Doug Kalitta is the No. 1 qualifier for the third consecutive NHRA event, claiming the top spot Saturday for the 25th annual Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by Peak in Joliet, Ill. Kalitta logged a track-record pass of 3.661 seconds at 335.23 mph.
Kalitta dominated the Top Fuel field heading into Sunday’s eliminations, continuing his strong qualifying performance this season. He will face Lex Joon in the opening round in search of his first victory of the year.
“We’re definitely focused on going rounds tomorrow, but we’re starting from a great spot,” Kalitta said. “I love racing here in Chicago. We’re really proud of what we’ve got going on, and we’ve just got to keep it going.
“Today the track was cooler, and that allowed us to really get after it. Everyone stepped up, but we managed to make the best run. So far, so good. I’m focused for tomorrow, and I hope we can get to the final with a chance to win it.”
Tony Stewart qualified second with a personal best of 3.679 at 332.43 mph, while Shawn Langdon, Kalitta’s teammate, secured third with a time of 3.687, 335.65 mph. Antron Brown finished fourth, setting the track speed record at 338.09.
Beckman earned the top qualifying spot in Funny Car for John Force Racing with a run of 3.859, 332.75. It’s Beckman’s second top qualifier of the season and the 30th of his career as he looks to rebound from recent first-round losses.
“This is a track that isn’t run on much, so yesterday we had to reel the cars back and then today it was 20 degrees cooler so our guys went back to the data and took a look at (past) runs and the car did exactly what they said it would and as a driver, that gives you so much confidence,” Beckman said. “We get a lot of winds in Las Vegas and you just have to be aware. You have no control over the wind, but you do have a steering wheel.”
In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Herrera maintained Vance & Hines’ strong performance in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, winning against Matt Smith with a time of 6.722 at 201.67 mph on his RevZilla/Mission Foods/Vance & Hines Suzuki.
Herrera also qualified No. 1 with a run of 6.717, 202.33 mph, marking his third consecutive top qualifier to start the 2025 season. Smith secured the second spot with a time of 6.727 at a track-record-setting 204.26 mph, while Richard Gadson ranked third with a run of 6.737 at 202.27 mph.
Eliminations for the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by Peak begin at 10:30 a.m. CDT on Sunday at Route 66 Raceway.
Sunday’s first-round pairings for eliminations for the 25th annual Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK Performance at Route 66 Raceway, the sixth 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. Doug Kalitta, 3.661 seconds, 335.40 mph vs. 16. Lex Joon, 4.099, 249.35; 2. Tony Stewart, 3.679, 332.43 vs. 15. Terry Totten, 4.003, 271.02; 3. Shawn Langdon, 3.687, 335.65 vs. 14. Kyle Wurtzel, 3.937, 242.50; 4. Antron Brown, 3.691, 338.09 vs. 13. T.J. Zizzo, 3.784, 330.72; 5. Justin Ashley, 3.697, 337.50 vs. 12. Brittany Force, 3.780, 327.03; 6. Steve Torrence, 3.715, 333.74 vs. 11. Spencer Massey, 3.776, 322.27; 7. Shawn Reed, 3.720, 334.82 vs. 10. Dan Mercier, 3.755, 334.24; 8. Josh Hart, 3.735, 329.02 vs. 9. Clay Millican, 3.743, 330.55.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Will Smith, 4.159, 231.08.
Funny Car — 1. Jack Beckman, Chevy Camaro, 3.859, 332.75 vs. 16. Dave Richards, Ford Mustang, 4.085, 311.49; 2. Paul Lee, Dodge Charger, 3.866, 329.42 vs. 15. Buddy Hull, Charger, 4.057, 319.98; 3. Matt Hagan, Charger, 3.880, 331.85 vs. 14. Blake Alexander, Charger, 4.040, 321.04; 4. J.R. Todd, Toyota GR Supra, 3.884, 336.40 vs. 13. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 4.029, 325.69; 5. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 3.887, 335.15 vs. 12. Daniel Wilkerson, Mustang, 3.998, 319.22; 6. Ron Capps, GR Supra, 3.889, 330.88 vs. 11. Alexis DeJoria, Charger, 3.997, 324.05; 7. Austin Prock, Camaro, 3.910, 333.58 vs. 10. Bobby Bode, Mustang, 3.957, 322.96; 8. Chad Green, Mustang, 3.938, 324.83 vs. 9. Spencer Hyde, Mustang, 3.945, 302.48.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Chris King, 5.546, 130.34; 18. Justin Schriefer, 6.193, 195.79; 19. Dale Creasy Jr., 6.758, 98.74.
Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.717, 202.36 vs. Bye; 2. Matt Smith, Buell, 6.727, 204.26 vs. 15. Wesley Wells, Suzuki, 7.227, 186.79; 3. Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.737, 202.27 vs. 14. Lance Bonham, Buell, 7.075, 188.46; 4. Angie Smith, Buell, 6.789, 201.31 vs. 13. Geno Scali, Suzuki, 6.991, 194.27; 5. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 6.794, 200.02 vs. 12. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 6.865, 198.44; 6. Ryan Oehler, EBR, 6.796, 200.77 vs. 11. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.847, 197.86; 7. Jianna Evaristo, Buell, 6.800, 201.82 vs. 10. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.839, 200.14; 8. Marc Ingwersen, EBR, 6.812, 199.05 vs. 9. John Hall, Beull, 6.836, 199.40.
