NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Top Fuel Round 1: Favorites Advance, Upsets Loom as Epping Delivers Early Drama

The opening round of Top Fuel eliminations at the NHRA New England Nationals presented by bproauto featured a mix of dominant performances, tire-smoking struggles, and a few bracket-shaking surprises as the championship contenders began their march toward Sunday glory.

Points leader and No. 1 qualifier Shawn Langdon advanced without making a full pass after receiving a bye run. Langdon encountered tire smoke early and clicked the car off to a 6.607-second run, preserving parts and lane choice for the quarterfinals.

The biggest upset of the round came when No. 9 qualifier Clay Millican knocked off No. 8 qualifier Justin Ashley. Millican powered to a strong 4.441-second run at 265.06 mph while Ashley lost traction almost immediately, pedaled the car, and crossed the centerline. Millican’s victory sets up a marquee second-round showdown with Langdon.

Doug Kalitta continued the impressive pace shown by the Kalitta Motorsports camp, dispatching Will Smith with a clean 3.747-second pass at 333.16 mph. Smith smoked the tires early, allowing Kalitta to cruise into the quarterfinals.

No. 10 qualifier Maddi Gordon scored her first-round victory over veteran Tony Stewart, delivering her quickest run of the weekend with a 3.753 at 337.50 mph. Stewart encountered tire smoke near mid-track and was forced to pedal, while Gordon stayed planted to earn a semifinal-round matchup with Leah Pruett.

Speaking of Leah Pruett, the No. 2 qualifier turned in one of the strongest performances of the session, defeating Scott Farley with a 3.776-second run at 331.45 mph. Farley dropped cylinders shortly after launch, while Pruett capitalized on a starting-line advantage and never looked back.

No. 3 qualifier Josh Hart continued his recent round-win success by defeating Rit Pustari. Hart’s 3.872-second pass at 330.47 mph was enough after Pustari lost traction immediately and clicked the engine off.

One of the closest races of the round belonged to Antron Brown, who used a .049 reaction time to narrowly defeat Shawn Reed. Brown’s 3.828-second pass edged Reed’s quicker 3.817-second run by just .0481 seconds at the stripe, proving once again why the four-time world champion remains one of the toughest competitors in the sport.

Closing out the round, Billy Torrence advanced past Tony Schumacher after Schumacher encountered tire smoke. Torrence remained steady with a 3.940 at 276.35 mph and earned a quarterfinal meeting with Hart.

Quarterfinal Matchups

• Shawn Langdon vs. Clay Millican
• Doug Kalitta vs. Antron Brown
• Leah Pruett vs. Maddi Gordon
• Josh Hart vs. Billy Torrence

With Langdon, Kalitta, Pruett, Brown, and Hart all still alive, the championship heavyweights remain in contention, but Gordon and Millican have already proven that Sunday at New England Dragway may be anything but predictable.

Funny Car Round 1: DeJoria, Beckman, Todd, and Vandergriff Lead JFR Charge into Quarterfinals

The opening round of Funny Car eliminations at the NHRA New England Nationals presented by bproauto delivered everything fans have come to expect from the ultra-competitive category: holeshots, tire smoke, upset victories, and a strong statement from the powerhouse teams chasing the Mission Foods championship.

The biggest story of the round may have been the continued strength of John Force Racing, which advanced all three of its entries into the quarterfinals. No. 1 qualifier Jordan Vandergriff led the charge with a solid 3.947-second run at 326.24 mph to defeat Jeff Arend. Arend made a competitive pass at 4.104 seconds, but Vandergriff's quicker machine gave him a comfortable margin of victory.

Joining Vandergriff in the second round were teammates Jack Beckman and Alexis DeJoria. Beckman continued his recent hot streak, powering past Phil Burkart with a 3.970 at 323.58 mph after Burkart lost traction almost immediately and coasted to a 12.368-second effort.

DeJoria also turned in a strong run, stopping veteran Cruz Pedregon with a 3.998-second pass at 326.40 mph. Pedregon left first but could not match DeJoria's performance as the Bandero Café Funny Car advanced to the final eight.

Former world champion J.R. Todd delivered one of the quickest runs of the opening session, driving to a 3.919-second blast at 331.45 mph to eliminate Spencer Hyde, whose machine lost traction and slowed to a 7.216.

The upset of the round belonged to Blake Alexander, who knocked off defending world champion Austin Prock. Alexander's 4.188-second run was enough after Prock's Cornwell Tools Chevrolet lost traction and slowed to a 4.466. The victory sends Alexander into a quarterfinal showdown with Todd.

Veteran Ron Capps also advanced after Daniel Wilkerson encountered severe tire smoke. Capps posted a strong 3.948-second run at 324.05 mph and will face Beckman in one of the most anticipated second-round matchups.

Chad Green moved into the quarterfinals with a 3.951-second pass at 319.07 mph after Dave Richards was unable to make the call, setting up a battle with DeJoria.

The wildest race of the round came in the opening pairing when Matt Hagan defeated Del Worsham despite posting a 9.501-second elapsed time. Worsham left too soon and was disqualified for a red-light start, allowing Hagan to advance despite losing traction and shutting the car off early.

Quarterfinal Matchups

• Chad Green vs. Jordan Vandergriff
• J.R. Todd vs. Blake Alexander
• Jack Beckman vs. Matt Hagan
• Alexis DeJoria vs. Ron Capps

With all three John Force Racing entries still in contention, Todd and Capps showing championship-caliber pace, and Alexander already delivering the upset of the day, the Funny Car title chase in Epping is heating up as eliminations move into the critical quarterfinal round.

Pro Stock Round 1: KB Titan Flexes Its Muscle as Anderson and Glenn Advance in Epping

If there was any question whether KB Titan Racing would continue its dominance on race day at the NHRA New England Nationals presented by bproauto, the opening round of eliminations provided a clear answer.

The powerhouse operation placed both championship contenders, Greg Anderson and Dallas Glenn, into the quarterfinals, while a host of challengers fought through razor-thin margins in one of the closest Pro Stock rounds of the season.

No. 1 qualifier Dallas Glenn survived one of the tightest races of the round, edging Shane Tucker by just .0133-second. Glenn's 6.567-second pass at 209.75 mph narrowly covered Tucker's 6.579-second effort in a side-by-side battle that showcased the category's remarkable parity.

Championship leader Greg Anderson advanced via a bye run but wasted no opportunity to show his hand, posting a strong 6.546-second run at 209.36 mph. Anderson's elapsed time was the quickest pass of the opening round and sends a message to the rest of the field that the six-time world champion remains the man to beat on Sunday.

The closest race of the round belonged to Jeg Coughlin Jr., who defeated Aaron Stanfield by a scant .0055-second. Stanfield left first with an excellent .011 reaction time, but Coughlin's 6.565-second pass combined with a .028 light was enough to steal the win at the finish line in a classic Pro Stock drag race.

Matt Hartford also survived a thriller, defeating Deric Kramer by just .0137-second. Hartford's 6.548 at 210.28 mph narrowly topped Kramer's nearly identical 6.556-second run in another matchup decided by thousandths.

Elite Motorsports veteran Erica Enders continued her march through the field with a clean victory over Troy Coughlin Jr. Enders posted a 6.556-second run at 209.36 mph to earn a quarterfinal meeting with Anderson in what could become one of the pivotal races of the event.

Elsewhere, Greg Stanfield took advantage of trouble for Cody Anderson, driving to a 6.562-second pass while Anderson slowed dramatically after mid-track issues. Stanfield's reward is a quarterfinal matchup against Hartford.

The Latinos also enjoyed a productive first round. Eric Latino defeated Kenny Delco with a 6.572-second pass, while Matt Latino advanced past Brandon Miller after Miller surrendered any chance at the starting line with a .224 reaction time. Matt Latino's 6.564-second effort was among the strongest runs of the session.

Quarterfinal Matchups

• Greg Anderson vs. Jeg Coughlin Jr
• Dallas Glenn vs. Erica Enders
• Matt Latino vs. Greg Stanfield
• Matt Hartford vs. Eric Latino

As eliminations move into the second round, the sport's biggest names remain firmly in contention. Anderson and Glenn continue to carry the KB Titan banner, while Enders, Hartford, and Coughlin stand ready to challenge their supremacy in what is shaping up to be a classic New England showdown.

Top Fuel Round 2: Kalitta and Langdon Set Up Heavyweight Semifinal Clash

The Top Fuel field continued to tighten Sunday at the NHRA New England Nationals presented by bproauto as four of the sport's toughest competitors survived a challenging second round to advance into the semifinals at New England Dragway.

Championship leader and No. 1 qualifier Shawn Langdon continued his march through eliminations with a convincing victory over Clay Millican. Langdon used a strong .040 reaction time and never trailed, powering to a 3.775-second run at 332.92 mph. Millican, fresh off his first-round upset of Justin Ashley, drifted out of the groove and was forced to click the car off early, slowing to a 4.033-second pass. The victory sends Langdon to his third semifinal appearance of the season and keeps the points leader firmly in control of his championship destiny.

The closest race of the round belonged to veteran Billy Torrence, who scored a holeshot victory over Josh Hart in a race decided by just .0155-second at the finish line. Torrence's stellar .036 reaction time proved decisive as his 3.861-second run at 331.04 mph narrowly covered Hart's quicker 3.856-second effort. The margin equated to roughly eight feet at the stripe and continued Torrence's perfect record against Hart in prior eliminations meetings.

On the opposite side of the ladder, Leah Pruett survived a wild matchup against rookie sensation Maddi Gordon. Gordon grabbed the starting-line advantage but immediately encountered tire smoke. Pruett then experienced problems of her own and was forced to pedal the car, but managed to regain traction and race to a 4.696-second pass at 200.08 mph. Gordon was unable to recover after getting back on the throttle, allowing Pruett to advance into her first semifinal appearance of the season.

The marquee matchup of the round featured two former world champions, and it was Doug Kalitta who emerged victorious over Antron Brown. Kalitta gained a slight starting-line advantage and never relinquished control, posting a stout 3.762-second run at 330.23 mph to defeat Brown's 3.808 at 329.58 mph. The victory improves Kalitta's already impressive record against Brown and sets up a blockbuster semifinal showdown with Langdon.

Semifinal Matchups

• Shawn Langdon vs. Doug Kalitta
• Leah Pruett vs. Billy Torrence

With Langdon and Kalitta representing the dominant Kalitta Motorsports operation and Pruett and Torrence looking to play spoiler, the stage is set for a pair of compelling semifinal battles. The Langdon-Kalitta matchup, in particular, carries major championship implications as two of the category's strongest performers square off for a spot in the final round.

Funny Car Round 2: Vandergriff Leads John Force Racing Charge into Semifinals

The Funny Car quarterfinals at the NHRA New England Nationals presented by bproauto delivered four outstanding side-by-side races Sunday afternoon at New England Dragway, setting the stage for a semifinal field packed with championship pedigree and rising stars.

No. 1 qualifier Jordan Vandergriff continued his impressive weekend, defeating Chad Green in a matchup between two of the category's quickest cars. Both drivers left with identical .057 reaction times, but Vandergriff's 3.942-second pass at 324.51 mph proved just enough to hold off Green's 3.975 at 322.42 mph. The victory extends Vandergriff's remarkable weekend and keeps the John Force Racing driver on track for his second NHRA national event victory.

Veteran teammate Jack Beckman joined Vandergriff in the semifinals after turning in one of the strongest performances of the round. Beckman powered to a 3.943-second run at 324.75 mph to defeat Matt Hagan's 4.020-second effort. Although Hagan left first, Beckman's superior elapsed time quickly erased the deficit as the two-time New England winner advanced to another semifinal appearance.

The closest race of the round came in a showdown between former world champions Ron Capps and Alexis DeJoria. Capps used a slight starting-line advantage and every inch of racetrack to edge DeJoria by a razor-thin .0018-second margin. At the finish line, Capps' 3.938-second run at 327.11 mph narrowly covered DeJoria's 3.953 at 328.54 mph in one of the most thrilling side-by-side Funny Car races of the season.

On the opposite side of the ladder, J.R. Todd continued his strong race-day performance by defeating upset-minded Blake Alexander. Todd's DHL Toyota posted a solid 3.975-second pass at 331.53 mph to dispatch Alexander's 4.109-second effort and secure a place in the final four.

Semifinal Matchups

• Jordan Vandergriff vs. Ron Capps
• Jack Beckman vs. J.R. Todd

The semifinal lineup represents a compelling blend of youth and experience. Vandergriff seeks to continue a breakthrough weekend from the No. 1 position, while Beckman gives John Force Racing two cars in the final four. Standing in their way are two former world champions in Capps and Todd, both of whom have a history of thriving under pressure on race day.

With four proven contenders separated by mere hundredths of a second throughout eliminations, the battle for the Wally in Epping is far from settled.

Pro Stock Round 2: Anderson, Glenn Continue KB Titan March into Semifinals

The Pro Stock quarterfinals at the NHRA New England Nationals presented by bproauto delivered exactly what fans have come to expect from the factory hot rod category: razor-thin margins, near-perfect reaction times, and another impressive display from the dominant KB Titan Racing stable.

When the dust settled, championship contenders Greg Anderson and Dallas Glenn were both still standing, setting up the possibility of an all-KB Titan final round if they can survive one more round on Sunday afternoon.

The closest race of the quarterfinals belonged to Greg Stanfield, who edged Matt Latino in a classic Pro Stock battle decided by just .0073-second. Stanfield combined a .029 reaction time with a 6.570-second run at 209.82 mph to narrowly hold off Latino's 6.588-second effort. The margin at the stripe was only a few feet and earned Stanfield a semifinal date with Glenn.

On the opposite side of the ladder, Dallas Glenn scored one of the biggest victories of the day, defeating six-time world champion Erica Enders in a battle between title contenders. The pair left virtually together, but Glenn's quicker 6.562-second run at 209.62 mph proved enough to cover Enders' 6.581-second effort. The margin of victory was .0212-second as Glenn continued his pursuit of another NHRA national event victory.

Matt Hartford advanced after Eric Latino fouled at the starting line with a red-light reaction time. Hartford made the most of the opportunity, posting a competitive 6.587-second run at 209.56 mph to move into the semifinals and keep his hopes alive for a second victory of the season.

Meanwhile, Greg Anderson continued to look every bit the championship leader. After receiving a bye run in the opening round, Anderson delivered the quickest pass of the quarterfinals with a 6.546-second blast at 209.75 mph. His opponent, Jeg Coughlin Jr., left before the Christmas Tree activated and was immediately disqualified, allowing Anderson to advance comfortably into the final four.

Semifinal Matchups

• Greg Anderson vs. Dallas Glenn
• Matt Hartford vs. Greg Stanfield

The semifinal round now features three KB Titan-powered entries and one of the category's toughest independent challengers in Hartford. Anderson and Glenn have been the class of the field all season, but one can battle for the New England Nationals Wally.

With Anderson posting the quickest elapsed time of the round and Glenn eliminating one of the sport's greatest champions, the KB Titan duo remains firmly on course for another statement-making Sunday in Epping.

Top Fuel Semifinals: Langdon and Pruett Advance to New England Nationals Final

The Top Fuel semifinals at the NHRA New England Nationals presented by bproauto delivered two outstanding races Sunday afternoon, setting up a final-round showdown between championship contenders Shawn Langdon and Leah Pruett at New England Dragway.

The marquee matchup of the round featured Kalitta Motorsports teammates Shawn Langdon and Doug Kalitta, who entered eliminations as two of the strongest cars in the field. In a race decided by just .0496-second, Langdon delivered when it mattered most.

The points leader left first with a .047 reaction time and powered to a stout 3.755-second run at 336.74 mph. Kalitta was right beside him with a competitive 3.796-second effort, but Langdon's starting-line advantage and slightly quicker elapsed time were enough to secure the victory. The win sends Langdon to his fourth final round of the season and keeps his championship momentum rolling.

On the opposite side of the ladder, Leah Pruett continued an impressive race-day charge by defeating Billy Torrence in another close contest. Torrence gained an early advantage with a strong .042 reaction time, but Pruett's car delivered superior performance down track, posting a 3.770-second run at 331.28 mph to overtake Torrence's 3.826-second effort. The margin of victory was .0267-second at the finish line.

The victory marks Pruett's first final-round appearance of the season and caps an impressive comeback after surviving a tire-smoking battle with Maddi Gordon in the quarterfinals.

Final Round Matchup

• Shawn Langdon vs. Leah Pruett

Langdon arrives with the quickest run of the semifinal round and the confidence of a driver leading the championship standings, while Pruett has steadily improved throughout eliminations and now has an opportunity to secure one of the biggest victories of her comeback season.

With both drivers running consistently in the 3.70-second zone and lane choice potentially playing a critical role, the New England Nationals Top Fuel final promises to be a fitting conclusion to an outstanding day of racing in Epping.

Funny Car Semifinals: Jordan Vandergriff and Jack Beckman Deliver All-JFR Final in Epping

The Funny Car semifinals at the NHRA New England Nationals presented by bproauto showcased the strength of John Force Racing, as Jordan Vandergriff and Jack Beckman both scored impressive victories to set up an all-JFR final round at New England Dragway.

For Vandergriff, the appearance marks a huge final-round opportunity of his young Funny Car career. For Beckman, it represents another chance to add to an already remarkable résumé. Together, they ensured the Funny Car trophy will remain inside the John Force Racing camp.

On one side of the ladder, No. 1 qualifier Jordan Vandergriff continued his breakthrough weekend by defeating former world champion J.R. Todd. Vandergriff posted a strong 3.982-second run at 316.52 mph while Todd encountered immediate problems and slowed dramatically to a 6.964-second pass. Vandergriff never trailed in the race and cruised into the final round, becoming the first No. 1 qualifier to advance through all three rounds of eliminations on Sunday.

The second semifinal produced one of the best side-by-side races of the day as Jack Beckman squared off with Ron Capps. Beckman used a slight starting-line advantage and followed it with an outstanding 3.904-second run at 329.75 mph, the quickest pass of the semifinal round. Capps stayed within striking distance with a strong 3.943 at 325.37 mph, but Beckman's combination of reaction time and elapsed time delivered a .0418-second margin of victory.

The win gives Beckman his third consecutive elimination-round victory on Sunday and continues a remarkable stretch for the veteran driver, who has become one of the category's most consistent performers.

Final Round Matchup

• Jordan Vandergriff vs. Jack Beckman

The final round guarantees a John Force Racing victory, but the storyline could not be more compelling. Vandergriff, the No. 1 qualifier, seeks the biggest weekend of his young Funny Car career, with a number one qualifier, a Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty win and a Wally would be an exclamation point on a dominant weekend. Beckman, meanwhile, enters the final as the quickest driver of the semifinal round and carries the momentum of a veteran who knows how to close on race day.

One thing is certain: when the Funny Cars roll to the starting line for the final round in Epping, John Force Racing will be racing itself for the Wally.

Pro Stock Semifinals: Hartford Upsets Stanfield, Glenn Knocks Off Anderson in Instant Classic

The Pro Stock semifinals at the NHRA New England Nationals presented by bproauto delivered two spectacular races Sunday afternoon, including a championship-caliber showdown between KB Titan teammates Dallas Glenn and Greg Anderson that came down to thousandths of a second.

The first semifinal featured Matt Hartford and Greg Stanfield in a matchup between two veteran racers looking to punch their ticket to the final round. Hartford was equal to the task, using a 6.540-second pass at 209.88 mph to narrowly defeat Stanfield's 6.555-second effort. Although Stanfield left first with a .028 reaction time, Hartford's quicker elapsed time erased the deficit and produced a razor-thin .0077-second margin of victory at the finish line.

The second semifinal was everything fans could have hoped for as KB Titan teammates Dallas Glenn and Greg Anderson squared off in a battle between the category's top two performers. Glenn delivered a nearly perfect .011 reaction time and never surrendered the advantage, racing to a 6.556-second pass at 209.49 mph. Anderson countered with a strong 6.548 at 209.30 mph, but Glenn's starting-line advantage proved decisive as he secured the victory by just .0206-second.

The win sends Glenn to yet another final-round appearance and denies Anderson a chance to add another New England Nationals title to his already legendary résumé.

Final Round Matchup

• Dallas Glenn vs. Matt Hartford

The championship contenders have traded blows all season long, but in Epping it will be Glenn and Hartford battling for the Wally. Glenn arrives in the final after defeating Anderson in one of the best races of the day, while Hartford earned his place by surviving a pair of close contests and proving once again that he remains one of the toughest independent threats in the category.

With both drivers running in the mid-6.50s and reaction times likely to determine the outcome, the Pro Stock final promises to be a fitting conclusion to a thrilling weekend at New England Dragway.

Pro Stock Final: Dallas Glenn Captures New England Nationals Title in Epping

Dallas Glenn continued his remarkable 2026 season on Sunday at the NHRA New England Nationals presented by bproauto, defeating Matt Hartford in the Pro Stock final to earn his third victory of the season and the 24th national event win of his career.

The final round featured two of the category's toughest competitors, but Glenn gained the decisive advantage at the starting line with a nearly perfect .002 reaction time. Hartford responded with a solid .021 light and a competitive 6.550-second run at 209.92 mph, but Glenn's starting-line advantage proved too much to overcome.

Behind the wheel of his RAD Torque Systems-backed KB Titan Racing Chevrolet, Glenn powered to a 6.543-second pass at 209.39 mph, never trailing on the racetrack and securing the victory by .0267-second, approximately eight feet at the finish line.

The victory caps another dominant weekend for Glenn and the KB Titan Racing team, which once again placed both Glenn and championship rival Greg Anderson deep into eliminations. Glenn's path to victory included wins over Shane Tucker, six-time world champion Erica Enders, and teammate Greg Anderson before defeating Hartford in the final.

For Hartford, the runner-up finish capped an impressive race-day performance that included victories over Deric Kramer, Eric Latino, and Greg Stanfield. Despite falling just short in the final round, Hartford continued to demonstrate why he remains one of the strongest independent challengers in the Pro Stock category.

Weather Delay Impacts Remaining Finals

While the Pro Stock final has been completed, weather has moved into the Epping area, placing the remainder of the event on hold. NHRA officials are currently monitoring conditions and evaluating the schedule to determine when the Top Fuel and Funny Car final rounds will be contested.

Fans are encouraged to follow NHRA's official channels for updates regarding the completion of the New England Nationals as officials work through the weather delay and assess track conditions.

For now, one thing is certain: Dallas Glenn leaves New England Dragway with another Wally trophy and a significant boost in his pursuit of the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Pro Stock championship.