NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

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Big numbers highlight wild preseason test session at Gainesville Raceway

Preseason testing at Gainesville Raceway ahead of the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season-opening Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals there March 5-8 has already produced some eye-popping moments.
19 Feb 2026
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
News
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Photos by Auto Imagery | Video by NHRA social

Preseason testing at Gainesville Raceway ahead of the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season-opening Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals there March 5-8 has already produced some eye-popping moments.

Shawn Langdon made a dizzying pass of 3.621 at 341.85 mph, and Josh Hart has already topped 340 mph twice (340.47 and 340.22 mph) in his new John Force Racing dragster as crew chiefs David Grubnic and John Collins continue the assault on 340 mph launched last year with Brittany Force at the wheel.

Jordan Vandergriff completed his crossgrade license from Top Fuel to Funny Car in JFR’s Cornwell Quality Tools Camaro with some three-second passes, while Pro rookie Maddi Gordon is making good progress on her Top Fuel licensing, having clocked a 3.88 despite some mechanical gremlins plaguing the team.

Langdon’s teammate, Top Fuel world champ Doug Kalitta, ran 3.691 at just 315.56 mph in his Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster.

Billy Torrence, Leah Pruett, Tony Stewart, Antron Brown, Clay Millican, and Tony Schumacher are also among the tour regulars testing in Top Fuel. Jaren Mott is making license runs in Larry Dixon's car and Keith Murt is making asses in Todd Paton's dragster.

In Funny Car, J.R. Todd clocked a 3.861 in the new-look DHL Toyota, and Alexis DeJoria also dipped into the threes with her new John Force Racing/Bandero Tequila Chevy. Austin Prock, Matt Hagan, Jack Beckman, Ron Capps, Dan Wilkerson, Cruz Pedregon, and Todd Lesensko are also among the top Funny Car drivers in attendance.

Pro Stock has a big collection of drivers, primarily from the Elite camp with Erica Enders, Aaron and Greg Stanfield, Jeg and Troy Coughlin Jr., and Steven Bell.