NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

If you don’t like the weather in New England, wait five minutes. But if you don’t like racing, you’re in the wrong place. Because today, the forest-lined strip of asphalt at New England Dragway in Epping, New Hampshire, transforms into a coliseum of acceleration, thunder, and glory.

The NHRA New England Nationals isn’t just a stop on the tour—it’s a proving ground. The granite backbone of this state mirrors the racers who come here: tough, tested, and unrelenting in their pursuit of speed. And today, eliminations begin with one mission—to beat time and distance with horsepower.

A Track with Soul

From its tucked-away location surrounded by evergreens, New England Dragway may be 3,000 miles from NHRA’s birthplace in Southern California, but the spirit of drag racing is alive and well here. The track has a rhythm and soul all its own, shaped by diehard Northeast fans and decades of fuel, rubber, and roaring memories.

Today, the surface will carry the marks of a thousand burnouts and record-setting launches as fans watch their favorite drivers fight for every inch over 1,000 feet of Top Fuel and Funny Car chaos—or a quarter-mile of Pro Stock brilliance.

The FOX Factor

As the racing unfolds, millions more will tune in from home, because today’s event will be broadcast on FOX. That means the nation will witness eliminations—where reaction times, throttle response, and track strategy collide in heart-pounding drama. Whether you're in the stands or on your couch, this is must-watch motorsport.

Top Fuel: Kalitta Leads the Charge

Doug Kalitta arrives in Epping with one mission: remind everyone who the reigning Top Fuel champion is. He earned the No. 1 qualifier position with a jaw-dropping 3.670-second run at 337.24 mph, resetting the track speed record in the process and capturing his fourth Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge of the season.

Kalitta’s Mac Tools team is red-hot. But he’ll have to fend off some serious threats:

• Tony Stewart, who qualified second (3.694 at 330.55 mph), is the current points leader and has found his nitro stride in 2025 with a pair of recent wins.

• Antron Brown, the 2023 world champion, qualified third and remains a master of Sunday eliminations. His 3.697 at 337.07 mph proves he’s still a top threat.

Dark horses like Justin Ashley, Steve Torrence, and even Josh Hart are more than capable of sending shockwaves through the bracket.

Funny Car: Prock, Beckman, and the Battle for the Northeast

Reigning Funny Car champion Austin Prock topped qualifying with a stout 3.860 at 331.69 mph, showing that his Cornwell Quality Tools team hasn’t lost a step. But his path to a Wally won’t be easy.

Jack Beckman, returning with the 2024 NHRA New England Nationals wining Peak Funny Car to  fill-in for John Force, made headlines by winning the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge. His 3.913 at 316.52 mph was a masterclass in veteran composure, proving that “Fast Jack” still has it—and then some.

And let’s not forget Bob Tasca III. The New England native always brings the fire to his home track and qualified with a quick 3.891 at 335.40 mph. A win here would mean more than just points—it would be personal.

Also in the mix: past champions Ron Capps and "Mr. New Hampshire" Matt Hagan, both still capable of turning their weekends around with a single stellar run.

Pro Stock: Coughlin Shocks, Hartford Rises

Some may not have expected Cody Coughlin—a former circle track star making his NHRA Pro Stock debut season—to earn his first No. 1 qualifier this quickly. But with a stunning 6.537 at 210.28 mph, he showed that the KB Titan team’s horsepower—and his learning curve—are both razor sharp.

Joining him atop the sheets were seasoned veterans:

• Greg Anderson-the six-time champ- matched the ET with a 6.537 at 209.95 mph and brings unmatched experience to Sunday’s ladder.

• Dallas Glenn also laid down a 6.537, proving that the field is separated by thousandths—and no one is safe.

And then there’s Matt Hartford, who won the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge in a bold drive that sent a clear message: he's not here to play defense. He's here to win.

Also keep an eye on Erica Enders, the other six-time champ, who’s been quiet this season. Quiet doesn’t mean done.

What to Expect Today

Every round on Sunday is a war. There’s no coasting. No guarantees. A tire shake, a missed light, or a fraction-of-a-second on a missed shift can send favorites packing.

But the great thing about eliminations? It’s not just about being the best. It’s about being the best, right now.

The New England Dragway surface—freshly washed every morning this weekend—demands focus. The cooler conditions expected today might favor the clutch-tuning teams who can find bite without spin. And as the track tightens, reaction times will matter more than ever.

The Granite State Delivers Drama

There’s something poetic about racing in New Hampshire. Known as the Granite State, its namesake represents the toughness, tradition, and timelessness of the people and the place. It’s also a fitting metaphor for drag racers—resilient, unmoved by pressure, shaped over time into something unbreakable. Today, speed will test time itself. And only the fastest, smartest, and most fearless will survive.

🔥 Top Fuel – Round One Matchups 🔥

Doug Kalitta — Bye Run
Ida Zetterström vs. Steve Torrence
Shawn Reed vs. Scott Farley
Brittany Force vs. Clay Millican
Tony Stewart vs. Rit Pustari
Justin Ashley vs. Josh Hart
Antron Brown vs. Mike Bucher
Shawn Langdon vs. Dan Mercier

🔥 Funny Car – First Round Matchups 🔥

Austin Prock vs. Buddy Hull
Spencer Hyde vs. Matt Hagan
Blake Alexander vs. Chad Green
Jack Beckman vs. Daniel Wilkerson
Bob Tasca III vs. Phil Burkart
Cruz Pedregon vs. J.R. Todd
Paul Lee vs. Dave Richards
Alexis DeJoria vs. Ron Capps

🔥 Pro Stock – First Round Matchups  🔥

Cody Coughlin vs. Brandon Miller
Chris McGaha vs. Aaron Stanfield
Erica Enders vs. Deric Kramer
Cory Reed vs. Mason McGaha
Greg Anderson vs. Kenny Delco
Dave Connolly vs. Greg Stanfield
Dallas Glenn vs. Troy Coughlin Jr.
Matt Hartford vs. Jeg Coughlin Jr.

Watch It on FOX

📺 Don’t miss the action—tune in to FOX at 6 p.m. ET for Sunday eliminations from the NHRA New England Nationals.

2024 EVENT WINNERS
Doug Kalitta, Top Fuel; John Force, Funny Car; Troy Coughlin Jr., Pro Stock

MOST EVENT VICTORIES
Tony Schumacher, 2 TF; Matt Hagan, 4, FC; Greg Anderson PS.
TRACK RECORDS

TOP FUEL 3.664 seconds by Steve Torrence, June ‘22; 335.57 mph by Brittany Force, June ‘24.

FUNNY CAR 3.822 seconds by Robert Hight, June ‘17; 336.74 mph by Hight, June ‘17.

PRO STOCK 6.485 seconds by Shane Gray, June ‘14; 214.72 mph by Greg Anderson, June ‘15.

NATIONAL RECORDS
Top Fuel - 3.623 sec. by Brittany Force, Sept. ‘19, Reading; 341.59 mph by Brittany Force, April. ‘25, Charlotte
Funny Car - 3.793 sec. by Robert Hight, Aug. '17, Brainerd; 341.68 mph by Austin Prock, Nov. ’24, Pomona
Pro Stock Motorcycle - 6.627 sec. by Gaige Herrera, Oct. ’23, Dallas; 205.04 mph by Matt Smith, July ‘22, Sonoma

SCHEDULE             

Sunday, June 1

10:00 a.m. - SealMaster Track Walk and Pre-Race Ceremonies (Starting Line) 

11:00 a.m. - Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Eliminations Begin! 

TELEVISION

Finals    Sunday, June 01, 2025    6:00 PM - 9:00 PM ET    FOX