NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

After a summer break of sorts, the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series roars back to life at Brainerd International Raceway—a place where world-class competition meets the unmistakably fun spirit of summer camp.

The Zoo campground is alive. The grandstands are filling. Everywhere you look, there is passion, anticipation and the pure joy that comes from spending a summer weekend surrounded by fast cars and passionate race fans. Brainerd retains a character all its own: part national event, part race-fan reunion and part summer camp at speed.

Now, it is time to fire up the race cars.

As Pro Stock, Funny Car and Top Fuel thunder into the opening qualifying sessions, the energy changes. Conversations stop. Engines fire. The sound rolls across the property, and the ground begins to shake beneath thousands of fans who have waited all day for this moment. The summer sun may be beginning to set, but the action at Brainerd is just getting started.

Get ready to go fast.

Pro Stock Qualifying Session 1

Greg Stanfield Leads Opening Pro Stock Qualifying Session

Greg Stanfield opened Pro Stock qualifying at the NHRA Brainerd Nationals with a strong 6.590-second pass at 208.14 mph, earning the provisional No. 1 position after Friday’s first session.

Deric Kramer secured the No. 2 spot with a 6.599 at 206.89 mph, while Jerry Tucker’s 6.604 at 205.94 placed him third. Erica Enders and Chris Vang recorded identical 6.605-second elapsed times, with Enders taking the fourth position based on her faster 207.21-mph speed.

Aaron Stanfield followed with a 6.617, and Troy Coughlin Jr. ran 6.621. Mason McGaha and Dallas Glenn each posted 6.622-second runs, with McGaha’s 207.53-mph speed giving him the higher position.

Greg Anderson completed the provisional top 10 with a 6.626 at 206.57 mph.

Provisional Q1 order:

1. Greg Stanfield — 6.590, 208.14 mph
2. Deric Kramer — 6.599, 206.89 mph
3. Jerry Tucker — 6.604, 205.94 mph
4. Erica Enders — 6.605, 207.21 mph
5. Chris Vang — 6.605, 206.95 mph
6. Aaron Stanfield — 6.617, 205.85 mph
7. Troy Coughlin Jr. — 6.621, 207.69 mph
8. Mason McGaha — 6.622, 207.53 mph
9. Dallas Glenn — 6.622, 206.29 mph
10. Greg Anderson — 6.626, 206.57 mph
11. Eric Latino — 6.631, 206.73 mph
12. Jeg Coughlin Jr. — 6.632, 206.61 mph
13. Cody Anderson — 6.638, 205.44 mph
14. Kenny Delco — 6.642, 206.48 mph

Matt Latino, Matt Hartford, Alan Prusiensky and Joseph Wilczek did not record elapsed times during the opening session.

Funny Car Qualifying Session 1

Beckman leads opening Funny Car qualifying in Brainerd

The session began when Cruz Pedregon made a solo run and the car launched and engaged the clutch immediately, requiring him to masterfully control the car on the aborted launch and will return for Q2. 

Jack Beckman delivered the quickest run of Friday’s opening Funny Car qualifying session at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, powering to a 3.903-second pass at 324.67 mph to take the provisional No. 1 position.

Beckman’s clean run came alongside Ron Capps, whose car lost traction and slowed to a 5.184 at 146.54 mph.

Daniel Wilkerson was second quickest with a strong 3.942 at 319.52 mph, while Alexis DeJoria demonstrated her driving prowess during one of the session’s most dramatic runs. Racing alongside reigning world champion Austin Prock, DeJoria had to dirt-track steer her Funny Car to keep it under control, yet still reached the finish line in 3.969 seconds at a session-best 325.92 mph.

After three weekends away from the cockpit, DeJoria was thrilled to be back behind the wheel at a track where she won in 2017.

“I couldn’t wait to get back in the car,” DeJoria said. “The whole run felt like slow motion. Man, am I glad to be back here. I won in 2017.”

Prock was nearly alongside her throughout the run, recording a 3.971 at 322.42 mph.

Chad Green made a solo pass after Matt Hagan’s car was withdrawn from Q1 because of a fire-bottle issue discovered after it had been towed toward the staging lanes. Green’s early incremental numbers were as strong as anything seen during the session, and he completed the run with a 3.972 at 318.99 mph.

J.R. Todd also opened the weekend with a three-second pass, running 3.976 at 321.88 mph alongside Jordan Vandergriff. Vandergriff was on a competitive run before slowing slightly near the finish, recording a 4.035 at 265.38 mph.

Bobby Bode posted a 4.066 at 314.17 mph on a solo run after Jim Campbell was unable to make a pass. Spencer Hyde slowed to a 4.876 at 160.00 mph alongside Wilkerson, while Cruz Pedregon lost traction early and coasted to a 12.456.

Provisional top five after Q1

1. Jack Beckman — 3.903, 324.67 mph
2. Daniel Wilkerson — 3.942, 319.52
3. Alexis DeJoria — 3.969, 325.92
4. Austin Prock — 3.971, 322.42
5. Chad Green — 3.972, 318.99