NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

The four-wide chaos is settling in - and just getting started - at zMAX Dragway, where Friday’s opening runs at the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals delivered early statements and set the stage for a pivotal Saturday. 

Under the lights, drivers took their best shots in what many call “hero runs,” with several heavy hitters already flexing their strength across all four professional categories. Now, as conditions and pressure shift heading into day two of qualifying, the focus turns to who can back it up, who can rebound, and who can position themselves for a strong push into eliminations.

Friday night showcased what some call the “hero runs,” with standout passes from Matt Smith in Pro Stock Motorcycle, Greg Anderson in Pro Stock, Ron Capps in Funny Car and Shawn Langdon in Top Fuel.

Langdon rose to the top of the sheet early and, after round two of qualifying, held onto his provisional pole with a 3.674 as the conditions cooled and the Kalitta Airs Top Fuel dragster was in the last quad to race down the track.

Familiar rival Leah Pruett continues her strong comeback, holding the No. 2 position and splitting the Kalitta teammates, while Doug Kalitta also earns bonus points. Dan Mercier is currently on the bump spot, with Scott Farley and Keith Murt trailing outside the cutoff. They aim to improve on Saturday, as everyone hopes the chance of rain decreases.

Capps is looking like an early championship contender, climbing from No. 4 to the provisional No. 1 spot after round two of qualifying with a 3.883. Since adding Maddi Gordon's Top Fuel team, Ron Capps Motorsports has not slowed down, as the California native continues to demonstrate his ability to juggle multiple roles.

Jordan Vandergriff continues to look comfortable in a Funny Car, holding the provisional No. 2 spot, followed by 1,000th Funny Car winner Matt Hagan. The field might still see some changes, especially with reigning champion Austin Prock currently in the No. 16 position.

Pro Stock’s Anderson dominated with a 6.498 and maintained the top spot after two sessions. While he usually seeks more from his Camaro, he was pleased with its performance.

Glenn is following his teammate in the provisional No. 2 position, but it’s Matt Latino in No. 3 and then father-son duo Aaron and Greg Stanfield who round out the top five.

Taking advantage of the new RPM rule that raises the engine speed limit to 11,000 rpm for Ford and Dodge-powered entries, Brandon Miller and Alan Prusiensky, both running Dodge Pro Stock cars, are also competing.

Shockingly, Cody Coughlin is qualified No. 20th after he’s made two final round appearances this year - the Gatornationals and Arizona Nationals (he did not race at the Winternationals).

Smith set a blazing speed of 203.09 and an e.t. of 6.739. He is currently tied with Angelle Sampey and Don Prudhomme for the top qualifying spot at 59. However, if he maintains this position beyond Saturday, he will overtake both of them with this milestone. Additionally, the hometown racer has the most wins among active Pro Stock Motorcycle riders at zMax Dragway.

Testing after the Gatornationals benefited Ryan Oehler and his teammate Brayden Davis. They demonstrated strong potential right from the first qualifying round.

The day will also feature the third Mission #2Fast2Tasty race of the season, which will rematch the quarterfinalists and semifinalists in Top Fuel, nitro Funny Car and Pro Stock from the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals and the quarterfinalists and semifinalists in Pro Stock Motorcycle from the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals. The winners of the initial pairing will then square off for points and bonus money.

Top Fuel
Tony Stewart vs. Shawn Langdon vs. Josh Hart vs. Billy Torrence
Justin Ashley vs. Doug Kalitta vs. Leah Pruett vs. Clay Millican
 
Funny Car
Matt Hagan vs. Dan Wilkerson (replacing Jason Rupert) vs. J.R. Todd vs. Jack Beckman
Ron Capps vs. Alexis DeJoria vs. Jordan Vandergriff vs. Chad Green

Pro Stock
Greg Anderson vs. Greg Stanfield vs. Jeg Coughlin Jr. vs Matt Latino
Dallas Glenn vs. Aaron Stanfield (replacing Dave Connolly) vs. Erica Enders vs. Eric Latino
 
Pro Stock Motorcycle
Richard Gadson vs. Clayton Howey vs. Chase Van Sant vs. Matt Smith
John Hall vs. Steve Johnson vs. Angie Smith vs. Gaige Herrera

2025 EVENT WINNERS: Shawn Langdon, Top Fuel; Austin Prock, Funny Car; Dallas Glenn, Pro Stock; Matt Smith, Pro Stock Motorcycle.

MOST EVENT VICTORIES: (current drivers) Antron Brown, 2, TF, Shawn Langdon, 2, TF; Ron Capps, 2, FC, Matt Hagan, 2, FC, Jack
Beckman, 2, FC; Greg Anderson, 3, PS; Gaige Herrera, 2, PSM; Steve Johnson, 2 PSM, Matt Smith, 2, PSM.

SCHEDULE

SATURDAY, April 25
NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series eliminations at 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Top Alcohol qualifying at 11:15 a.m. and 1:50 p.m., eliminations 4:40 p.m.
Pro Mod qualifying at 11:55 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Factory Stock Showdown qualifying at 11:45 a.m. and 2:20 p.m., eliminations 5:15 p.m.
NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying at 12:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

SUNDAY, April 26
NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series eliminations begin at noon

TELEVISION

Sunday, April 26, FOX Sports 1 (FS1), will televise one hour of qualifying coverage at 11:00 a.m. ET
Sunday, April 27, FOX Sports 1 (FS1) will televise three hours of finals coverage at 7:00 p.m. ET

TRACK RECORDS

Top Fuel - 3.646 seconds by Doug Kalitta, April '25; 341.59 mph by Brittany Force, April '25.
Funny Car - 3.820 seconds by John Force, April. '24; 338.34 mph by Bob Tasca III, April '24.
Pro Stock - 6.455 seconds by Jason Line, Mar. '15; 215.48 mph by Greg Anderson, Mar. '15.
Pro Stock Motorcycle - 6.671 seconds by Gaige Herrera, April '24; 203.49 mph by Eddie Krawiec, May '21.

NATIONAL RECORDS

Top Fuel - 3.623 sec. by Brittany Force, Sept. ‘19, Reading, Pa.; 343.51 mph by B. Force, Sept. ‘25, Indy
Funny Car - 3.793 sec. by Robert Hight, Aug. '17, Brainerd, Minn.; 341.68 mph by Austin Prock, Nov. ’24, Pomona, Calif.
Pro Stock - 6.443 sec. by Greg Anderson, Mar. ’25, Gainesville, Fla.; 215.55 mph by Erica Enders, May ’14, Englishtown N.J.
Pro Stock Motorcycle - 6.627 sec. by Gaige Herrera, Oct. ‘23, Dallas; 205.04 mph by Matt Smith, July ‘21, Sonoma, Calif.