Austin Prock, Shawn Langdon, Greg Anderson, and Richard Gadson led their respective classes at the 40th annual Texas NHRA FallNationals, setting the tone for a high-stakes Countdown to the Championship round at Texas Motorplex. The event marks the 18th of 20 races in the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season and the fourth of six playoff events in the Countdown.
Funny Car points leader Austin Prock once again showcased his consistency, keeping the top spot with a 3.876-second, 336.07 mph blast from Friday night in his Cornwell Tools Chevrolet SS. It marked his sixth No. 1 qualifier of the season, and the 24th of his career, reinforcing his hold on the points lead as the Countdown battle tightens. Prock backed up his Friday performance with two strong Saturday passes, including a 3.934 at 330.18 in the Texas heat.
“The points are so close right now, so we just have to focus on going out and winning every race that’s left,” Prock said. “Whoever wins the most in this next three-race shootout is going to be world champion. We’ve got to focus on our race car and what we’re doing, and right now, our race car looks good.”
The reigning Funny Car champion, who has yet to win at Texas Motorplex, said Saturday’s runs boosted his confidence heading into eliminations. “I feel like our two runs today were more impressive than our run last night,” Prock said. “Getting down the racetrack efficiently and quickly and a few hundredths ahead of the field definitely feels good.”
Prock, who has won eight times this season, will face Blake Alexander in Sunday’s opening round. The Funny Car field remains stacked, with Ron Capps qualifying second at 3.889, 334.55, followed by Jack Beckman — Prock’s John Force Racing teammate — in third with a 3.892, 330.83 run.
In Top Fuel, Shawn Langdon claimed his first No. 1 qualifier of 2025 with a 3.684, 338.88 pass in his Kalitta Air 25th Anniversary dragster. The 2013 Top Fuel champion, who sits third in points, earned the 22nd No. 1 qualifier of his career and remains one of the few drivers capable of challenging teammate Doug Kalitta and second-place Justin Ashley for the championship.
Langdon’s Kalitta Motorsports dragster was quick in both Friday sessions and steady in the heat Saturday, giving the veteran confidence heading into eliminations. He’ll line up against Mitch King in Round 1 as he looks for his first win in Dallas.
“We feel like we have a slightly better car with the cooler conditions, but it hasn’t played out that way,” Langdon said. “You just have to have a good, fast car when you need it, but also a good, consistent car when you need it. That’s been our focus.”
Langdon said the team has worked hard to make the car more predictable and forgiving under race-day pressure. “It’s kind of a work in progress, but it’s nice to be able to make some good runs on Friday and Saturday and set the tone,” he said. “You try to make the best run possible to get yourself set up to where you have confidence for raceday.”
Shawn Reed qualified second with a 3.685, 333.56, and defending event winner Ashley was third with a 3.688, 338.02. Points leader Kalitta qualified fifth at 3.701, 338.37.
In Pro Stock, Greg Anderson held onto his No. 1 position from Friday with a 6.497, 209.88 mph in his HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro. The six-time champion, who trails teammate Dallas Glenn in the standings, added two more strong passes Saturday and earned his seventh top qualifier of the season. Anderson will start eliminations against David Cuadra as he pursues his seventh win at Texas Motorplex.
“We’ve learned how to manage a hot racetrack,” Anderson said. “The whole KB Titan team has been doing a great job and hopefully tomorrow will be great. We’re going to have to be great because there’s a lot of really good cars out there. It’s going to be fun. We love racing here in Texas and here at Texas Motorplex, and we’re thrilled to have this car on the pole again.”
Cory Reed qualified second at 6.504, 210.99, while Glenn was third with a 6.507 at 210.
In Pro Stock Motorcycle, points leader Richard Gadson earned his second career No. 1 qualifier, both coming this season, with a 6.747-second run at 201.59 mph aboard his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki. The breakout rider, who continues to lead the championship standings, will race Lance Bonham in the first round as he seeks his first Dallas victory.
“I’m just trusting in my team,” Gadson said. “They’ve given me a great bike and all I have to do is pop the clutch and hit the button on time. I’ve been having a great time here at the Stampede of Speed in Dallas, and we’ve got four rounds to go on Sunday to win it.”
Defending champion Gaige Herrera, who has won at the Motorplex the past two years, qualified second at 6.752, 200.71, with rookie Brayden Davis in third at 6.771, 201.46.
Eliminations for the 40th annual Texas NHRA FallNationals begin at 10 a.m. CDT Sunday at Texas Motorplex.
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