Photos by Alex Owens, Auto Imagery, Mike & Jeff Burghardt
SATURDAY QUALIFYING – BECKMAN LEADS HISTORIC THREE-SECOND FUNNY CAR FIELD AS LANGDON, GLENN, AND HERRERA ALSO TOP NHRA LAS VEGAS QUALIFYING
Jack Beckman didn’t just qualify No. 1 at the MOPAR NHRA Las Vegas Nationals on Saturday. He put himself at the head of a Funny Car field that accomplished something no other 16-car lineup in NHRA history had managed, with every qualifier running in the three-second range.
Beckman’s 3.836-second pass at 335.32 mph from Friday stood through Saturday’s two sessions at The Strip at Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway, giving the PEAK Chevrolet driver his third consecutive No. 1 qualifying position. Shawn Langdon led Top Fuel, Dallas Glenn took Pro Stock honors, and Gaige Herrera topped Pro Stock Motorcycle as the Countdown to the Championship entered its next-to-last race.
The historic bump spot belonged to Jeff Diehl, whose 3.968 at 317.94 mph secured the 16th and final Funny Car starting position. His reward for helping complete the record-setting field is a first-round meeting with Beckman, who earned 19 of a possible 20 qualifying bonus points.
“First all-three-second field, Jack Beckman to Jeff Diehl. It’s neat to be a footnote to history. I geek out on that stuff,” Beckman said. “Running the table and qualifying is 20 points. We got 19, and we missed that extra point by a thousandth of a second on Q1. Our PEAK Chevy’s just been amazing. This is three in a row that we’ve been No. 1. It’s just an absolute pleasure to drive this car, and it almost spoils you.”
Beckman has the quickest Funny Car, but Matt Hagan has the championship advantage. Hagan qualified second at 3.868, 332.51 mph and carries a 99-point lead over third-place qualifier Jordan Vandergriff, who matched Hagan’s elapsed time at 327.74 mph.
Top Fuel’s championship could be decided Sunday, and Langdon has put himself in position to finish the job before the series reaches Pomona. His 3.672 at 332.59 mph earned his ninth No. 1 qualifier of the season, and he could clinch his second crown by advancing three rounds further than teammate Doug Kalitta.
“I just want to keep the same mindset that I’ve had. Boring, but I just want to keep the same mentality, keep the same focus, the same energy that we had in the first four [Countdown] races, and hit the gas,” Langdon said.
Langdon opens against Cam Ferre, while Tony Stewart qualified second with a 3.676 at 339.28 mph and Josh Hart was third at 3.688, 325.61 mph. Langdon could clinch with a final-round appearance if Kalitta loses in the opening round, or with a victory if Kalitta exits in the second.
Glenn wasn’t happy with his driving Friday, particularly his shifting, but he had no such complaints Saturday. He was quickest in both Pro Stock sessions, securing his fourth No. 1 qualifier of the season with a 6.620 at 205.91 mph, just ahead of Greg Anderson’s 6.622 and Matt Latino’s 6.628.
“After my misstep driving ability on Friday — I didn’t do my job as well as I should, and I just didn’t shift very well,” Glenn said. “Today, I really had to make sure I focused. We knew the air was going to be a little bit better today and could go and try to get No. 1 or lay down a good run.”
Glenn, who faces Alan Prusiensky in the opening round, added qualifying points to his championship lead. His pursuit of a second consecutive title comes with little room for driving mistakes, something he acknowledged after Saturday’s turnaround.
Herrera delivered the only Pro Stock Motorcycle run in the 6.70s, recording a 6.799 at 197.91 mph for his fifth No. 1 qualifier of the season. The two-time champion led both Saturday sessions, but points leader and teammate Richard Gadson remained close with a 6.836 at 196.10 mph, followed by Ryan Oehler’s 6.844.
“I wasn’t too sure if it was possible to run in the 6.70s, but last night at dinner, I got a text from Andrew [Hines, crew chief] saying; ‘We’re going .70s tomorrow,’” Herrera said. “He’s definitely got the bike figured out right now. It’s in a window and it’s in a happy window, so I just had to go out there and do my job more than anything.”
Herrera opens eliminations Sunday against Chris Bostick, with racing scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. PST. He may have the quickest motorcycle in Las Vegas, but Gadson still owns the points lead, and Herrera needs round wins to cut into it.
“All the little [qualifying bonus] points are going to matter at the end of the day,” Herrera said. “I feel like me and Richard both are going to be on our game and we’re going to go as many rounds as we can until we meet each other or any other competitors and get put out early.”
Sunday’s first-round pairings for eliminations for the 26th annual MOPAR NHRA Las Vegas Nationals powered by Dodge at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the 19th of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday. DNQs listed below pairings.
Top Fuel — 1. Shawn Langdon, 3.672 seconds, 332.59 mph vs. 16. Cameron Ferre, 4.218, 282.72; 2. Tony Stewart, 3.676, 339.28 vs. 15. Chris Powers, 3.807, 321.19; 3. Josh Hart, 3.688, 325.61 vs. 14. Shawn Reed, 3.777, 328.94; 4. Clay Millican, 3.691, 336.32 vs. 13. Justin Ashley, 3.759, 331.61; 5. Doug Kalitta, 3.695, 335.73 vs. 12. Will Smith, 3.756, 327.11; 6. Leah Pruett, 3.705, 332.84 vs. 11. Tony Schumacher, 3.750, 334.65; 7. Maddi Gordon, 3.716, 335.65 vs. 10. Antron Brown, 3.738, 324.90; 8. Spencer Massey, 3.719, 332.67 vs. 9. Billy Torrence, 3.722, 334.73.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Bernie Plourd, 5.584, 121.34.
Funny Car — 1. Jack Beckman, Chevy Camaro, 3.836, 335.32 vs. 16. Jeff Diehl, Toyota Camry, 3.968, 317.94; 2. Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 3.868, 332.51 vs. 15. Dave Richards, Ford Mustang, 3.962, 330.31; 3. Jordan Vandergriff, Camaro, 3.868, 327.74 vs. 14. Julie Nataas, Toyota GR Supra, 3.938, 322.50; 4. Alexis DeJoria, Camaro, 3.874, 333.33 vs. 13. Hunter Green, Charger, 3.921, 324.75; 5. Austin Prock, Mustang, 3.878, 312.71 vs. 12. Daniel Wilkerson, Mustang, 3.914, 328.14; 6. Spencer Hyde, Mustang, 3.887, 328.62 vs. 11. Paul Lee, Charger, 3.913, 330.23; 7. J.R. Todd, GR Supra, 3.889, 336.82 vs. 10. Chad Green, Mustang, 3.905, 319.52; 8. Ron Capps, GR Supra, 3.897, 333.25 vs. 9. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 3.900, 327.74.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Jason Rupert, 3.998, 320.28; 18. Jeff Arend, 4.070, 308.35; 19. Terry Haddock, 4.109, 303.50; 20. Cory Lee, 6.704, 97.77.
Pro Stock — 1. Dallas Glenn, Chevy Camaro, 6.620, 205.91 vs. 16. Alan Prusiensky, Dodge Dart, 6.927, 197.39; 2. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.622, 205.16 vs. 15. Chris Vang, Camaro, 6.727, 200.89; 3. Matt Latino, Camaro, 6.628, 205.47 vs. 14. Shane Tucker, Camaro, 6.711, 204.48; 4. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.632, 206.57 vs. 13. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 6.704, 203.31; 5. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.633, 206.26 vs. 12. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.661, 205.07; 6. Greg Stanfield, Camaro, 6.636, 205.01 vs. 11. Troy Coughlin Jr., Camaro, 6.661, 205.35; 7. Cody Anderson, Camaro, 6.639, 204.70 vs. 10. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.659, 204.51; 8. Eric Latino, Camaro, 6.646, 205.82 vs. 9. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.651, 205.44.
Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.799, 197.91 vs. 16. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 7.043, 187.86; 2. Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.836, 196.10 vs. 15. John Hall, Buell, 6.973, 190.30; 3. Ryan Oehler, EBR, 6.844, 196.87 vs. 14. GT Tonglet, Suzuki, 6.962, 193.27; 4. Matt Smith, Buell, 6.856, 197.19 vs. 13. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 6.960, 190.46; 5. Joey Gladstone, Buell, 6.856, 195.65 vs. 12. Marc Ingwersen, EBR, 6.957, 192.77; 6. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.857, 195.11 vs. 11. Geno Scali, Suzuki, 6.954, 192.88; 7. Angie Smith, Buell, 6.867, 194.66 vs. 10. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.933, 193.24; 8. Clayton Howey, Buell, 6.921, 193.90 vs. 9. Malcolm Phillips Jr., Suzuki, 6.926, 194.55.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Ronnie Procopio, 7.407, 144.75; 18. Brad Hawkes, 7.414, 184.35.
FRIDAY RESULTS –
TOP FUEL (Q-2)
1 2 Shawn Langdon, Danville IN, PBRC-AJPE 3.672 332.59 335.73
2 14 Tony Stewart, Columbus IN, PBRC-AJPE 3.676 339.28 339.28
3 77 Josh Hart, Ocala FL, JFR-JFR 3.688 325.61 334.40
4 1 Doug Kalitta, Saline MI, PBRC-AJPE 3.695 335.73 335.73
5 421 Spencer Massey, Fort Worth TX, Kalitta-TFX 3.719 332.67 332.67
6 777 Leah Pruett, Lake Havasu City AZ, PBRC-DSM 3.720 321.65 324.51
7 100 Maddi Gordon, Paso Robles CA, JFR-DSM 3.724 340.56 340.56
8 474 Billy Torrence, Kilgore TX, MLR-AJPE 3.728 335.48 335.48
9 51 Clay Millican, Drummonds TN, DSR-DSM 3.728 333.49 334.65
10 123 Antron Brown, Brownsburg IN, PBRC-DSM 3.741 325.77 331.61
FUNNY CAR (Q-2)
1 3 Jack Beckman, Corona CA, ’23 Camaro 3.836 335.32 335.32
2 771 Alexis DeJoria, Austin TX, ’25 Camaro 3.874 333.33 333.33
3 373 J.R. Todd, Jupiter FL, ’23 GR Supra 3.889 336.82 336.82
4 9 Spencer Hyde, Stratford ON, ’20 Mustang 3.901 328.46 328.46
5 24 Jordan Vandergriff, Brea CA, ’25 Camaro 3.909 332.02 332.02
6 5 Daniel Wilkerson, Springfield IL, ’24 Mustang 3.914 328.14 328.14
7 6 Paul Lee, Orange CA, ’24 Charger 3.921 327.74 327.74
8 4494 Hunter Green, Midland TX, ’24 Charger 3.921 324.75 324.75
9 14 Matt Hagan, Christiansburg VA, ’25 Charger 3.945 327.03 327.03
10 7 Chad Green, Midland TX, ’24 Mustang 3.948 319.45 319.45
PRO STOCK (Q-2)
1 3 Matt Hartford, Phoenix AZ, ’24 Camaro 6.632 206.57 206.57
2 16 Matt Latino, Denver NC, ’23 Camaro 6.635 205.79 205.79
3 445 Greg Stanfield, Bossier City LA, ’24 Camaro 6.639 204.63 205.16
4 7 Eric Latino, Cornelius NC, ’22 Camaro 6.646 205.82 205.82
5 6 Erica Enders, Montgomery TX, ’22 Camaro 6.651 205.44 205.60
6 2 Greg Anderson, Mooresville NC, ’22 Camaro 6.655 204.76 204.76
7 52 Deric Kramer, Parker CO, ’20 Camaro 6.657 206.92 206.92
8 10 Troy Coughlin Jr., Delaware OH, ’22 Camaro 6.661 205.35 205.35
9 4 Aaron Stanfield, Bossier City LA, ’22 Camaro 6.669 205.32 205.32
10 1 Dallas Glenn, Mooresville NC, ’23 Camaro 6.673 205.01 205.01
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE (Q-2)
1 79 Gaige Herrera, DeMotte IN, Suzuki Hayabusa 6.835 195.42 195.42
2 1 Richard Gadson, Avon IN, Suzuki Hayabusa 6.841 194.41 194.74
3 1550 Joey Gladstone, Mooresville NC, Buell 1190RX 6.856 195.65 195.65
4 9 Steve Johnson, Birmingham AL, Suzuki Hayabusa 6.857 195.11 195.11
5 3284 Ryan Oehler, Bloomington IL, EBR 6.882 194.86 194.86
6 3 Matt Smith, King NC, Buell 1190RX 6.896 196.39 196.39
7 4 Angie Smith, King NC, Buell 1190RX 6.927 194.27 194.27
8 8 Chase Van Sant, Monroe IA, Suzuki TL 1000 6.933 193.24 194.27
9 7002 Clayton Howey, Hanford CA, Buell 6.945 191.73 191.73
10 351 Geno Scali, Lake in the Hills IL, Suzuki TL1000 6.954 192.88 192.88
SPORTSMAN QUALIFYING – LIBERSHER, GROSSI, WILLIAMS AND LANZ LEAD NHRA LAS VEGAS SPORTSMAN QUALIFYING
Scott Libersher, Jim Grossi Jr., Daniel Williams, Kirk Lanz and Aaron Steinkey led their respective Sportsman categories as qualifying and early eliminations continued Thursday at the 26th annual NHRA Las Vegas Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors delivered several performances well under their class indexes, while a $20,000 Competition Eliminator showdown narrowed to two finalists.
Libersher, of Wilmington, Illinois, grabbed the provisional No. 1 qualifying position in Competition Eliminator with a 7.793-second run in his FS/SM 2023 Chevrolet, running .697 under his 8.49 index. Steve Graham of South San Francisco, California, followed with a 7.038 in his B/A 2015 Camaro, .642 under his index.
Phoenix racer Kayla Mozeris and Chino, California’s Ryan Priddy were tied for third at .624 under their respective indexes, with Mozeris running 8.456 in her 2005 Cavalier and Priddy posting a 6.526 in his 2020 Camaro. Jeff Taylor, the defending national champion from Sellersburg, Indiana, completed the top five with a 6.660, .610 under the A/ED index.
David Barton, who has made his reputation in Factory Stock competition, placed sixth with a 7.793 in his FS/SM Camaro, .597 under his index. Mike Dahl, Ryan Warter, Taylor Chomiski and Travis Gusso completed the top 10 after the opening qualifying session.
Grossi, of Brentwood, California, took command of Super Stock qualifying with an 8.775-second pass in his FGT/C 1969 Corvette, a substantial 1.185 seconds under his 9.96 index. His performance gave him a comfortable advantage over Mike Johnston of Parker, Arizona, who ran 9.264 in his 2012 Camaro, 1.106 under the FSS/F index.
Tim Seymour of San Dimas, California, qualified third with a 9.160, 1.060 under the FSS/E index, while Kevin Motter of Anaheim, California, secured fourth with a 10.399, 1.041 under. Georgia’s Jeff Adkinson rounded out the top five with a 9.337, 1.033 under the FSS/F index.
Jason DeForrest, Don Keen, Casey Youngstrom, Tom Ferruggia and Lenny Lottig filled positions six through 10. All 10 drivers were more than nine-tenths under their respective indexes, showing how little room there was for a marginal performance near the top of the qualifying order.
Williams, who traveled from Northampton, England, made his Las Vegas appearance count by qualifying No. 1 in Stock Eliminator. His B/S 1969 Nova recorded a 10.186-second pass, 1.204 seconds under the 11.39 index, giving him the largest margin under the index among the listed Stock qualifiers.
Keen, pulling double duty in Stock and Super Stock, qualified second with a 10.448 in his C/S 1968 Mustang, 1.092 under the index. Pete Lanciers of Spring Valley, California, was third with an 11.011 in his 1973 Duster, followed by C.W. Hoefer and Tyler Cassil.
Sante Grossi, Mike Cotten, Scott Burton, Thomas Baker and Chris Knudsen completed the top 10. Williams was the only driver among the listed Stock qualifiers to run more than 1.20 seconds under his class index.
Canadian racers occupied the first three positions in Top Sportsman, led by Lanz of Mission, British Columbia, who powered his 1969 Camaro to a 6.163-second pass at 238.05 mph. Steinkey of Dunmore, Alberta, followed with a 6.193 at 230.92 mph in his 1968 Camaro, while Will Yakimetz of Vegreville, Alberta, took third with a 6.376 at 218.87 mph.
Kelly Harper of Peoria, Arizona, qualified fourth at 6.415 and 223.02 mph, followed by Mike Doushgounian of San Martin, California, with a 6.429 at 225.15 mph. Don Meziere, Michael Chitty, Chanse Bullock, Caden Menholt and Paul Mitsos rounded out the top 10.
Steinkey wasn’t content with second place in Top Sportsman, taking the No. 1 qualifying position in Top Dragster with a 6.109-second pass at 227.96 mph. Don London of Lake Havasu City, Arizona, was right behind him with a 6.113 at 228.34 mph, leaving just four-thousandths of a second between the top two qualifiers.
Steven Will of Fortuna, California, qualified third with a 6.118 at 234.33 mph, the fastest speed among the listed Top Dragster qualifiers. Alan Kenny and Reed Taylor completed the top five, followed by Thomas Bayer, Brad Plourd, Geneva Nash, Kevin Wright and Dylan Hough.
In first-round Super Comp action, Bailey Naber of Jurupa Valley, California, produced a perfect 9.050-second run against the 9.05 index to lead the listed round winners. Billy Torrence followed with a 9.053, while Gabriel Torres and Val Torres recorded runs of 9.054 and 9.056, respectively.
Super Gas produced two perfect runs against its 10.05 index, with Pete Zak of Torrance, California, and Val Torres of La Puente, California, each recording a 10.050. Greg Hehr and Ray Cordeiro followed at 10.053, with Mike Blodgett Jr. fifth at 10.057.
SUPER COMP RESULTS | SUPER GAS RESULTS
Meanwhile, the Decell Comp Cash Clash, a $20,000 winner-take-all Competition Eliminator event, came down to Taylor and Chomiski following semifinal victories. Taylor defeated Dahl with a 7.011-second run at 152.50 mph after gaining a substantial starting-line advantage, while Chomiski used a .024 reaction time and an 8.600-second pass to eliminate Barton, who ran 7.803.
Taylor and Chomiski will now race for the entire $20,000 purse, with no consolation prize for the runner-up. Their final will settle one of the weekend’s richest Sportsman matchups as the Las Vegas Nationals continue.
