Under the lights at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, four championship-caliber drivers reminded everyone why they are among NHRA’s best. Brittany Force, Austin Prock, Cory Reed, and Gaige Herrera each took provisional No. 1 qualifying honors Friday at the 25th annual Dodge NHRA Nevada Nationals powered by Direct Connection — and each for very different reasons.
For Force, the 2025 edition of the Nevada Nationals represents more than just another race. The two-time Top Fuel world champion is making her final full-time appearance in Las Vegas before stepping away from the cockpit at season’s end. She made it count, storming to a 3.697-second pass at 338.85 mph — the fastest speed in track history — to earn both the top spot and the $3,500 “Ted Wiens Trick or Traction Award.”
“That was a killer run,” Force said. “We’ve been hitting our marks all day, and the .69 was what we were aiming for. Las Vegas is one of my favorite tracks. We’ve had success here before, and I want to end strong.”
If her run holds, it will be her sixth No. 1 qualifier of the season. Points leader Doug Kalitta followed with a 3.711 at 337.24, and Shawn Langdon was close behind at 3.715, 336.57. For Force, though, the numbers only tell part of the story. “It’s weird to think about retirement,” she said. “I’m just trying to focus on being in the moment with my team and enjoying these last few weekends.”
In Funny Car, Prock maintained his grip on both the championship and The Strip, turning in a 3.895 at 334.48 in his Cornwell Tools Chevrolet SS. The defending series champion earned his seventh No. 1 of the year and, like Force, pocketed $3,500 from the “Ted Wiens Trick or Traction” bonus program.
Prock has won the past two events at Las Vegas and is chasing a third straight victory — one that could all but seal another NHRA title. “We couldn’t ask for a better start,” he said. “No. 1 qualifier, low ET both rounds — that’s all you can ask of this team. We have a chance to lock it up early, and that’s what we’re after.”
Matt Hagan was just a whisper behind at 3.897 seconds, while rookie Spencer Hyde continued his late-season surge with a 3.917 to place third.
Prock, meanwhile, said his team’s focus remains on execution. “You come into a place where your package works, and it’s exciting,” he said. “The Countdown [to the Championship] is stressful, but it’s a lot easier to breathe if you can wrap it up before Pomona.”
The day’s biggest personal milestone may have belonged to Pro Stock’s Reed. He closed Friday’s sessions with a 6.597-second pass at 206.32 mph in his J&A Service Camaro — the quickest of the field and good for his first career provisional No. 1 qualifier. The run also earned him a $2,000 “Trick or Traction” bonus.
“It’d be nice to finally knock it out and get it done,” Reed said. “It’ll be tough. Erica [Enders] is always strong here, and Greg [Anderson] is right there with us. Hopefully, the weather gets tricky and we hang on.”
Reed, who notched his first Pro Stock win earlier this season in Norwalk, said his goal is to regain momentum heading into the Countdown’s closing stretch. “I want to move forward in the championship, not backward,” he said. “I’ve been hanging out with Dallas [Glenn] a lot, and he’s been rubbing off on me. Having a good attitude definitely helps.”
Anderson sits second with a 6.598 at 206.23, while Enders — who owns 10 career wins in Las Vegas — is third with a 6.606, 208.14.
In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Herrera continued his push to chase down teammate Richard Gadson in the points standings. The two-time reigning champion went 6.800 at 199.17 aboard his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki, claiming both the provisional pole and the $1,000 “Trick or Traction” bonus.
Herrera entered the weekend trailing Gadson by 72 points, but gained valuable ground by collecting the majority of Friday’s bonus points. “I’m definitely happy with the start,” Herrera said. “Getting those extra points and the $1,000 check is a nice bonus. I’m just focusing on being consistent as a rider, hitting my shift points, and staying sharp.”
The rivalry between Herrera and Gadson has defined the Countdown’s closing weeks. Both are chasing history — Gadson, his first championship, and Herrera, a third consecutive crown. “We actually haven’t talked much smack yet,” Herrera said. “We’re both focused right now, but come Pomona, it might be a different story.”
Angie Smith ended the day second with a 6.824 at 198.82, while Gadson posted a 6.834 at 198.06 to snag third.
Friday’s results after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the 25th annual Dodge NHRA Nevada Nationals powered by Direct Connection at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, 19th of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday’s final eliminations.
Top Fuel — 1. Brittany Force, 3.697 seconds, 338.85 mph; 2. Doug Kalitta, 3.711, 337.24; 3. Shawn Langdon, 3.715, 336.57; 4. Shawn Reed, 3.737, 329.10; 5. Tony Stewart, 3.741, 330.72; 6. Justin Ashley, 3.744, 333.41; 7. Antron Brown, 3.750, 333.16; 8. Clay Millican, 3.771, 331.28; 9. Dan Mercier, 3.795, 326.95; 10. Josh Hart, 3.811, 329.26; 11. Rob Passey, 4.278, 227.46; 12. Tony Schumacher, 4.434, 181.06; 13. Kelly Harper, 4.684, 162.14.
Funny Car — 1. Austin Prock, Chevy Camaro, 3.895, 334.48; 2. Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 3.897, 329.75; 3. Spencer Hyde, Ford Mustang, 3.917, 324.75; 4. Ron Capps, Toyota GR Supra, 3.919, 329.91; 5. Daniel Wilkerson, Mustang, 3.919, 329.02; 6. J.R. Todd, GR Supra, 3.930, 329.10; 7. Jack Beckman, Camaro, 3.937, 330.47; 8. Alexis DeJoria, Charger, 3.938, 328.78; 9. Paul Lee, Charger, 3.950, 327.66; 10. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 3.962, 330.15; 11. Chad Green, Mustang, 3.974, 321.42; 12. Del Worsham, Toyota Supra, 3.980, 300.13; 13. Blake Alexander, Charger, 3.990, 314.90; 14. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 4.014, 314.02; 15. Jason Rupert, Mustang, 4.025, 312.21; 16. Tim Gibbons, Mustang, 4.140, 271.46.
Not Qualified: 17. Dylan Winefsky, 4.279, 279.50; 18. Dave Richards, 4.541, 193.40; 19. Jeff Diehl, 4.713, 178.54; 20. Buddy Hull, 5.042, 144.98; 21. Chris Morel, 7.890, 82.80.
Pro Stock — 1. Cory Reed, Chevy Camaro, 6.597, 206.32; 2. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.598, 206.23; 3. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.606, 208.14; 4. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.608, 207.88; 5. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.611, 206.13; 6. Matt Latino, Camaro, 6.614, 206.39; 7. Greg Stanfield, Camaro, 6.616, 207.50; 8. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.618, 207.46; 9. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.619, 206.48; 10. Eric Latino, Camaro, 6.624, 205.38; 11. Fernando Cuadra Jr., Camaro, 6.628, 206.54; 12. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.633, 207.18; 13. Dave Connolly, Camaro, 6.637, 206.48; 14. Troy Coughlin Jr., Camaro, 6.645, 207.11; 15. Cristian Cuadra, Ford Mustang, 6.647, 206.89; 16. David Cuadra, Camaro, 6.650, 206.99.
Not Qualified: 17. Chris McGaha, 6.657, 207.98; 18. Chris Vang, 6.660, 203.68; 19. Kenny Delco, 6.664, 205.38; 20. Mason McGaha, 6.665, 207.24; 21. Joey Grose, 6.779, 203.12.
Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.800, 199.17; 2. Angie Smith, Buell, 6.824, 198.82; 3. Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.834, 198.06; 4. John Hall, Beull, 6.836, 199.02; 5. Matt Smith, Buell, 6.855, 199.23; 6. Ryan Oehler, EBR, 6.872, 195.14; 7. Brayden Davis, Suzuki, 6.875, 198.50; 8. Jianna Evaristo, Buell, 6.887, 197.86; 9. Clayton Howey, Suzuki, 6.894, 195.53; 10. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.942, 195.76; 11. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 6.950, 195.59; 12. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 6.975, 190.81; 13. Freddie Camarena, Suzuki, 6.995, 195.25; 14. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 7.016, 189.02; 15. Marc Ingwersen, EBR, 7.145, 190.27; 16. Kahea Woods, Suzuki, 7.188, 186.23.
Not Qualified: 17. Steve Johnson, 7.901, 120.93.
🚨 BREAKING NEWS: SCAG Racing and Justin Ashley are heading into the NHRA Nevada Nationals with a major change — longtime crew chief Mike Green has parted ways with the team. Tommy DeLago steps up as crew chief as Ashley continues his fight for the Top Fuel championship.
— Competition Plus (@competitionplus) October 17, 2025
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