NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

The track is fast, the crowd is epic, and U.S. 131 Motorsports Park is filled with true believers as NHRA races in Martin, Michigan, at the Dodge NHRA Great Lakes Nationals presented by MOPAR.

Following Friday’s historic opening runs, teams return Saturday ready to attack a cool, carefully prepared racing surface. Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars will bring the thunder, while Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle teams continue their battle for Sunday starting positions.

The pits are alive fans are packed along the fences and grandstands. For many, this is more than another race; it is the long-awaited return of NHRA national-event racing to Michigan.

Top Fuel and Funny Car—Q3 

Kalitta Rockets to 3.660 in Top Fuel Q3; Safety Safari Tends to Track During Funny Car

Top Fuel points leader Doug Kalitta delivered a massive performance during Saturday’s third qualifying session at the Dodge NHRA Great Lakes Nationals presented by MOPAR, powering to a 3.6606-second pass at 338.86 mph at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park.

Kalitta’s run was the quickest of the session, with teammate Shawn Langdon also making a strong pass of 3.7005 at 336.32 mph.

Will Smith recorded a 3.7063 at 335.32 mph, followed by Spencer Massey’s 3.7367 at 330.15 mph. Kyle Wurtzel ran 3.7399 at 334.08 mph, while Antron Brown was close behind with a 3.7407 at 331.86 mph.

Tony Schumacher posted a 3.8052 at 331.86 mph, while Josh Hart went 3.8606 before slowing to 240.77 mph.

Funny Car followed Top Fuel onto the track, with Hunter Green opening the completed action with a 3.9704 at 325.14 mph. Joey Haas crossed the finish line in 4.0719 seconds at 307.80 mph.

Following Green’s run, racing was temporarily paused while the Ram truck-equipped NHRA Simpson Safety Safari returned to the track to inspect and clean the racing surface.

The Safety Safari is working to complete the cleanup and return the track to racing condition as quickly and safely as possible. Funny Car Q3 will resume when the racing surface is ready.

Funny Car Q3 Notes: It’s “Zero or Hero” Time at U.S. 131

The traction is available, but teams must determine how aggressively they can use it.

Jack Beckman delivered the hero run of the session so far, charging to a 3.8616-second pass at 332.10 mph. In the opposite lane, Ron Capps lost traction early and slowed to an 8.4909 at 88.32 mph.

Matt Hagan also successfully navigated the conditions, recording a strong 3.9349 at 329.91 mph. Chad Green struck the tires and coasted through with an 11.7401 at 79.83 mph.

Dave Richards made it farther downtrack before slowing to a 4.9398 at 156.74 mph, while Jordan Vandergriff lost traction and finished with an 8.4293 at 77.59 mph.

The early results demonstrate both sides of the tuning challenge. The racing surface can clearly hold an aggressive setup, but there is little margin for error. For crew chiefs willing and able to take advantage of the available traction, the reward could be a massive run and a major move in the qualifying order.

Pro Stock Q3 Preview: Greg Anderson Says First Priority Is Getting Down the Track

With Pro Stock preparing to make its first runs of Saturday at the Dodge NHRA Great Lakes Nationals presented by MOPAR, the biggest question isn’t necessarily how quick the cars can go — it’s whether they can take advantage of a racing surface that has changed considerably throughout the day.

Greg Anderson stood near the starting line studying the track before Q3, and the six-time world champion believes the potential is there. But before anyone starts thinking about low elapsed time, they have to make a clean run.

“Let’s get the car to make it down,” Anderson said.

That will be especially important for the first few pairs, who will effectively provide the data that everyone behind them can use.

Anderson pointed to KB Titan Racing teammate Cody Anderson, who will be among the first cars to take a shot at the surface.  Cody Anderson shut off early during Friday qualifying, adding another layer of uncertainty as the team prepares for Q3.

“He’s a little nervous because he’s first pair, right?” Greg Anderson said. Cody shut off last night, so he knows how to handle the car if the conditions aren't up to the power.

For crew chiefs, those opening runs could reveal just how aggressive they can afford to be. The conditions appear capable of producing strong numbers, but after weather and track preparation changed the equation throughout Saturday, nobody knows exactly how much grip is available until a Pro Stock car puts power to it.

That makes the first pair particularly important. If the early cars hook up and accelerate cleanly, expect the crew chiefs behind them to start turning the knobs. If they struggle, the priority quickly becomes survival. Either way, Anderson’s approach is simple: Get one to the finish line first. Then find out just how fast this track is willing to let them go.

Pro Stock Q3 Preview: Glenn Happy to Have a Late Draw as Conditions Remain a Question

As Pro Stock prepares to take its first shot at the U.S. 131 Motorsports Park racing surface on Saturday, Dallas Glenn finds himself in exactly the position he wants to be: at the back of the pack.

With changing weather and uncertain track conditions creating plenty of questions ahead of Q3 at the Dodge NHRA Great Lakes Nationals presented by MOPAR, Glenn will run in the final pair, giving the championship contender an opportunity to watch the class ahead of him reveal what the track will take.

“The first thing I think about is I’m glad that I’m the last pair, so I get a really good idea what the track’s going to be like,” Glenn said. “It gives you a little bit of nerves because it could be very interesting up there with the track conditions.”

There was no hiding the uncertainty. As the Pro Stock teams made their way toward the staging lanes, Glenn could actually feel moisture in the air.

“When we’re towing up to the lanes and you feel water hitting you in the face, it’s usually not ideal for a Pro Stocker,” Glenn said.

For the first pair, it will be a leap into the unknown. For Glenn, every car that runs before him becomes another piece of information.

“If I was first pair, I’d be pretty worried,” he said. “By the time it gets to me, it’s either going to be OK, or it’ll be bad enough that they’ll have done something about it.”

And Glenn isn’t simply looking to make a safe trip down the quarter-mile.

He sees an opportunity.

“I’m just hoping we can go up there and kind of shake the ladder up a little bit,” Glenn said. “I really want that No. 1 spot.”

While teammate Greg Anderson was stationed near the starting line studying the action, Glenn remained with his car preparing for the run. Asked why Anderson could afford to watch while Glenn was still working, Glenn delivered a perfect Pro Stock answer.

“Greg doesn’t have to button up his clutch,” Glenn said. “I do.”

Now the work is nearly finished.

The first Pro Stock cars will answer the biggest question: How much traction is really available?

Glenn gets to watch them all before taking his shot — and if the racing surface is ready, he intends to use that information to make a run at No. 1.

Pro Stock Q3 Recap

Greg Stanfield made the best run of a challenging third Pro Stock qualifying session at the Dodge NHRA Great Lakes Nationals presented by MOPAR, covering the quarter-mile in 6.543 seconds at 208.24 mph. His earlier 6.534 remained his best run and kept him fifth in the qualifying order.

Jeg Coughlin Jr. was next quickest in Q3 with a 6.548 at a session-best 209.59 mph, followed by Greg Anderson’s 6.555 at 208.62. Troy Coughlin Jr. ran 6.561 at 208.43, Cody Anderson posted a 6.564 at 208.82, and Matt Hartford recorded a 6.565 at 208.62.

The conditions proved unforgiving for several leading contenders. Erica Enders and Matt Latino both shut off early, while Aaron Stanfield slowed to a 9.392. Dallas Glenn also lost traction and coasted to a 15.992 at 79.91 mph.

Hartford’s Friday run of 6.516 remained strong enough to secure the No. 1 qualifying position. Greg Anderson qualified second at 6.521, followed by Glenn at 6.529, Cody Anderson at 6.531 and Greg Stanfield at 6.534.

The completed qualifying order:

1. Matt Hartford — 6.516
2. Greg Anderson — 6.521
3. Dallas Glenn — 6.529
4. Cody Anderson — 6.531
5. Greg Stanfield — 6.534
6. Jeg Coughlin Jr. — 6.536
7. Matt Latino — 6.538
8. Erica Enders — 6.545
9. Troy Coughlin Jr. — 6.550
10. Eric Latino — 6.570
11. Kenny Delco — 6.590
12. Deric Kramer — 6.592
13. Aaron Stanfield — 6.602
14. Shane Tucker — 18.084

Pro Stock Q3 Preview: Gaige Herrera was taking in much more than just the numbers on the timing boards

Before making his Q3 run, Gaige Herrera said he was taking in much more than just the numbers on the timing boards. He was studying the racing surface, the wind and even the moisture in the air to build a picture of what he was about to face.

Q: What are you looking for when you're standing back here before a run like this?

Herrera: “For me personally, I walk the track and just look at it. I like to look at the whole groove and the track, the wind and everything. You can feel the moisture on you. You take it all in.”

Q: So you're basically collecting data?

Herrera: “Yeah, yeah. You're a data collector. I'm looking at what I need to do going down the track. Obviously, we've got a little bit of wind there, so you take that into consideration and just try to get yourself in the right mindset.”

Q: Do you know the other riders well enough that you can watch their runs and get a sense of what the conditions are like?

Herrera: “Oh yeah, for sure. I race with all of them all year long, so you kind of have an idea. You can gauge off them and see what kind of conditions are out there.”

After watching Marc Ingwersen make his run, Herrera said the elapsed time was in line with what he anticipated given Saturday's conditions.

Q: Is that about what you expected, or better than you expected?

Herrera: “For today, right now, with all the water in the air, that's about what I was expecting from Mark there.”

Pro Stock Motorcycle Q3 Recap

Pro Stock Motorcycle riders faced a tricky racing surface in Q3, with moisture in the air and changing conditions forcing riders and crew chiefs to closely evaluate what the track would hold.

Gaige Herrera made one of the strongest runs of the session, powering to a 6.779 at 199.38 mph. Herrera was strong early with a 1.0556 60-foot time and reached half-track in 4.3431 seconds at 162.87 mph.

Matt Smith was right alongside Herrera and was slightly quicker at the finish, recording a 6.8048 at 200.45 mph after a 1.0887 60-foot time. Smith's 200-mph run was particularly impressive given the conditions.

John Hall also put together a clean pass, running 6.7646 at 200.00 mph, making his run one of the quickest complete passes shown in the session. Clayton Howey followed with a solid 6.8781 at 195.06 mph, while Geno Scali recorded a 6.8942 at 196.16 mph.

The conditions caught several riders. Steve Johnson slowed to a 7.6913 at 146.58 mph, while Chase Van Sant ran 6.8745 at 187.97 mph. Mark Paquette and Ronald Procopio Jr. both encountered significant trouble and slowed dramatically.

Ryan Oehler produced the quickest run shown on the timing screen, charging to a 6.7241 at 200.98 mph. Richard Gadson, alongside him, slowed to an 8.559 at 109.49 mph.

Top Fuel Q4 Recap: Hart, Brown, Schumacher and Smith Unleash Big Runs in Michigan

Top Fuel crew chiefs went after the U.S. 131 Motorsports Park surface in Q4, and when the combinations held, the numbers were spectacular.

Josh Hart set the early standard, blasting to a 3.6714 at 329.19 mph after an excellent .8305 60-foot time. Hart was already moving 298.41 mph at the eighth-mile, putting a serious number on the board and establishing the target for the cars that followed.

Tony Schumacher answered with a tremendous 3.7299 at 338.86 mph, including a 3.0126 at 295.28 mph to half-track. The eight-time world champion's 338.86 mph charge was the fastest speed shown in the session.

Then came Antron Brown, who delivered one of the strongest complete runs of Q4. Brown went 3.6734 at 338.09 mph, just two-thousandths behind Hart's 3.6714 while producing another huge speed. His incremental numbers — .8394 at 60 feet, 2.1019 at 330 feet and 2.9587 at 297.62 mph to the eighth-mile — showed how hard Brown's car was accelerating through the middle of the racetrack.

Maddi Gordon was on a strong run alongside Brown before slowing on the back half, recording a 3.9235 at 243.37 mph.

The biggest statement late in the session came from Will Smith, who powered to a 3.7231 at 330.64 mph. Smith was exceptionally quick through the middle, reaching 330 feet in 2.1459 seconds and half-track in 2.9986 at 298.21 mph.

But Q4 also demonstrated just how narrow the window was.

Leah Pruett, Clay Millican, Spencer Massey, Kyle Wurtzel, Justin Ashley, Billy Torrence, Tony Stewart, Shawn Langdon and Doug Kalitta were among the drivers who didn't make representative full pulls. Kalitta, who had been strong throughout the weekend, slowed to a 7.3892, while Langdon shut off to a 9.1347.

The contrast told the story of the session: crew chiefs were swinging for the fences.

With a cool, exceptionally capable Michigan racing surface underneath them, conservative wasn't the objective. Hart's 3.6714, Brown's 3.6734, Smith's 3.7231 and Schumacher's 338.86-mph blast showed what was available when a crew chief found the window — while the aborted runs throughout the session showed the price of missing it.

For the teams that connected, Q4 provided exactly the kind of numbers everyone had been chasing all afternoon.

Funny Car Q4 Recap: 

Matt Hagan led a dramatic fourth Funny Car qualifying session at the Dodge NHRA Great Lakes Nationals presented by MOPAR, powering to a 3.886-second pass at 330.88 mph. Hagan’s run came alongside Chad Green, who lost traction and slowed to a 12.319.

Austin Prock was just behind Hagan with a strong 3.890 at 329.91 mph, while Jack Beckman struck the tires and coasted to an 8.385.

Alexis DeJoria and Ron Capps delivered the best side-by-side race of the session. DeJoria ran 3.898 at 333.09 mph to edge Capps’ 3.899 at a session-best 336.07 mph.

J.R. Todd made it down the track with a 4.193 at 224.22 mph but slowed before the finish. Spencer Hyde and Dan Wilkerson both encountered trouble, recording runs of 8.290 and 15.123, respectively. Jordan Vandergriff and Dave Richards also lost traction early and were unable to complete representative passes.

Funny Car Q4 leaders:

1. Matt Hagan — 3.886, 330.88 mph
2. Austin Prock — 3.890, 329.91
3. Alexis DeJoria — 3.898, 333.09
4. Ron Capps — 3.899, 336.07
5. J.R. Todd — 4.193, 224.22

Pro Stock Q4 Recap: 

Troy Coughlin Jr. led the fourth and final Pro Stock qualifying session with a 6.539-second run at 208.72 mph, edging teammate Jeg Coughlin Jr., who recorded a 6.544 at a session-best 209.89 mph in the strongest side-by-side pairing of Q4.

Greg Stanfield followed with a 6.550 at 208.24 mph, just ahead of Greg Anderson’s 6.551 at 208.04 and Eric Latino’s 6.553 at 208.33. Matt Latino ran 6.558 at 208.14, Cody Anderson posted a 6.561 at 207.28, and Kenny Delco completed a 6.580 at 205.76.

Deric Kramer made a clean 6.591-second pass at 207.66 mph, while Shane Tucker slowed late to a 6.807 at 160.54. Aaron Stanfield, Erica Enders, Matt Hartford, and Dallas Glenn were unable to complete representative runs.

The Coughlin brothers’ strong closing performances—and Jeg’s nearly 210-mph speed—provided valuable final-round data ahead of Sunday’s eliminations at the Dodge NHRA Great Lakes Nationals presented by MOPAR.

Pro Stock Motorcycle Q4 Preview: 

Matt Smith Uses Pro Stock Car as an Early Read on the Racetrack

For Matt Smith, preparing his Pro Stock Motorcycle for a run can start with watching what happens several hundred pounds and two additional wheels away.

With cool temperatures and a tricky racing surface at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park, Smith was paying close attention to the Pro Stock cars running ahead of him, looking for clues about what his motorcycle might encounter farther down the track.

“I’m just trying to make sure they’re not getting loose down there,” Smith said. “It’s pretty slick out there, and we have no downforce.”

Smith has enough experience watching the four-wheel category to understand what certain movements from a Pro Stock car can tell him about the available grip. The two classes put power to the racetrack very differently, so there isn’t a direct setup translation, but the cars can provide an early warning about changing conditions.

The key for Smith is watching what happens after the initial launch, particularly as the cars travel farther downtrack. If Pro Stock cars begin moving around or struggling to stay planted, it’s another piece of information Smith and his team can consider before sending the motorcycle into the same conditions.

That makes gathering information before the run even more valuable. On a day when the racing surface offers a narrow window, Smith is watching everything that goes down the track before him — even if it has four wheels instead of two.

Pro Stock Motorcycle Q4 Recap: 

Gaige Herrera closed Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying with the quickest run of Q4, powering to a 6.768 at 199.03 mph. The defending world champion separated himself from the field by more than three hundredths of a second as teams made their final preparations for Sunday eliminations.

John Hall was second quickest with a 6.803 at 195.23 mph, followed by Matt Smith, who ran 6.815 and posted the session’s fastest speed at 199.56 mph. Steve Johnson was close behind with a 6.816, while Chase Van Sant recorded a 6.819 at 199.29.

Clayton Howey posted a 6.891, and Geno Scali completed the final representative run with a 6.911. Ronald Procopio Jr. slowed to a 12.144, while Angie Smith was unable to complete her pass. Mark Paquette and Marc Ingwersen staged but did not record elapsed times.

Herrera’s emphatic 6.768 gave his team the strongest final-round data heading into race day at the Dodge NHRA Great Lakes Nationals presented by MOPAR.

Gaige Herrera closed Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying with the quickest run of Q4, powering to a 6.768 at 199.03 mph. The defending world champion separated himself from the field by more than three hundredths of a second as teams made their final preparations for Sunday eliminations.

John Hall was second quickest with a 6.803 at 195.23 mph, followed by Matt Smith, who ran 6.815 and posted the session’s fastest speed at 199.56 mph. Steve Johnson was close behind with a 6.816, while Chase Van Sant recorded a 6.819 at 199.29.

Clayton Howey posted a 6.891, and Geno Scali completed the final representative run with a 6.911. Ronald Procopio Jr. slowed to a 12.144, while Angie Smith was unable to complete her pass. Mark Paquette and Marc Ingwersen staged but did not record elapsed times.

Herrera’s emphatic 6.768 gave his team the strongest final-round data heading into race day at the Dodge NHRA Great Lakes Nationals presented by MOPAR.