,” Hart said. “David Grubnic is a former driver, so just talking to him is like a sounding board.
He added, “I can ask him questions, and he’ll give me a straight answer, which I love.”
Shawn Langdon claimed the second position with a run of 3.681, 338.09. Leah Pruett, returning to competition for the first time since 2023, qualified third with a 3.690, 329.10.
The Top Fuel field will also compete Saturday in the Right Trailers Top Fuel All-Star Callout bonus race. Reigning Callout winner Doug Kalitta earned the top seed and selected Clay Millican for a first-round rematch from last season. Shawn Langdon chose Shawn Reed, while Antron Brown selected Hart in a showdown between former Callout winners. The final pairing left Tony Stewart matched against Justin Ashley in the eight-car field.
In Funny Car, three-time NHRA champion Ron Capps delivered the quickest run of opening day with a 3.890-second pass at 334.07 mph under the lights. The run in his NAPA Auto Parts Toyota GR Supra was the only pass in the 3.80-second range. If the run holds through Saturday’s final two sessions, Capps would secure his 38th career No. 1 qualifier. The veteran driver is pursuing his fifth victory at Gainesville Raceway.
“It’s been a chaotic week. Well, it’s been a chaotic couple of months,” Capps said. “What we put together, basically from scratch, bringing Maddi [Gordon] on and getting Rob Flynn onboard, then getting her licensed.”
Capps’ team expanded during the offseason with the addition of Gordon as a Top Fuel teammate. The move required significant preparation heading into the season opener.
“I can’t imagine winning this year and getting one of those” 75th anniversary diamond Wally trophies,” Capps said. “It’s going to be cool.” He added, “I can’t imagine Maddi winning and getting one. Someday we’re going to double up. That’s going to be off the hook.”
“It’s a big week. It’s a big, big kickoff to NHRA, and it means a lot,” Capps continued. “My whole adult life has been in this sport, and I’m looking forward to it.”
J.R. Todd is second after posting a 3.912-second pass at 334.15 mph. Paul Lee ended the day third with a 3.920, 331.12.
Cody Coughlin continued his steady progression in Pro Stock by claiming the provisional No. 1 spot in a 21-car field. His 6.523-second pass at 210.01 mph in the Coughlin Construction Chevrolet Camaro led the class through the opening two sessions.
The strong start follows a promising rookie season for the KB Titan Racing driver. Coughlin reached one final round and earned his first career No. 1 qualifier during his debut year in the class.
The early performance could be a hint that the sophomore driver could play a larger role in the championship battle this season. Coughlin credited the strength of his team for delivering a competitive car at the season opener.
“We put a bite in the competition this weekend so far,” Coughlin said. “This car is great. … The KB Titan guys are the best in the business, and [I’m] just proud to drive for them and that we were able to put a deal together to race with each other. It’s just great.”
Matt Hartford qualified second at 6.533 seconds, 210.41 mph. Matt Latino ended the day third with an identical 6.533 at 210.37.
Angie Smith closed out the opening day by moving to the provisional No. 1 position in Pro Stock Motorcycle. She posted a 6.740, 199.58 on the Denso Auto Parts Buell. If the time holds through Saturday, Smith would earn the third No. 1 qualifier of her career. The strong start could signal momentum for a rider who finished fourth in the championship standings last season.
Smith’s showing was particularly notable considering the challenge she faced earlier in the day. Her team suffered a mechanical failure during the first qualifying session.
“This was a great day. Not the beginning of the day, but by the end of the day,” Smith said. … “In Q1, we broke a transmission in half and you never like to do that when you start the season. Usually, parts breakage and things like that happen in the middle of the season.
“But for some reason, it just snapped the shaft in half and I didn’t get a good run.”
Despite the early setback, Smith said the team regrouped and delivered a competitive run in the evening session.
“We just knew that we had to put our best foot forward and we did,” Smith said.
“When that 6.74 came up, I didn’t know if it was going to stick or not. There were some pretty heavy hitters behind me. You know, we worked really, really hard in the off-season, so hopefully our hard work pays off this year.”
Reigning world champion Richard Gadson was second with a 6.746, 200.00 mph. Gaige Herrera was third after running 6.761, 199.91 mph.
Qualifying continues Saturday at 12:15 p.m. EST as teams attempt to improve their positions before the nitro classes kick off Sunday’s 10 a.m. EDT eliminations.
Friday’s results after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the 57th annual AMALIE Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway, first of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday’s final eliminations.
Top Fuel — 1. Josh Hart, 3.658 seconds, 340.30 mph; 2. Shawn Langdon, 3.681, 338.09; 3. Leah Pruett, 3.690, 329.10; 4. Antron Brown, 3.694, 331.85; 5. Tony Stewart, 3.703, 339.96; 6. Doug Kalitta, 3.703, 334.07; 7. Tony Schumacher, 3.710, 338.60; 8. Tripp Tatum, 3.725, 323.81; 9. Billy Torrence, 3.741, 334.90; 10. Shawn Reed, 3.757, 325.61; 11. Justin Ashley, 3.762, 334.73; 12. Clay Millican, 3.773, 321.35; 13. Gary Pritchett, 3.790, 304.67; 14. Jasmine Salinas, 3.791, 329.67; 15. Maddi Gordon, 3.793, 321.35; 16. Dan Mercier, 3.885, 266.32. Not Qualified: 17. Scott Farley, 5.186, 140.36; 18. Will Smith, 9.393, 77.11.
Funny Car — 1. Ron Capps, Toyota GR Supra, 3.890, 334.07; 2. J.R. Todd, GR Supra, 3.912, 334.15; 3. Paul Lee, Dodge Charger, 3.920, 331.12; 4. Chad Green, Ford Mustang, 3.926, 326.08; 5. Matt Hagan, Charger, 3.931, 331.36; 6. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 3.948, 329.91; 7. Daniel Wilkerson, Mustang, 3.961, 323.19; 8. Jordan Vandergriff, Chevy Camaro, 3.990, 318.47; 9. Hunter Green, Charger, 4.048, 318.77; 10. Julie Nataas, GR Supra, 4.082, 261.72; 11. Terry Haddock, Mustang, 4.095, 305.36; 12. Austin Prock, Mustang, 4.836, 217.74; 13. Dave Richards, Mustang, 5.501, 134.48; 14. Jack Beckman, Camaro, 5.644, 130.49; 15. Alexis DeJoria, Camaro, 6.045, 112.65; 16. Spencer Hyde, Mustang, 6.122, 108.77. Not Qualified: 17. Buddy Hull, 6.482, 100.61; 18. Todd Lesenko, 7.139, 92.40; 19. John Smith, 24.017, 59.16.
Pro Stock — 1. Cody Coughlin, Chevy Camaro, 6.523, 210.01; 2. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.533, 210.41; 3. Matt Latino, Camaro, 6.533, 210.37; 4. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.535, 209.82; 5. Greg Stanfield, Camaro, 6.538, 208.49; 6. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.540, 209.79; 7. Troy Coughlin, Camaro, 6.541, 208.62; 8. Eric Latino, Camaro, 6.545, 209.52; 9. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.547, 209.79; 10. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.548, 209.88; 11. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.549, 208.36; 12. Cody Anderson, Camaro, 6.556, 209.88; 13. Stephen Bell, Camaro, 6.566, 207.98; 14. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 6.575, 208.04; 15. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.583, 208.52; 16. Shane Tucker, Camaro, 6.593, 208.23. Not Qualified: 17. Greg Anderson, 6.595, 209.56; 18. Mason McGaha, 6.599, 209.26; 19. Brandon Miller, 6.602, 207.62; 20. Derrick Reese, 6.682, 206.48; 21. Rodger Brogdon, 8.065, 127.98.
Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Angie Smith, Buell, 6.740, 199.58; 2. Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.746, 200.00; 3. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.761, 199.91; 4. Matt Smith, Buell, 6.764, 200.77; 5. Clayton Howey, Suzuki, 6.800, 197.88; 6. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.803, 198.15; 7. John Hall, Beull, 6.804, 199.97; 8. Ryan Oehler, Buell, 6.811, 197.77; 9. Jianna Evaristo, Buell, 6.834, 200.32; 10. Brayden Davis, Buell, 6.838, 196.33; 11. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 6.843, 197.68; 12. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.857, 195.48; 13. Geno Scali, Suzuki, 6.882, 197.94; 14. Marc Ingwersen, Buell, 6.922, 195.73; 15. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 7.087, 166.70.
