NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

In the rolling hills of Pennsylvania, nature rules the environment. Everything is formed on a curve here. The hills, the streams, even the property lines and the highways all seem to be drawn on an arc. Mother Nature has put a radius on everything here—everything that is except for speed.

As crowds roll into Maple Grove Raceway from miles around, the straight-line exceptionalism of the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series pierces the countryside like the staccato crack of nitromethane HEMI engines. Speed has a home here. And today, with even bigger Saturday crowds pouring in, speed may once again find its familiar playground at the 40th annual NHRA Reading Nationals presented by Nitro Fish.

The weekend marks the official start of the NHRA Countdown to the Championship, and after two rounds of qualifying on Friday, all four professional categories are locked in fierce battles for bonus points, ladder position, and momentum heading into Sunday eliminations.

Top Fuel: Millican Lights the Fuse

Clay Millican delivered the run of the day Friday night, blasting to a 3.704 at 336.32 mph in Q2 to grab the provisional No. 1. After opening with tire smoke, Millican and crew chief Jim Oberhofer uncorked a straight, full pull that set the tone heading into Saturday.

Doug Kalitta (3.756/335.40) was strong early before slowing in Q2, while Justin Ashley (3.738/331.69), Shawn Reed (3.758/328.46), and Josh Hart (3.811/332.26) all tightened the gap.

With crisp air expected to return on Saturday evening if cloud cover rolls in, the field could dip into the 3.6s as teams chase the No. 1 spot — and critical Countdown points.

Funny Car: Heavy Hitters Crowd the 3.8s

Friday night saw the Funny Car sheet compress dramatically. Austin Prock jumped to the top with a 3.882 at 333.74 mph, while JR Todd (3.911/334.24) and Matt Hagan (3.932/330.80) stayed close.

Blake Alexander (3.932/330.80), Daniel Wilkerson (3.912/329.34), and Alexis DeJoria (3.948/329.26) also showed big improvement in the cooler evening air. With seven drivers already dipping into the 3.8s or better, Saturday’s final two sessions could see a run deep into the 3.7s as teams battle for top honors.

Pro Stock: Glenn vs. Enders in a Heavyweight Duel

In Pro Stock, the points pressure was evident from the first hit. Dallas Glenn seized provisional No. 1 with a 6.502 at 210.50 mph in Q2, narrowly outrunning Erica Enders (6.506/211.36) and Aaron Stanfield (6.512).

Just behind them, Greg Anderson (6.525) and Cody Coughlin (6.520) delivered clean laps as the bump spot tightened heading into Saturday. Track conditions are expected to peak during Saturday afternoon’s sessions, giving teams their best shot yet at a run in the 6.40s — and the valuable bonus points that come with top qualifying positions.

Pro Stock Motorcycle: Herrera Rockets to the Front

The Pro Stock Motorcycle field was shaken up in Q2 when Gaige Herrera fired off a 6.745 at 200.20 mph to take over the top spot from early leader Richard Gadson (6.786/201.46). Matt Smith slotted into No. 2 with a strong 6.753 at 200.95 mph, and Angie Smith showed muscle with a 5.669 at 198.41 mph as her new Countdown engine package came alive.

John Hall (5.744/199.17) and Ron Tornow (5.714/198.58) climbed into the top half, while early standout Brayden Davis will look to bounce back Saturday after an early shutoff in Q2. Expect the class to push even harder in the cool afternoon and evening sessions as they chase the No. 1 seed.

What’s Next

Saturday at Maple Grove Raceway will feature two more qualifying sessions for all four professional categories, setting the ladders for Sunday eliminations. With the NHRA Countdown to the Championship officially underway, every run matters — and the pressure to be perfect is only intensifying.

Saturday Schedule — Maple Grove Raceway

NHRA Reading Nationals presented by Nitro Fish
(All times Eastern)

9:00 a.m. — Sportsman Eliminations

10:00 a.m. — Total Seal Tech Talk (at Matt Hartford’s Pro Stock pit)

11:00 a.m. — Top Alcohol Dragster and Funny Car Qualifying Session

11:30 a.m. — U.S. Air Force Band “Full Spectrum” Performance (Air Force display)

11:45 a.m. — Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Qualifying Session

12:00 p.m. — Holley EFI Factory X Qualifying Session

12:05 p.m. — Summit Racing Equipment JDRL National Shootout Eliminations — Round 1

12:30 p.m. — Pro Stock Car and Pro Stock Motorcycle Qualifying Session

1:30 p.m. — Nitro Qualifying Session (Top Fuel & Funny Car)

2:00 p.m. — U.S. Air Force Band “Full Spectrum” Performance (Air Force display)

2:30 p.m. — Mountain Motor Pro Stock Qualifying Session

2:45 p.m. — Summit JDRL National Shootout Eliminations — Semifinals

3:00 p.m. — Pro Stock Car and Pro Stock Motorcycle Qualifying Session

4:00 p.m. — Nitro Qualifying Session (Top Fuel & Funny Car)

5:00 p.m. — Top Alcohol Eliminations — Round 1

5:45 p.m. — Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Eliminations — Round 1

6:00 p.m. — Mountain Motor Pro Stock Eliminations — Round 1

6:15 p.m. — Sportsman Eliminations

7:15 p.m. — Top Alcohol Eliminations — Round 2

🎟️ Get Your Tickets to Experience It Live

Be part of the action at Maple Grove Raceway! Secure your seats for today and tomorrow’s eliminations at the NHRA Reading Nationals presented by Nitro Fish by visiting sitickets.com/maple-grove-raceway
.

📺 Watch Every Pass Live on NHRA.tv

Can’t make it to the track? Stream every qualifying session and elimination round live on your TV, laptop, or smartphone at NHRA.tv
and catch all the championship-chasing action as it happens.

NHRA on Fox Sports 1 Tune-In Times

Sunday, Sept. 15: Qualifying coverage at 12 p.m. ET (FS1)

Sunday, Sept. 15: Finals coverage LIVE at 3 p.m. ET (FS1)