Photos by Auto Imagery, Alex Owens, Gary Nastase; Video by Les Mayhew
After watching four days of qualifying-style runs that produced more than 300 test passes, one thing became apparent. To win either nitro championship in 2026, a Top Fuel or Funny Car contender would have to go through Kalitta Motorsports.
The Professional Racers Organization concluded its annual preseason test at Gainesville Raceway with 300 individual runs logged between Tuesday morning and early Friday afternoon. When the final engines fell silent, Kalitta Motorsports stood atop both nitro leaderboards.
Shawn Langdon surpassed every Top Fuel milestone in three days of testing, while Funny Car driver J.R. Todd fielded two DHL-backed entries capable of repeatable, bracket-style consistency. The performances were not official NHRA records, but they reset the conversation heading into the NHRA Gatornationals at the same facility two weeks later.
Kalitta Motorsports left Gainesville with what were the quickest and fastest runs ever recorded in drag racing testing. That distinction carried weight even without record-book validation.
In Top Fuel, Langdon delivered the headline numbers: 3.621 seconds at 345.62 mph. Both figures eclipsed any previous test-session performance in the category.
Langdon’s run of 345.62 mph underscored a program that appeared to have found early-season horsepower and stability. He also backed it up with repeatable low 3.60-second performance.
“Very, very happy for my team, happy for the guys,” Langdon said. “It’s always nice to come out testing in the first couple days and just all the hard work that goes into preparation in the off-season and just give the guys some results and reward for their hard work.”
Doug Kalitta reinforced the team’s strength with a 3.659 at 340.47 mph. The two entries formed the quickest pairing of the week.
Leah Pruett, returning to Top Fuel competition after maternity leave, posted a 3.697 at 334.24 mph. Her performance placed her solidly in the upper tier of the 13-car cars testing.
Josh Hart made one of the most remarkable debuts of the test. In his first pass as a member of John Force Racing, Hart ran 3.705 at 340.47 mph.
His 340-mph effort came on the first run down the track by any car in the session. It was also his first competitive lap in the dragster previouslydriven by Brittany Force.
“Yeah, to be the first in the lanes, first down the track first, right out of the box, 340.4, can’t put it into words, man, but it was smooth,” Hart said. “It was straight. These guys are awesome. I knew it was going to be awesome. No disappointment at all. I’m over-the-moon excited.”
Justin Ashley joined the 340-mph club with a 3.707 at 340.82 mph, marking his first run above that benchmark with the revamped SCAG Racing team. Four cars in total eclipsed 340 mph during the session.
Tony Stewart, making his first test laps in the Richard Freeman-led Elite Motorsports Top Fuel dragster, ran 3.718 at 336.82 mph. His progression over the four days suggested a learning curve that shortened with each pass.
Billy Torrence added a 3.713 at 318.32 mph, while Antron Brown clocked 3.724 at 311.63 mph. The depth of the field extended well into the mid-3.70s.
Shawn Reed ran 3.751 at 332.02 mph, and Tony Schumacher posted a 3.776 at 295.08 mph. Clay Millican recorded a 3.825 at 275.84 mph in his transition to a canopy-style Top Fuel dragster.
Millican likened the adjustment to breaking in new equipment after decades in a familiar cockpit. He emphasized patience over panic.
“It’s certainly different,” Millican said. “I’ve done said this a million times and I’m going to keep saying it, I’ve been wearing the same pair of shoes for 27 years and they were broke in. So 28 year I got a new pair of shoes and it’s going to take a little break-in period. But it’s different. But so far, so good. I have told the kids that work on this thing, I said, ‘I’m not jumping out of here telling y’all, y’all got to put the old body back on just yet.’ So it is the same car I drove last year, so when I’m sitting in there, feels like home. When they shut the lid, I’m like, I got a ball cap on now and I won’t usually wear a ball cap.”
Two drivers completed licensing requirements during the session. Maddi Gordon earned her Top Fuel license with a 3.834 at 318.09 mph in the Ron Capps Motorsports dragster.
Jaron Mott completed his requirements in Larry Dixon’s dragster, running 3.941 at 256.06 mph. Their successful passes added to the 13-car Top Fuel contingent preparing for Gainesville eliminations.
TOP FUEL best runs up until Noon Friday
Shawn Langdon – 3.621, 345.62; Doug Kalitta – 3.659, 340.47; Leah Pruett – 3.697. 334.24; Josh Hart – 3.705, 340.47; Justin Ashley – 3.707. 340.82; Billy Torrence – 3.713, 318.32; Tony Stewart – 3.718, 336.82; Antron Brown – 3.724, 311,63; Shawn Reed – 3.751, 332.02; Tony Schumacher – 3.776, 295.08; Clay Millican – 3.825, 275.84; Maddi Gordon – 3.834, 318.09; Keith Murt – 3.913, 318.17; Jaren Mott – 3,941, 256.06
Keith Murt closed with a 3.913 at 318.17 mph, rounding out the testing list.
While Top Fuel delivered the headline numbers, Funny Car delivered consistency. The DHL-backed team led by crew chief Dickie Venables hit the track early and established a rhythm that carried through the week.
J.R. Todd posted the quickest Funny Car run of the session at 3.861 seconds and 338.00 mph. His performance came on the opening day and set the tone for the class.
Todd’s program featured two brand-new race cars for 2026. The team alternated between entries to evaluate data and minimize downtime.
“I feel like we’re definitely optimistic with the changes that we made this offseason going into ’26, with bringing [assistant crew chief] Todd [Smith] back on to work with [crew chief] Dickie [Venables] two brand new cars, which that’s what we’re working out here this week in Gainesville and just hit the ground running,” Todd said. “Definitely gives you, like I said, a lot of optimism going into the season.”
He acknowledged the workload that came with double inventory but framed it as opportunity rather than risk.
“We made some solid gains with the first car, so put it away and we’ll got the second one out and ran it Wednesday and Thursday – we had success with it and no headaches,” Todd said. “That’s the plan this season.”
Jordan Vandergriff, in his first preseason test session with John Force Racing, ran 3.866 at 331.69 mph. He completed his crossover licensing requirements on his second full run of testing.
Vandergriff led the field on the second day and finished as the second-quickest overall. His comfort level increased with each pass.
“I think the pressure is decreasing, if I’m being honest,” Vandergriff said. “I think I put a lot of pressure on myself to drive this car well, and I knew coming into this, this car was going to run well based on what it’s been the last two years. So I knew I just had to come in here and do what I could, and so far it’s gone pretty smoothly. So I think with each run I feel a little more comfortable and that’s taking the pressure off. The pressure of the season, we could worry about that later. The focus here in testing was for me to get comfortable behind the wheel of this car. And so far, so good.”
Jack Beckman, Vandergriff’s teammate, followed closely with a 3.867 at 334.07 mph. The pairing signaled depth within the organization.
Austin Prock, newly aligned with Tasca Racing, ran 3.878 at 329.91 mph and briefly positioned himself atop the charts on Thursday morning. His early shutoff run hinted at even quicker potential.
“Yeah. This morning it was actually on track to run 84,” Prock said. “Clicked it early, planned to shut off at 660 feet, so this Prock rocket’s back on the prowl. It definitely feels good. Worked through some difficult times over the last few months and especially these last two days with this race car, and really proud of this team, that’s quite the feat to be able to roll out here this morning on track to run 84 and finish the day with an 87. I think that would’ve been first quick and the 87 to the stripe was second quick, so really proud.”
Ron Capps rounded out the top five with a 3.896 at 336.32 mph. Alexis DeJoria posted a 3.939 at 321.27 mph.
Matt Hagan recorded a 3.938 at 302.01 mph, while Cruz Pedregon ran 3.941 at 327.66 mph. Chad Green, Julie Nataas and Daniel Wilkerson each logged competitive mid-3.90-second passes.
FUNNY CAR best runs up until Friday at Noon.
J.R. Todd – 3.861, 338.00
Jordan Vandergriff – 3.866, 331.69; Jack Beckman – 3.867, 334.07; Austin Prock – 3.878, 329.91; Ron Capps – 3.896, 336.32; Alexis DeJoria – 3.939. 321.27; Matt Hagan – 3.938, 302.01; Cruz Pedregon – 3.941, 327,66; Chad Green – 3.954, 324.44; Julie Nataas – 3.965, 320.43; Daniel Wilkerson – 3.968, 274.66; Hunter Green – 3.973, 32751
Dan Wilkerson – 4.066. 269.40
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