2024 NHRA ROUTE 66 NATIONALS - EVENT RESULTS
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SUNDAY FINAL - BROWN WINS N0. 75. HAGAN BECOME FIRST TWO-TIME WINNER IN FUNNY CAR THIS SEASON AT CHICAGO
Antron Brown picked up a milestone of a victory on Sunday at the NHRA Route 66 Nationals when the Matco Tools-sponsored driver scored his 75th career victory.
Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock), and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also scored victories in the sixth of 20 races during the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.
Brown had a tough battle in the final and need a 3.838-second elapsed time at 324.75 mph to beat Shawn Langdon. Along the way, he scored wins against Jasmine Salinas, points leader Justin Ashley and led Langdonn wire-to-wire against Langdon, who went 3.869 at 322.04 in the finals, to claim his sixth overall Chicago victory and fourth in Top Fuel.
“This weekend, this track was medieval,” Brown said. “It was tricky. We didn’t get down in Q1, so we had to be safe in Q2 because that was Friday night where all the good numbers came up. We ran quick enough to get in the show. Now, today was hot, and a lot of cars weren’t making it down. We just had to focus on what we were doing.
“In the final, we had to step it up. We figured we needed to go 3.82-83 because that’s how (Landgon) ran in the semifinals. We got down from start to finish, and that was the key. I just try to stay humble and stay hungry. That’s my game. The race here has a lot of special meaning, and it was a total team effort to get the job done. I always love racing here in Chicago.”
The final round was the third this season for Langdon. He reached victories over Cody Krohn, Shawn Reed, and Dan Mercier.
The NHRA Funny Car division has been a battle of its own, and for the first time this season, one of its drivers picked up a second win.
Hagan became the first two-time winner in the category, taking down John Force. It’s also the second straight victory for Hagan, who won in Charlotte. The Charlotte victory was the 50th in his career, and he added to that on Sunday, getting to the final round with wins against Ron Capps, Paul Lee, and Blake Alexander.
Oddly enough, the pass in the finals was the first 3-second run of the weekend for Hagan, but it came at the perfect time, as the four-time world champion held off Force’s 4.096 at 311.05 to win in Chicago for the fourth time, taking plenty of momentum into the summer.
“This was a tricky track, but I think the thing I’m most proud of is how we got down it every time today,” Hagan said. “We qualified 11th, which meant we got stuck in the left lane. Usually, one lane is just a bit better than the other, and today, it was the right lane, but my guys did a great job. They killed it today. At the end of the day, we had a good car, and I felt like I was seeing the light great today.
“I’m honored to race John Force. He’s the GOAT. He’s the best there’s ever been. We’ve had our moments, but I have nothing but respect for him. Overall, this is the toughest the class has been since I remember.”
John Force made his second final-round appearance of 2024 and the 268th in his legendary career, taking down Buddy Hull, Alexis DeJoria, and Daniel Wilkerson.
Glenn remained perfect in his Pro Stock career at Route 66 Raceway, claiming his second straight victory at the facility with a run of 6.567 at 208.20 to defeat Aaron Stanfield in the championship round. Glenn also moved into the points lead after his impressive day, driving away with his second win this season and the 10th in his Pro Stock career. He made his first Pro Stock appearance in Chicago last year and made substantial improvements on Sunday after qualifying in the seventh spot.
He beat Eric Latino, Troy Coughlin Jr., and KB Titan Racing teammate Greg Anderson to reach the final round, making his quickest run of the weekend against Anderson (6.565) before leading wire-to-wire against Stanfield in the finals.
“I felt good today. I was nice and relaxed, and I hit the tree when I needed to,” Glenn said. “We had a good car and in Q4 when I scored a bonus point that was good for my confidence. Being the No. 7 qualifier was not representative of how good our car was. Racing Greg, you never know what you’re going to get. He might be low for the weekend, and lately, he’s been driving extra well.
“As for the rivalry with Elite (Motorsports), it’s good for Pro Stock, and I love it. I’m not the guy leading the charge. I prefer to let my car do the talking.”
Stanfield advanced to the finals for the second time this season and 17th time overall, taking down Fernando Cuadra Jr., Jeg Coughlin Jr., and Jerry Tucker.
Herrera found another level on Sunday in Chicago, winning his eighth straight Pro Stock Motorcycle race to tie Dave Schultz for the most consecutive wins in class history. In the final round at Route 66 Raceway, Herrera went 6.713 at 200.68, holding off Chase Vant Sant to stay perfect in 2024. It’s his third victory this season and eighth straight dating back to the second race in the Countdown to the Championship a year ago, also giving the defending world champion his 14th career victory in just his 24th career start.
Herrera saw his streak of 11 straight No. 1 qualifiers snapped on Saturday to Matt Smith, but he was dominant on Sunday, going 6.694 at 200.47 in the opening round. He added victories against John Hall and LE Tonglet to reach the championship round, leaving first on Van Sant and cruising to another memorable victory.
“First, congrats to Chase Van Sant. He did a great job today, and he’s on his way,” Herrera said. “As far as tying Dave Schultz, I’m honored. I wish I’d had a chance to meet him, but I’ve heard a lot of great stories, and I know what he did for this Pro Stock Motorcycle class. It’s still hard to believe I’m mentioned in the same sentence as him.
“We qualified No. 2 behind Matt, but today was a different day. The weather was consistent and that let us really work on our tune-up. I honestly thought I would be me and Matt in the final round. I was consistent, and my bike was on rails. We had a very consistent motorcycle this weekend.”
The reigning NHRA Rookie of the Year winner, Van Sant, advanced to his first career final round thanks to victories against Steve Johnson, M. Smith, and Angie Smith.
The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series returns to action May 31-June 2 with the 14th annual NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway in Epping, N.H.
SATURDAY QUALIFYING - ZIZZO FINAL GETS HIS YELLOW HAT AS CHICAGO LEADER
The blue-collar Top Fuel favorite from Chicago finally has his yellow hat.
T.J. Zizzo, who had previously scored a provisional No. 1 on a Saturday, sealed the deal at the Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK Performance.
He is joined atop the leaderboard by Austin Prock (Funny Car), Erica Enders (Pro Stock) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) in the sixth of 20 races during the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.
The moment was an emotional one as Zizzo's Friday pass of 3.735 seconds at 331.77 miles per hour in his Rust-Oleum dragster easily held up through the second day of qualifying. He races motorsports icon Tony Stewart in the first round.
“This is a dream come true,” Zizzo said. “I told our team (last week) we have the equipment and the knowledge, the people and the personnel to be No. 1 qualifier and that’s what we’re going to do. That, to me, is a dream come true. It’s pretty amazing.”
Defending event winner Clay Millican qualified second with a 3.746 at 332.84 while defending world champion Doug Kalitta took third with a 3.750 at 332.84.
Prock just keeps on keeping on in Funny Car. The rookie Funny Car driver score low qualifier No. 4 on the strength of his Friday run of 3.907 at 332.43.
Prock, the current points leader, opens eliminations against Jack Wyatt.
“We got a lot of confidence going into tomorrow after making it down the track (in Q4),” Prock said. “It almost made it on the third run, but it knocked the tires loose. The big thing is that we made it, got down and picked up bonus points. Our car is good in the heat. We won Phoenix on a hot, tricky track and we can do that again here. It’s a tough business being a crew chief but I’ve got faith in mine [father, Jimmy]. Besides, the track will get better tomorrow and I think you’ll see some better runs.”
Bob Tasca III is second with Friday’s run of 3.913 at 329.91 and Paul Lee qualified third after going 3.922 at 323.13.
Anderson might have picked up his first Callout victory, but it is Enders who will roll into Sunday's eliminations as the No. 1 qualifier. Friday’s pass of 6.548 at 209.69 in her Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage/Melling Performance/Scag Power Equipment car handed her the second top qualifier this season and 36th in her career.
“After we ran so well on Friday, that first round of the Callout was not ideal,” Enders said. “T.J. [Coughlin] soldiered on but the rest of us [Team Elite drivers] did not. We didn’t get down the track. Afterward, we had a huge meeting with our crew chiefs and went back the drawing board. I’m really looking forward to tomorrow. As much as I wanted to win today, race day and winning that Wally is what it’s all about.”
Troy Coughlin Jr. qualified second with a 6.554 at 209.75 and Anderson starts raceday in third looking for a double-up win.
Let the record reflect it was Smith who broke Gaige Herrera’s record streak of 11 straight No. 1 qualifiers in Pro Stock Motorcycle. His 6.708 at 201.40 was more than enough on his Denso Auto Parts/Matt Smith Racing Buell was more than enough to stay at the top. Herrera’s No. 1 string had dated back to last July, but Smith's Friday pass led to his 53rd career top spot. He’ll begin eliminations against Lance Bonham.
“I’m really excited. I have a good bike. We’ve been testing a lot and getting better and better,” Smith said. “Honestly, I don’t know if lane choice means anything. Both sides are really good. This place has always been good to me. I normally come up here and run really well. This track will take everything you can throw at it. I think we’re back to where we think we should be. A win would be huge. We had the best bike for three runs this weekend and I think we’ll have the best bike tomorrow.”
Herrera can win his eighth straight race on Sunday and qualified second with a run of 6.745 at 200.17. LE Tonglet took third thanks to a run of 6.772 at 200.44.
Eliminations for the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK Performance begin at 11 a.m. CT on Sunday at Route 66 Raceway.
FRIDAY QUALIFYING - ZIZZO, PROCK, ENDERS AND M. SMITH SET THE PACE FOR DAY ONE CHICAGO QUALIFYING
T.J. Zizzo is doing a terrible job of impersonating a part-time racer.
The Chicago native made the quickest run in each of Friday’s Top Fuel qualifying sessions to set the pace for the 24th annual Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK Performance.
Austin Prock (Funny Car), Erica Enders (Pro Stock) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also set the high-water mark in each one of their prospective Mission Foods Drag Racing Series divisions.
Zizzo secured the provisional pole with a 3.753-second elapsed time at 331.77 miles per hour. He finished the day ahead of defending event champion Clay Millican, who went 3.746 earlier in the session.
Zizzo was a provisional No. 1 qualifier in 2019 in Gainesville, but it didn’t hold. This time, he’ll look to keep the No. 1 spot at his home track.
“Today has been a dream,” Zizzo said. “You have the opportunity to do all kinds of things in this world, but to do this with friends and family is really special. We have worked really hard to get this done, and it means a lot.
“I have to say that Don Schumacher was riding along with me today. He was instrumental in the success of this team. We don’t race as much as I’d like, but I have confidence that when the car runs, every nut and bolt is right. My crew is all volunteer, but they’ve all been with me for a long time and I have complete confidence in them.”
Behind Millican, defending world champion Doug Kalitta sits third after going 3.750 at 332.84.
Just like Zizzo is performing uncharacteristically as a part-timer, Prock is the same way in his freshman season as a Funny Car driver. His 3.907 at 332.43 run was enough to corral the No. 1 spot. Like Zizzo, Prock made the best run in each session, slipping past Bob Tasca to close out the evening in the Funny Car category. If his run holds, it will mark his fourth No. 1 qualifier in six races this season.
“It definitely feels good, especially after Charlotte where we weren’t happy,” Prock said. “We didn’t race smart in Charlotte, and it cost us. Here, we made two great runs. I’m getting more seat time and we changed a few components on the car as far as steering. This is just my sixth race, but I’d say I’m more comfortable in the Funny Car. From day one, I’ve been saying I’m oddly comfortable in there. Don’t get me wrong. This thing is a beast, and anyone who tells you otherwise is crazy, but I feel really good right now.”
Tasca was second with a 3.913 at 329.91, while Paul Lee’s 3.922 at 323.13 has him third.
Enders has plenty she wants to accomplish this weekend. She’s on the cusp of 50 national event wins, and her Friday 6.548 at 209.69 puts her in the driver’s seat for her second No. 1 this season and the 36th in her career. The defending and six-time world champ also made her selection for Saturday’s GETTRX Pro Stock All-Star Callout, selecting longtime rival and No. 2 seed Greg Anderson.
Dallas Glenn called out Troy Coughlin Jr., followed by Aaron Stanfield, selecting Matt Hartford as his first-round opponent. The other matchup features Cristian Cuadra against Deric Kramer, and Enders is excited for Saturday’s bonus race.
“We went to Tulsa to test this week because it’s no secret that we’ve been struggling a bit, and this race is very important to me for a number of reasons,” Enders said. “I have a lot of great memories here. Obviously, it’s where I got my first win and to think I could also get my 50th would be amazing. I know it’s a tall order, but it’s what we’re shooting for.”
“Our team talked strategy (for the Callout). We eventually decided to take Greg, and our thinking was go big or go home. When you think about it, Greg and I have battled for the top spot for the last ten years or more, and I expect we’ll go back and forth until the end of our careers.”
Coughlin is currently second in qualifying with a 6.554 at 209.75, and Anderson is right behind after his run of 6.554 at 208.78.
Smith led both sessions of Pro Stock Motorcycle with a best of 6.708 at 201.40. If his run holds, it could snap Gaige Herrera’s class-record streak of 11 No. 1 qualifiers and would also be his 53rd top qualifier if it holds up.
“I think we’re running well, and we’ve made this bike very competitive,” Smith said. “Our goal is to just keep getting better and hats off to this whole team for the progress we’ve made. We’re learning, and we’ll keep trying to improve.
“We’ve been working hard and testing to get out sixty-foot times better. I had a 1.05 in Charlotte, and the bike wouldn’t shift, and I had a 1.05 here on Q1. We put some power in it, and it stuck. Really, our goal is just to make our program better.”
Herrera, who has won seven consecutive races, is current second with a run of 6.745 at 200.17, and LE Tonglet is third thanks to a run of 6.772 at 200.44.
Qualifying continues at 11:40 a.m. CT on Saturday at the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK Performance at Route 66 Raceway. The first round of the GETTRX Pro Stock All-Star Callout starts at 11:30 a.m. CT on Saturday, with the semifinals to follow at 1:45 p.m. and the finals at 2:55 p.m.
Friday's results after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the 24th annual Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK Performance at Route 66 Raceway, sixth of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.
Top Fuel -- 1. T.J. Zizzo, 3.735 seconds, 331.77 mph; 2. Clay Millican, 3.746, 332.84; 3. Doug Kalitta, 3.750, 332.84; 4. Shawn Langdon, 3.771, 332.10; 5. Shawn Reed, 3.772, 324.51; 6. Antron Brown, 3.775, 331.36; 7. Steve Torrence, 3.776, 336.65; 8. Tony Schumacher, 3.779, 328.22; 9. Dan Mercier, 3.779, 325.14; 10. Billy Torrence, 3.780, 330.63; 11. Jasmine Salinas, 3.798, 320.28; 12. Josh Hart, 3.803, 319.98; 13. Cody Krohn, 3.824, 319.75; 14. Justin Ashley, 3.840, 318.77; 15. Kyle Wurtzel, 3.847, 320.20; 16. Tony Stewart, 3.877, 320.58.
Not Qualified: 17. Doug Foley, 3.889, 275.11; 18. Krista Baldwin, 4.001, 255.00; 19. Luigi Novelli, 4.139, 291.89; 20. Brittany Force, 4.296, 190.19; 21. Travis Shumake, 5.959, 109.54.
Funny Car -- 1. Austin Prock, Chevy Camaro, 3.907, 332.43; 2. Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 3.913, 329.91; 3. Paul Lee, Dodge Charger, 3.922, 323.12; 4. John Force, Camaro, 3.930, 326.95; 5. Alexis DeJoria, Toyota GR Supra, 3.936, 330.55; 6. Ron Capps, GR Supra, 3.939, 327.90; 7. Blake Alexander, Mustang, 3.953, 314.75; 8. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 3.957, 319.90; 9. Daniel Wilkerson, Mustang, 3.962, 321.58; 10. Chad Green, Mustang, 3.963, 312.86; 11. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.012, 322.27; 12. J.R. Todd, GR Supra, 4.062, 314.46; 13. Buddy Hull, Charger, 4.092, 315.49; 14. Bobby Bode, Mustang, 4.095, 311.63; 15. Dave Richards, Toyota Camry, 4.318, 222.91; 16. Jack Wyatt, Charger, 5.866, 123.62.
Not Qualified: 17. Justin Schriefer, 6.588, 102.59.
Pro Stock -- 1. Erica Enders, Chevy Camaro, 6.548, 209.69; 2. Troy Coughlin Jr., Camaro, 6.554, 209.75; 3. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.554, 208.78; 4. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.559, 209.23; 5. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.563, 208.14; 6. Cristian Cuadra, Ford Mustang, 6.572, 208.88; 7. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.583, 208.07; 8. Jerry Tucker, Camaro, 6.584, 208.81; 9. David Cuadra, Mustang, 6.588, 208.97; 10. Eric Latino, Camaro, 6.590, 208.55; 11. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.592, 208.65; 12. Fernando Cuadra Jr., Camaro, 6.595, 208.17; 13. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.596, 209.69; 14. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.605, 208.59; 15. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 6.606, 856.05; 16. Mason McGaha, Camaro, 6.623, 208.39.
Not Qualified: 17. John DeFlorian Jr., 7.019, 206.83; 18. Sienna Wildgust, 10.962, 81.46.
Pro Stock Motorcycle -- 1. Matt Smith, Buell, 6.708, 201.40; 2. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.734, 23.45; 3. LE Tonglet, Suzuki, 6.772, 200.44; 4. Angie Smith, Buell, 6.778, 200.26; 5. Hector Arana Jr, EBR, 6.782, 200.95; 6. John Hall, Beull, 6.823, 199.05; 7. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.827, 197.54; 8. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.838, 130.78; 9. Marc Ingwersen, EBR, 6.862, 196.10; 10. Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.875, 197.86; 11. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 6.890, 194.13; 12. Ron Tornow, Victory, 6.894, 196.96; 13. Ryan Oehler, EBR, 6.948, 193.32; 14. Jianna Evaristo, Buell, 7.065, 195.90; 15. Wesley Wells, Suzuki,7.237, 185.51; 16. Eiji Kawakami, EBR, 7.408, 184.60.
Not Qualified: 17. Lance Bonham, 7.409, 179.80.
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