NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

These Notes are updated throughout the day

Q3 NHRA Pro Stock Qualifying Update — Reading Nationals
Maple Grove Raceway — Saturday Afternoon

The third qualifying session delivered a string of side-by-side passes and a few dramatic shakeups as teams fought to secure their Sunday spots heading into the final qualifying round later today.

Early Trouble for Pruiensky

Alan Prusiensky opened the session solo in the right lane but slowed to a 7.307 at 133.47 mph after getting loose early. His 1.010 sixty-foot and 4.376 to the eighth at just 159.59 mph indicated he was off the pace and remains on the outside looking in.

Top-End Tightness

Greg Anderson clocked a strong 6.515 at 208.97 mph to stay among the leaders, while Deric Kramer posted a solid 6.536 at 210.14 mph in the other lane.

Troy Coughlin Jr. delivered a 6.558 at 210.24 mph to narrowly defeat Greg Stanfield’s 6.550 at 209.30 mph by just .0065 seconds.

Mid-Pack Movers

Eric Latino surged to a 6.536 at 210.28 mph to jump into the quick half of the field.

Matt Hartford followed closely with a 6.556 at 209.39 mph, while Brandon Miller went 6.561 at 209.79 mph to stay safely qualified.

On the Bubble

Shane Tucker put up a 6.645 at 207.37 mph alongside Kenny Delco’s 6.666 at 187.11 mph, both trying to dig out of the danger zone as the bump spot creeps quicker.
 

Pro Stock Motorcycle Q3 Highlights

The third qualifying session featured a flurry of strong runs and razor-thin margins as riders chased crucial ladder positions heading into the final round later today.

Big Names on Top

Gaige Herrera delivered a crisp 6.777 at 200.05 mph to narrowly edge Richard Gadson’s 6.792/200.56 by just .0065 seconds in one of the quickest pairings of the round.

Matt Smith clocked a solid 6.999/189.10 over Ron Tornow (7.256), proving his championship push is gaining momentum.

Tight Mid-Pack Battles

Angie Smith ran a strong 6.801/199.67 to top Steve Johnson (6.908/192.30) by .1665.

Kelly Clontz laid down a clean 6.841/198.35 to edge John Hall (6.829/198.85) in a side-by-side duel.

Marc Ingwersen posted 6.882/194.80 to stay ahead of Ryan Oehler’s 6.870/191.76, separated by just .0234.

Rising Young Riders

Brayden Davis impressed with a 6.830 at 200.20 mph, nipping Chase Van Sant (6.818/197.57) by a razor-thin .0020.

Jianna Evaristo stayed consistent with a 6.917/196.22 to keep herself safely in the field.

Brandon Litten stood out with a 6.988/192.49, while Chris Bostick struggled to a 10.315 after early troubles.

Q3 Top Fuel Qualifying Update — 40th NHRA Reading Nationals
Maple Grove Raceway — Saturday Afternoon

The third qualifying session for Top Fuel produced a mix of booming side-by-side runs and tricky tire-shaking passes as teams chased evening conditions and critical Countdown points.

Heavy Hitters Go Quick

Brittany Force uncorked the run of the session with a 3.794 at 334.57 mph, edging Shawn Langdon (3.873/148.67) in a dramatic pairing.

Tony Schumacher blasted to a 3.776 at 322.73 mph to outrun Steve Torrence’s 4.564/169.00, showing peak Countdown form.

Justin Ashley was solid with a 4.130/219.08, topping Clay Millican (4.664/144.66).

Strong Side-by-Side Passes

Josh Hart clocked a clean 4.208/205.63 to edge Tony Stewart (4.146/213.23) by .1127.

Doug Foley delivered a strong 3.825/300.33 run to take down Dan Mercier (7.335/94.81).

Antron Brown got down the track in 4.142/221.56, defeating Kyle Satsenstein (4.481/180.14).

Early-Shake and Short Runs

Doug Kalitta shut off early to a 5.506/130.33, trailing Shawn Reed who carded a clean 3.813/329.26.

With one qualifying session left, Force and Schumacher’s low-3.70s have reset the bar as teams chase the top-half advantage and valuable bonus points heading into Sunday eliminations.
 

 A sold-out crowd announced at Maple Grove Raceway!

Read the story thanking all the fans: https://www.nhra.com/news/2025/fourth-straight-saturday-sellout-crowd-nhra-reading-nationals-maple-grove-raceway 

 Q3 Funny Car Qualifying Update 

The third session of Funny Car qualifying produced big speeds, quick side-by-side passes, and dramatic shifts in the ladder as teams made their last daytime shot before the evening session.

Big Speed and Big Names

Ron Capps rocketed to a 3.949 at 330.07 mph, the quickest pass of the round, easily outpacing Terry Haddock (6.234/109.41).

JR Todd unleashed a stout 3.960/329.67, defeating Austin Prock who had to pedal to a 5.450/132.65.

Bob Tasca III laid down a sharp 3.989/324.83 to top Matt Hagan (4.134/242.98).

Tight Side-by-Side Duels

Blake Alexander fired off a 4.019/322.42 to edge Joe Morrison (4.369/211.49) by .3806.

Chad Green (4.034/312.93) clipped Dave Richards (4.181/303.43) by just .0776.

Cruz Pedregon (4.085/275.22) barely trailed Alex Laughlin (4.100/312.78) in a close pairing separated by .0829.

Jack Beckman powered to a 4.036/312.93 over Spencer Hyde (6.188).

Climbing the Charts

Paul Lee made a strong statement with a 3.920/326.56 to defeat Alexis DeJoria (5.799).

Daniel Wilkerson impressed with a clean 4.307/212.53, topping Phil Burkart (4.845/165.76).

With one qualifying session remaining, Capps’ 3.94 and Todd’s 3.96 have reset the bar, while the rest of the field is stacked tightly in the low-four-second range, setting up a high-stakes Q4 finale at Maple Grove.
 

Q3 Factory X Qualifying Update 

The third qualifying session for Factory X featured quick, clean side-by-side runs as the class continues to showcase its consistency during the Countdown opener. 

Side-by-Side Showdowns 

Conner Statler and Jesse Alexandra delivered the tightest duel of the session — Statler clocked a 6.933 at 197.36 mph, edging Alexandra’s 6.955/194.66 by just .0175 at the stripe. 

Kyle Koretsky followed with a smooth 7.123/188.75 to stay in the mix and gather valuable data for Sunday. 

Solid Runs on a Tricky Track

 Chris Holbrook posted a 7.055 at 193.74 mph on a slightly slower leave, while Lenny Lottig did not record a full pass in the opposite lane.

Q4 Pro Stock Qualifying Recap 

The final qualifying session for Pro Stock wrapped up under prime evening conditions, producing a flurry of sharp side-by-side runs as drivers made their last push to secure top-half positions for race day.

Sharp Passes in Crunch Time

Greg Stanfield delivered one of the cleanest laps of the round with a 6.554 at 209.88 mph, edging Troy Coughlin Jr. (6.590/209.65) by .0322.

Matt Hartford laid down a strong 6.538/208.78 to top Eric Latino (6.546/210.14) in a tight duel separated by just .0413.

Brandon Miller fired off a 6.655/206.16 to take down Shane Tucker (6.707/206.39).

Early-Session Highlights

Cody Coughlin clipped Deric Kramer on a holeshot, 6.537/209.92 to 6.558/208.59, winning by .0203.

Aaron Stanfield (6.543/210.93) outpaced Greg Anderson (6.525/210.44) by .0404.

Erica Enders outdueled Dallas Glenn with a 6.548/210.80 lap.

On the Bubble

Alan Prusiensky (6.733/203.43) and Kenny Delco (6.611/208.68) found improvements but will start from the lower half of the ladder.

With qualifying complete, the field is set for Sunday eliminations — and the Countdown battle is officially on.

Q4 Pro Stock Motorcycle Qualifying Recap 

The final qualifying session for Pro Stock Motorcycle closed out Saturday with side-by-side fireworks and critical ladder shuffles as riders locked in their spots for Sunday eliminations.

Leaders Stay Sharp

Matt Smith delivered a strong 6.792 at 199.52 mph to edge Chase Van Sant (6.960/195.76) by .1501.

In one of the tightest matchups of the night, Richard Gadson clipped points leader Gaige Herrera on a holeshot — 6.792/200.11 to 6.804/198.90 — winning by just .0284.

 Mid-Pack Movers

John Hall (6.880/198.20) topped Brayden Davis (6.931/174.87) to cap a clean day.

Marc Ingwersen punched out a 6.922/193.93 over Ryan Oehler (6.980/192.88).

Steve Johnson picked off Kelly Clontz with a 6.884/192.52 to her 6.901/193.99.

Others on the Charge

Angie Smith went 6.839/197.57 to defeat Ron Tornow (6.879/196.02).

Chris Bostick edged Jianna Evaristo with a 6.848/198.09 to 6.816/199.20, and Brandon Litten rolled to a clean 6.918/195.51.

With the field now set, Smith and Gadson head into Sunday carrying momentum — while Herrera will have to battle from the other side of the ladder to protect his championship lead.
 

Q4 Top Fuel Qualifying Recap — 40th NHRA Reading Nationals
Maple Grove Raceway — Saturday Evening

Saturday’s final qualifying session for Top Fuel ended with a flurry of low-3.80s and triple-digit speeds as teams took their last shot at climbing the ladder before Sunday eliminations.

Showstopping Runs 

Antron Brown delivered one of the smoothest passes of the day, laying down a 3.930 at 317.05 mph to take out Kyle Satsenstein (4.131/242.89).

Tony Stewart made a strong statement with a 3.817/327.35 to defeat Doug Foley (4.005/262.23).

Steve Torrence threw down a crisp 3.824/332.51, besting Shawn Langdon (4.252/202.85) by nearly four tenths.

Strong Side-by-Side Duels

Josh Hart edged Dan Mercier with a 3.841/328.30 to 3.833/326.32, winning by .0194.

Justin Ashley (3.841/326.32) narrowly topped Clay Millican (3.796/330.15) by just .0136 on a holeshot.

Doug Kalitta (3.794/333.41) outran Shawn Reed (3.860/316.52) in a clean side-by-side pairing.

Countdown Tension Rises

Tony Schumacher ran 4.216/195.34 to get past Brittany Force (4.560/171.45) and solidify a top-half start.

With qualifying complete, the field is set.

Q4 Funny Car Qualifying Recap — 40th NHRA Reading Nationals
Maple Grove Raceway — Saturday Evening

The last qualifying session for Funny Car wrapped with a mix of standout side-by-side runs and clutch solo passes as the field locked in for Sunday eliminations.

Big Moves in the Cool Air

Paul Lee unloaded a 3.893 at 328.22 mph, defeating Alexis DeJoria (3.983/326.79) by .1202 and planting himself near the top half of the field.

Austin Prock kept his momentum rolling with a 3.947/328.14 over JR Todd (3.980/326.71) by .0396.

Ron Capps closed the session with a crisp 3.967/327.35 over Daniel Wilkerson (4.031/319.22).

Clean Passes and Tight Duels

Blake Alexander delivered a 3.965/323.19 to knock out Chad Green (4.072/312.64).

Cruz Pedregon (3.953/324.28) outran Bob Tasca III (3.945/327.59) in a thriller decided by .1321.

Matt Hagan kept his machine consistent with a clean 4.008/318.62 solo lap.

Early-Session Highlights

Dave Richards powered to a 4.018/316.67 over Alex Laughlin (4.099/314.24).

Phil Burkart made a safe roll down after an early shutoff to post a 10.162.

With qualifying complete, the stage is set—Sunday eliminations will unleash the full force of the Funny Car field.