Friday News and Notes from the NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals

Weather perfection greets NHRA pros for opening qualifying session in St. Louis

Under a pale blue October sky and nearly picture-perfect conditions, the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series is ready to open professional qualifying at World Wide Technology Raceway for the NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals.

The third of six races in the Mission Foods NHRA Countdown to the Championship has reached its first major test of the weekend, with Pro Stock Motorcycle, Pro Stock, Funny Car and Top Fuel preparing to make their first qualifying runs on a fast St. Louis racing surface.

Pro Stock Motorcycle will lead the professional categories onto the track, with reigning world champion and current points leader Richard Gadson looking to continue the momentum from his victory last weekend in Rockingham. Gaige Herrera, Matt Smith, John Hall and the rest of the two-wheel contingent will be looking to establish an early benchmark before conditions change for tonight’s second session. Herrera has been particularly formidable at World Wide Technology Raceway, winning the event each of the last three years.

Pro Stock follows with one of the tightest championship fights in the Mission Foods Series. Greg Stanfield arrives as the points leader following his Rockingham victory, but Matt Hartford, Dallas Glenn and defending St. Louis winner Greg Anderson are all within 66 points of the lead. Erica Enders, Jeg Coughlin Jr., Troy Coughlin Jr. and rookie Cody Anderson add even more depth to a field where every qualifying bonus point could matter.

Then comes nitro.

Funny Car points leader Matt Hagan rolls into St. Louis riding four consecutive final-round appearances and a victory last weekend at Rockingham. Hagan also happens to be the defending winner here, but Jordan Vandergriff, J.R. Todd, Ron Capps, Jack Beckman and reigning world champion Austin Prock are among those looking to close the gap as the Countdown reaches its halfway point.

Top Fuel closes the opening professional session with Shawn Langdon carrying one of the hottest streaks in recent NHRA history. Langdon has won three consecutive events, including the first two races of the Countdown, and leads Kalitta Motorsports teammate Doug Kalitta by 25 points. Kalitta, however, returns to a track where he has won five times and was both the No. 1 qualifier and event winner one year ago.

Q1 represents the first opportunity to get safely into the field, but Friday's biggest swings may still be ahead.

The professional categories return tonight for a second session under the lights, when cooler conditions could produce some of the quickest and fastest runs of the weekend — and $7,500 in bonus money will be on the line in the inaugural UsedHotdogs.com “Top Dog” competition.

Angie Smith leads tight Pro Stock Motorcycle field after opening qualifying session

MADISON, Ill. — Angie Smith fired the first big shot of Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying Friday at the NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals, riding to a 6.730-second pass at 199.61 mph to take the provisional No. 1 position after Q1 at World Wide Technology Raceway.

Under a pale blue sky and nearly ideal early-October conditions, Smith narrowly edged Ryan Oehler in an exceptionally tight opening session. Oehler, coming off his first career No. 1 qualifier in Michigan, ran 6.733 at 199.55 mph, just three-thousandths of a second behind Smith.

Reigning world champion Richard Gadson opened with a strong 6.755 at 199.79 mph to claim the No. 3 position, followed by Joey Gladstone’s 6.762 at 198.50. Matt Smith rounded out the early top five with a 6.771 at 200.47 mph.

The opening session produced considerable parity at the front of the field, with the top five riders separated by just .041-second and the top eight all running in the 6.70s.

Steve Johnson sits sixth after a 6.788 at 196.10 mph, followed closely by Gaige Herrera, who opened his weekend with a 6.791 at 196.16. Chase Van Sant’s 6.797 at 195.79 completed the group of riders in the 6.70-second range.

John Hall produced the fastest speed of Q1, reaching 200.50 mph during his 6.828-second run, just edging Matt Smith’s 200.47 mph for top speed of the session.

With one qualifying session complete, the Pro Stock Motorcycle field will return later Friday with cooler conditions offering an opportunity to reshuffle the order.

Pro Stock Motorcycle — Q1 order

Greg Anderson leads blistering Pro Stock Q1 in St. Louis

MADISON, Ill. — Greg Anderson came out swinging in the opening round of Pro Stock qualifying at the NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals, powering to a 6.482-second pass at 209.92 mph to take the provisional No. 1 position Friday at World Wide Technology Raceway.

With near-perfect weather conditions greeting the Pro Stock field, Anderson made the most of the opportunity. His .962 60-foot time was also the quickest of the session as the veteran immediately established the number everyone else will chase heading into Friday evening.

Greg Stanfield came closest, closing the session with an impressive 6.495 at 210.31 mph to move into the No. 2 position. Troy Coughlin Jr. was only three-thousandths behind Stanfield with a 6.498 at 210.64 mph, giving the opening session three cars in the 6.40s.

Matt Hartford landed fourth with a 6.500 at 209.39 mph, while Aaron Stanfield was right behind at 6.501 and 209.43 mph. Eric Latino’s 6.503 at 211.00 mph put him sixth and gave him the fastest speed of Q1.

Jeg Coughlin Jr. sits seventh after a 6.506 at 209.98, followed by six-time world champion Erica Enders at 6.509 and 209.56.

The depth of the session was evident throughout the field. Cody Anderson ran 6.525, Kenny Delco posted a 6.545 and Stephen Bell went 6.550. Dallas Glenn was on a competitive run through the eighth-mile before slowing considerably on the top end, crossing in 6.555 at only 193.05 mph.

Not everyone got the opening run they wanted. Mason McGaha managed a 6.563, while Chris Vang, Deric Kramer and Matt Latino encountered problems and failed to make representative runs.

The numbers set up an intriguing second session Friday evening. Only .027-second separates Anderson's provisional No. 1 from Enders in the No. 8 position, and with the quickest conditions of the day potentially still ahead, the top of the Pro Stock order could see considerable movement.

Pro Stock Q1 qualifying order

Quickest: Greg Anderson, 6.482
Fastest: Eric Latino, 211.00 mph
Spread, No. 1 to No. 8: .027 second

Alexis DeJoria leads Funny Car after wild opening qualifying session in St. Louis

MADISON, Ill. — Alexis DeJoria emerged from an eventful opening Funny Car qualifying session with the provisional No. 1 position Friday at the NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals, powering to a 3.882-second pass at 334.65 mph at World Wide Technology Raceway.

DeJoria produced the quickest clean run of Q1, reaching the finish line after a strong 3.150 at 284.56 mph to the eighth-mile.

Dave Richards delivered one of the biggest performances of the session, racing to a 3.930 at 333.74 mph to grab the provisional No. 2 spot, while Chad Green was close behind with a 3.951 at 323.74.

Several of the championship contenders encountered trouble during their opening attempts.

Matt Hagan made it farther than most, recording a 3.910-second elapsed time at 335.07 mph, but the timing data indicates the run was not representative of a complete 1,000-foot Funny Car pass. His 3.177-second eighth-mile number and 283.55-mph speed show Hagan was on a strong run before the anomalous finish-line data.

Jack Beckman similarly recorded a displayed 3.914 at 326.63 mph after going 3.168 at 279.73 to the eighth-mile. Terry Haddock was another with a strong early run, recording a 3.263 at 276.07 mph to 660 feet before the displayed 4.028 at 315.19 mph.

Austin Prock's opening attempt went away early, slowing to a 4.923 at 225.15 mph. Ron Capps also encountered trouble and finished with an 8.414, while Jordan Vandergriff slowed after running 3.217 at 234.41 mph to the eighth-mile.

With Q1 complete, the Funny Car teams now get an opportunity to reset before Friday night's second qualifying session, when cooler track and air temperatures could provide the quickest conditions of the day.

Funny Car — Q1 ranking by displayed E.T.

Quickest: Alexis DeJoria, 3.882
Fastest: Matt Hagan, 335.07 mph
3-second runs: DeJoria, Hagan, Beckman, Richards and Green

Langdon closes Top Fuel Q1 with a 3.679 blast to take the top spot

MADISON, Ill. — Shawn Langdon saved the best for last in Friday’s opening round of Top Fuel qualifying at the NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals, blasting to a 3.679-second pass at 339.87 mph to take the provisional No. 1 position at World Wide Technology Raceway.

Running alongside Kalitta Motorsports teammate Doug Kalitta in the final pair of Q1, Langdon was quickest from the starting line to the finish. His .824-second 60-foot time was the best of the session, and he reached half-track in 2.965 seconds at 296.50 mph before charging through the finish line at nearly 340 mph.

Josh Hart finished the session No. 2 after an impressive 3.717 at 333.41 mph. Billy Torrence followed with a 3.723 at 334.82, while Antron Brown's 3.726 at 335.90 placed him fourth.

Kalitta recorded a solid 3.728 at 333.66 to take fifth, followed closely by Leah Pruett at 3.730 and 331.69. Justin Ashley was next with a 3.737 at 331.36.

Jasmine Salinas turned in a strong 3.741 at 327.11 mph to grab the eighth position, one-thousandth ahead of Tony Stewart's 3.742 at 332.59.

The middle of the field was equally competitive. Will Smith ran 3.756 at 323.43, Maddi Gordon was just one-thousandth behind with a 3.757 at 332.67, and Shawn Reed, Spencer Massey and Kyle Wurtzel all ran in the 3.70s.

Several drivers will be looking for significant improvements in Q2. Cameron Ferre slowed to a 4.169 at 228.34, Clay Millican finished with a 5.822, and Scott Palmer and Chuck Loftin also encountered trouble.

With one session complete, Langdon owns a .038-second advantage over the rest of the field and the only 3.60-second run of Q1.

Top Fuel Q1 qualifying order

Quickest: Shawn Langdon — 3.679
Fastest: Shawn Langdon — 339.87 mph
Best 60-foot: Shawn Langdon — .824
3.70-second runs: 13
No. 1 to No. 9: Just .063 second

Gaige Herrera blasts to 6.666 to lead Pro Stock Motorcycle Q2 in St. Louis

Gaige Herrera made a major move under the lights Friday at the NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals, powering to a 6.666-second pass at 202.03 mph to lead the second Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying session and earn the UsedHotDogs.com Top Dog number 1 qualifier in the second session at World Wide Technology Raceway.

Herrera was impressive throughout the run, leaving with a 1.022-second 60-foot time — easily the best of the session — and reaching the eighth-mile in 4.260 seconds at 164.87 mph before charging through the finish line with the only 6.60-second run of Q2.

Joey Gladstone was Herrera's closest challenger, running 6.697 at a session-best 202.15 mph. Angie Smith, who led Q1 with a 6.730, improved to a 6.696 at 199.88 mph in Q2, putting her second in the session by elapsed time, one-thousandth ahead of Gladstone.

John Hall made one of the session's biggest improvements, recording a 6.707 at 199.26 mph. Matt Smith followed closely with a 6.710 at 200.86, while Ryan Oehler turned in a 6.712 at 201.19.

Richard Gadson recorded a 6.739 at 200.20 mph, followed by Chase Van Sant's 6.762 at 199.76. Steve Johnson ran 6.795 at 195.85, while Clayton Howey rounded out the top 10 with a 6.803 at 197.71.

The session produced significantly improved performance at the front of the field, with six riders running between Herrera's 6.666 and Oehler's 6.712.

Pro Stock Motorcycle — Q2 ranking

Quickest: Gaige Herrera — 6.666
Fastest: Joey Gladstone — 202.15 mph
Best 60-foot: Gaige Herrera — 1.022
Margin from No. 1 to No. 2: .030 second

Troy Coughlin Jr. edges Greg Stanfield to lead ultra-tight Pro Stock Q2

Troy Coughlin Jr. came out on top of UsedHotDogs.com Top Dog number 1 qualifier in the second session in an exceptionally tight second round of Pro Stock qualifying Friday at the NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals, racing to a 6.473-second pass at 211.69 mph at World Wide Technology Raceway.

Coughlin's run narrowly edged Greg Stanfield, who recorded a 6.474 at 210.93 mph to finish just one-thousandth of a second behind the session leader.

Greg Anderson, who paced the opening qualifying session with a 6.482, improved to a 6.479 at 210.50 mph to rank third in Q2.

Aaron Stanfield was next with a 6.483 at 210.24 mph, followed by Matt Hartford's 6.486 at 210.54.

Jeg Coughlin Jr. and Eric Latino produced matching 6.488-second elapsed times, with Coughlin reaching 211.08 mph and Latino running 211.46. Erica Enders completed a remarkably tight top eight with a 6.491 at 211.63 mph.

Just .018-second separated Coughlin at the top of the session from Enders in eighth.

The performance also extended well beyond elapsed time. Coughlin's 211.69 mph was the fastest speed of Q2, narrowly ahead of Enders at 211.63 and Latino at 211.46.

Several drivers weren't as fortunate. Dallas Glenn encountered trouble almost immediately, recording a 1.240-second 60-foot time before slowing to an 11.773 at 98.16 mph. Cody Anderson was also unable to complete a representative run, while Deric Kramer, Matt Latino and Chris Vang will all be looking to rebound Saturday.

Pro Stock — Q2 ranking by E.T.

Quickest: Troy Coughlin Jr. — 6.473
Fastest: Troy Coughlin Jr. — 211.69 mph
No. 1 to No. 2: .001 second
No. 1 to No. 8: .018 second
Eight quickest cars: All 6.491 or better

Matt Hagan takes Funny Car Q2 and UsedHotDogs.com Top Dog honors with 3.882

MADISON, Ill. — Matt Hagan delivered when it counted Friday night at the NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals, powering to a 3.882-second pass at 331.85 mph to lead the second Funny Car qualifying session at World Wide Technology Raceway and claim the UsedHotDogs.com Top Dog No. 1 bonus.

Hagan matched Alexis DeJoria’s 3.882 from the opening session, but Hagan’s slower 331.85-mph speed means DeJoria retains the overall provisional No. 1 qualifying position based on her 334.65-mph Q1 run. Hagan, however, was the quickest driver in the designated Friday-night Q2 session, earning the UsedHotDogs.com Top Dog honors.

Jack Beckman was just six-thousandths behind Hagan in Q2, running a strong 3.888 at 332.10 mph. Beckman launched with a .866-second 60-foot time and stayed hooked up throughout the run.

Jordan Vandergriff continued his strong recent form with a 3.906 at 328.94 mph, while Chad Green also ran 3.906, crossing at 329.99 mph. Green’s slightly faster speed places him ahead of Vandergriff when ranking their identical elapsed times.

Cruz Pedregon produced a 3.933 at 320.89 mph despite dropping a cylinder near the top end, while Dave Richards continued his impressive weekend with a 3.923 at 333.74 mph.

Terry Haddock also made a clean run, recording a 4.034 at 314.83 mph.

Several championship contenders failed to capitalize on the prime Friday-night conditions. Austin Prock spun the tires early and slowed to a 5.692 at 152.37 mph, while DeJoria shook immediately and shut off to an 7.998. Ron Capps also rattled the tires at the hit and coasted through with an 8.006.

With Friday qualifying complete, DeJoria's 3.882 at 334.65 from Q1 remains the overall provisional No. 1, while Hagan leaves Friday night as the UsedHotDogs.com Top Dog after producing the quickest run of Q2.

Funny Car — Q2 ranking by E.T.

UsedHotDogs.com Top Dog: Matt Hagan — 3.882 at 331.85 mph
Overall provisional No. 1: Alexis DeJoria — 3.882 at 334.65 mph
Quickest of Q2: Matt Hagan — 3.882
Fastest of Q2: J.R. Todd — 336.07 mph

Shawn Langdon stays on top in Top Fuel and claims UsedHotDogs.com Top Dog honors

MADISON, Ill. — Shawn Langdon backed up his dominant opening qualifying performance Friday night at the NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals, racing to a 3.682-second pass at 338.51 mph to lead the second Top Fuel session at World Wide Technology Raceway and claim UsedHotDogs.com Top Dog No. 1 honors.

Langdon entered Q2 as the provisional No. 1 qualifier following his 3.679 at 339.87 mph in the opening session. With bonus money on the line Friday night, he delivered again, leaving with a .831-second 60-foot time and reaching half-track in 2.966 seconds at 296.63 mph before finishing with the quickest run of Q2.

Maddi Gordon made one of the strongest runs of the evening, powering to a 3.708 at 335.90 mph to rank second in the session.

Antron Brown followed with a 3.704 at 334.90 mph, making him second quickest by elapsed time, while Spencer Massey continued his strong weekend with a 3.715 at 332.67.

Billy Torrence was close behind with a 3.716 at 333.91 mph, followed by Shawn Reed's 3.721 at 331.69 and Kyle Wurtzel's 3.723 at 332.59. Will Smith recorded a 3.742 at 332.75, and Clay Millican ran 3.760 at 323.19.

Several of the category's biggest names ran into trouble under the lights. Tony Stewart lost traction and slowed to a 4.256 at 191.32 mph. Justin Ashley shut off early and recorded a 4.504 at 169.64, while Doug Kalitta, Tony Schumacher, Leah Pruett, Jasmine Salinas and Josh Hart also failed to make representative full-track runs.

Langdon's Q1 performance remains the quickest run of Friday, keeping him atop the overall qualifying order with his 3.679 at 339.87. More importantly Friday night, he answered the challenge when money was on the line, earning UsedHotDogs.com Top Dog No. 1 honors with his 3.682.

Top Fuel — Q2 ranking by E.T.

UsedHotDogs.com Top Dog: Shawn Langdon — 3.682 at 338.51 mph
Overall provisional No. 1: Shawn Langdon — 3.679 at 339.87 mph (Q1)
Quickest of Q2: Shawn Langdon — 3.682
Fastest of Q2: Shawn Langdon — 338.51 mph