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News, notes, and quotes from final eliminations at the NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals. Updated throughout the day.
The first pair out ignites the energy and Kyle Wurtzel goes 3.789 to beat Josh Hart’s better reaction time and 3.809. Hart’s 330.96. That’s Wurtzel’s fourth career round win and second race in a row seeing a win light on raceday. Wurtzel was excited but more than that, he was overwhelmingly grateful at the top end.
“This is unbelievable — we’ve tried so hard to get to where we’re at, and I’m grateful and thankful to everyone who’s helped get us here. It takes a village,” said Wurtzel.
No ground will be made up for Brittany Force today in the championship chase. Justin Ashley’s .036 light (how, though?!) tops an incredible .058, and he takes it all the way as Force smokes the tires.
“We want to end strong. We want to end with a championship,” said Force. “To go out first round, that’s not where we want to be. It’s still out there, we’ll see what everybody else does. But it’s frustrating.”
Reigning world champion Antron Brown advances when Cameron Ferre has problems, start to finish. No. 1 qualifier Doug Kalitta advances with a 3.740 over a slowing Will Smith.
HUGE upset here as Ida Zetterström is a perfect .000 at the tree and powers to a 3.801, 323.66 to take out Tony Stewart, who was No. 5 in the points coming into the day.
“There’s just so much on the line right now, and Tony is one of the best leavers out here. I don’t think I’ve ever been as amped up in this racecar. I just left as soon as I fricken’ could,” said a breathless Zetterström.
Tony Schumacher’s last win was at this race in 2024, and he’s got a shot again as he knocks out Rick Ware Racing teammate Clay Millican, 3.787 to 3.850. No. 4, 5, and 6 Top Fuel cars are out in round one.
T.J. Zizzo goes red and Steve Torrence advances despite some tire smoke. Shawn Langdon uses a 3.772, 336.82 to close the door on Shawn Reed. 3.788. 
The top three drivers in the points advance but drivers in the next four positions are out, and the door opens for No. 8 Torrence and No. 9 Brown. Three drivers not in contention for the championship have a chance at being a true thorn in the side of the players in round two.
For now: Torrence moves up to seventh, Brown moves up to eighth.
Second-round Top Fuel pairings (lane choice first): Doug Kalitta vs. Steve Torrence; Justin Ashley vs. Shawn Langdon; Antron Brown vs. Tony Schumacher; Kyle Wurtzel vs. Ida Zetterström
This has been a rough weekend for NAPA-backed Ron Capps, and it ends in tire smoke as soon as he leaves the starting line. Tasca, who qualified in the top half, will advance on a 3.933.
“That was tough. We finally get our act together and have to race those guys first round,” said crew chief Aaron Brooks, noting that the team made their best qualifying effort of the season. “We were trying to run better than that, but we got away with it.”
Before the next pair fires up, an announcement is made that today’s crowd at World Wide Technology Raceway is the largest Sunday crowd in the history of this event. One look at the packed stands and one realizes that this is an indisputable fact.
Daniel Wilkerson smokes the tires in the SCAG machine next to teammate Dave Richards, who fouls out by -.169. Matt Hagan goes 3.964 to knock out Alex Laughlin. Austin Prock’s 3.924 advances over a charging Bobby Bode, and Chad Green wins with ease as teammate Blake Alexander’s ‘chutes pop midway down the track.
A good day for Alexis Dejoria is a bad one for Paul Lee, who was fifth in Funny Car points ahead of this round.
Cruz Pedregon wins a great race with J.R. Todd. They cut identical reaction times (.076) but Pedregon goes 3.954 to a 3.962 to win by .008.
“We had some mechanical problems this weekend, but we recovered and the team did a good job,” said We were a little bit gambling there. I was thinking about shutting it off early but I heard JR and thought man, he’s going to nip us if I do. Big round win.”
Jack Beckman doesn’t make a clean run here, but it’s good enough to beat a tire-smoking Spencer Hyde.
Wilkerson goes around Paul Lee and up to No. 5, DeJoria goes around Todd to ninth, Beckman goes around Capps
Second-round Funny Car pairings (lane choice first): Alexis DeJoria vs. Daniel Wilkerson; Austin Prock vs. Jack Beckman; Bob Tasca III vs. Chad Green; Cruz Pedregon vs. Matt Hagan
 
Pro Stock round one
Cody Coughlin’s .015 light is eclipsed by Fernando Cuadra Jr. as his run stumbles downtrack in the first pair out. Cuadra Jr. advances on a 6.586. 
Greg Anderson takes the HendrickCars.com Chevrolet to his best run of the weekend, a 6.527, in his defeat of Mason McGaha. 
In a stunning upset, Rookie of the Year hopeful Matt Latino’s .006 to a .029 gets it done over Aaron Stanfield on a holeshot. Stanfield goes 6.547 next to Latino’s 6.560. The margin of victory is .010. 
Matt Hartford makes a strong 210 mph pass in his defeat of Cristian Cuadra, who was .028 at the tree to a .035. Hartford wins on a 6.545 to a 6.585. 
In just his second Pro Stock event, Chris Vang enters the chat with a .033 light and steady 6.601 to knock out Cory Reed – who claimed top bonus points in qualifying as one of the quickest of the lot. Reed was .013 at the tree and went 6.538 to miss the win light by just .007. That’s just complete thievery, Vang. 
“This is unbelievable,” said Vang, who was doing double-duty this weekend and also racing Stock eliminator. “Representing Sportsman racers, I’m doing my best. I was a little lucky that time, but I can’t thank everyone enough for giving me this opportunity.” 
The marquee matchup has shown up, and “Double-Oh” Dallas clocks a .010 light next to “The Natural” Jeg Coughlin Jr.’s .037. A 6.538 beats a 6.549 but Glenn will give up lane choice to Anderson next round.
Yet another wow moment in Pro Stock as Troy Coughlin Jr. is a super quick and handy .001 at the tree to put No. 1 qualifier Eric Latino on the trailer on a holeshot. Latino was .058 at the hit and went 6.536 to Coughlin’s winning 6.581. 
Greg Stanfield’s .013 reaction time is threatening, but Elite Motorsports teammate Erica Enders recovers from a .031 to win with a 6.545, 210.44 to a 6.580, 208.36. 
Troy Coughlin Jr. moves up to No. 11, Hartford is now tied for third with Aaron Stanfield, and Enders moves up from seventh to fifth. Glenn is going to leave here with the points lead regardless of what happens, but Anderson will have a chance to narrow the gap as the two KB Titan Racing teammates have to run one another in the next round. 
Second-round Pro Stock pairings (lane choice first): Erica Enders vs. Matt Hartford; Troy Coughlin Jr. vs. Fernando Cuadra Jr.; Greg Anderson vs. Dallas Glenn; Matt Latino vs. Chris Vang
The strikingly eye-catching red JHG V-Twin is moving on as Jianna Evaristo is .038 to the .101 illuminated by Kelly Clontz. A 6.848 beats a 6.864. 
A great light and a  good run for Wesley Wells, but Angie Smith has no problem clicking on this win light as she powers the pink DENSO motorcycle to a 6.822 over a 7.164. 
Steve Johnson, who picked up a bonus point with a quick motorcycle in qualifying, continues his ride on the Big St. Charles bike to a 6.774 beside a red-lighting Ryan Oehler. 
Uh oh, it’s an upset here as 2023 Rookie of the Year Chase Van Sant launches with a .011 next to championship contender John Hall. The head starts makes the difference at the strip, and Van Sant wins on a holeshot by .003 with a 6.866 to a 6.842. 
Wait a second. Wait just a second. The upsetting isn’t yet done! Marc Ingwersen’s .014 reaction and 6.910 puts Matt Smith, No. 2 in the points, on the trailer. Smith struggles to a 6.997 after laying down a respectable .025. 
Matt Smith is darn near speechless at the top end. 
“It was the same thing that happened to us on Q2 Friday night, the crank sensor went out,” said Smith. “We have to figure it out, but we’ll be ready at Dallas.” 
No more upsets this round as Brayden Davis, Richard Gadson, and Gaige Herrera (on a bye run) all advance. This entire first round was a lot to digest, but incredibly, nobody changes position in the points. That’s a very temporary statement, however. Round two coming up soon. 
Second-round Pro Stock Motorcycle pairings (lane choice first): Gaige Herrera vs. Jianna Evaristo; Angie Smith vs. Marc Ingwersen; Steve Johnson vs. Richard Gadson; Brayden Davis vs. Chase Van Sant
Ida Zetterström to the semis for the second time in her career! She’s .088 to Kyle Wurtzel’s .102 and takes the JCM Racing rail to a winning 3.802 to a 3.889. 
In an enormous match-up, No. 2 Justin Ashley and No. 3 Shawn Langdon are nearly identical at the tree – .044 and .049, respectively – and at the final timer it’s a win for Ashley on a 3.794, 330.55 to 3.817, 329.42.
“Shawn is an incredible competitor and an incredible person,” said Ashley. “It takes a very special type of person to be able to win in multiple categories. He’s great at what he does, and what you saw right there was championship level drag racing. This is the payoffs, and that was an incredible race.” 
Schumacher is first to launch next to Antron Brown, but it’s the reigning champ with the win light as Schumacher has trouble keeping the tires moving. Steve Torrence has trouble as well and sends Doug Kalitta ahead. Brown moves up to No. 8 in the Top Fuel standings, all else stay put for now. 
Semifinals Top Fuel pairings (lane choice first): Justin Ashley vs. Doug Kalitta; Ida Zetterström vs. Antron Brown
He clearly has a racecar as Bob Tasca III wheels his way to a 3.966, but Chad Green’s .089 reaction time to a .145 is good for a holeshot win, 4.007 to 3.966. 
Jack Beckman gets a big big big win over John Force Racing teammate Austin Prock, 4.018 to 4.352, and Matt Hagan’s 3.988 win over Cruz Pedregon’s tire smoking effort keeps him in a good position as well. 
Beckman is thrilled.
“We just got a win light over the titan of the class,” he said.
Dan Wilkerson goes low of the round with a 3.947 paired with a .059 reaction time in the SCAG Ford  – could this be the day for Wilk’s Warriors cheering for their hometown boy? Alexis DeJoria’s strong 3.966 was for naught. 
Prock will be the points leader at the end of the day despite his early exit, but a couple of drivers can make a big move today. Green moves up to No. 11.
Semifinals Funny Car pairings (lane choice first): Matt Hagan vs. Jack Beckman; Daniel Wilkerson vs. Chad Green
Starting off on exciting note with a .009 from Troy Coughlin Jr. to defeat teammate Fernando Cuadra Jr.’s .030. Coughlin is 6.626 to win over a 6.634. 
Chris Vang is a stunning .005 to Matt Latino’s .035, but at the stripe, Latino has the quicker car and gets the nod on a 6.569, 207.50. 
The rivalry between these two is palpable, and when Matt Hartford throws down a .003 to the .025 put up by Erica Enders, it’s critical. Hartford’s 6.557 to a 6.570 ensures advancement. 
The battle for the championship the last two seasons has had Greg Anderson and Dallas Glenn at the heart, and here, Glenn gets a .004 head start at the tree but then starts dropping steam as his car sashays ever so slightly. Anderson gets ahead and gets the win, 6.548, 208.71 to 6.568, 208.42. For the first time in this Countdown to the Championship, Glenn will not be winning. 
Troy Coughlin Jr. moves up to 10th place but everyone else stays put – but with a brighter future now that the points leader is on the trailer. 
Semifinals Pro Stock pairings (lane choice first): Greg Anderson vs. Matt Latino; Matt Hartford vs. Troy Coughlin Jr.
An oil leak back in the pits puts Marc Ingwersen behind the eight ball, and when he pulls forward and fires his motorcycle, the throttle is high – too high – and it won’t come back down. He shuts the bike off, but it is still off when he starts it up again. Angie Smith takes a single to the semis. 
Chase Van Sant leaves first, .025 to .034, but Brayden Davis is headed to the semifinals on a 6.821 that matches Smith’s. In the next pair, Richard Gadson picks up an important round win as he is off the starting line first with a .024 light to Steve Johnson’s .073 and wins on a holeshot. Gadson goes 6.855 to a 6.853 and will lose lane choice to teammate Davis in the next round. 
Jianna Evaristo launches her JHG motorcycle off the line first, .033 to Gaige Herrera’s .066 aboard the RevZilla Suzuki, but Herrera’s low of the round 6.782 beats a 6.923.
Gadson now has a two-round lead over Matt Smith with Herrera in third. Angie Smith is one point ahead of John Hall and could make a move up. Davis is one round win away from moving into the top six. 
Semifinals Pro Stock Motorcycle pairings (lane choice first): Angie Smith vs. Gaige Herrera; Brayden Davis vs. Richard Gadson
Well how about that, the FIA Top Fuel champion is heading to her first final round! Ida Zetterström and Antron Brown both smoke the tires but Brown is out of it first, and Zetterström’s .069 reaction time and 3.925 get it done. 
Doug Kalitta’s Mac Tools dragster has no problem on this hot track and his 3.805, 332.59 puts Justin Ashley’s .045 and 3.931, 310.41 on the trailer. Kalitta is extending his points lead no matter what. 
The final will be the 124th of Kalitta’s career, and he’s in the hunt for his 58th win.
Final-round Top Fuel pairing (lane choice first): Doug Kalitta vs. Ida Zetterström 
Tire smoke for Chad Green, and defending event champ Jack Beckman is going to the final again. Dan Wilkerson is also up in smoke, and Matt Hagan will have lane choice over Beckman. 
Hagan will be either 40 or 20 marks back from points leader Austin Prock leaving this race, Beckman will be either 45 or 65 away from the top spot. Is this moment what they call a “pregnant pause,” because it sure feels like something big is about to happen. 
This will be the 97th final of Hagan’s career as he chases a 54th win, and it’s Beckman’s 79th final with the shot at a 40th trophy.
Final-round Funny Car pairing (lane choice first): Matt Hagan vs. Jack Beckman
Troy Coughlin Jr. is so serious about this day – his lights have been extraordinary! But when wicked mean terrible tire shake follows a .003 reaction here, it’s over. Matt Hartford battles a car that wants to slide out of the groove and he reels it in for a 6.562 win. 
Matt Latino leaves ahead of Greg Anderson by five-thousandths, but the backend washes out a bit on the FASS Chevrolet and it’s Anderson with the win light on a 6.551, 208.71 that will give him lane choice over Hartford in the final. 
Hartford is seeking a ninth career win in his 20th final; Anderson is after win No. 112 in his 191st final. 
Final-round Pro Stock pairing (lane choice first): Greg Anderson vs. Matt Hartford 
Brayden Davis is going to his second career final! He leaves second on a .012 light – points leader Richard Gadson is a killer .009 – but his 6.809 defeats a 6.830. He’ll race Vance & Hines teammate Gaige Herrera, who clocks a 6.798, 200.17 after Angie Smith red lights next to him. 
Davis moves up to No. 6, Herrera is now No. 2 in the points; Matt Smith drops to third. This will be the 31st final for Herrera, who is seeking a 27th career win in just his 48th start. This is the second career final for Davis, who was runner-up at the U.S. Nationals earlier this month. 
Herrera will either be 49 or 29 points back from Gadson leaving here. This is war. 
Final-round Pro Stock Motorcycle pairing (lane choice first): Gaige Herrera vs. Brayden Davis
 
Comp
Matthew Alvey def. Scott Chamness 
Super Stock
Kevin Helms def. Brett Speer 
Stock
Jimmy Hidalgo Jr. def. Dennis Lund 
Super Comp
Alison Prose def. Douglas Miller 
Super Gas
Phil Unruh def. Nathan Prose 
Top Sportsman
Dan Lafferty def. Curt Fredrich 
 
John DeFlorian def. Vincent Nobile

Derek Menholt def. Mike Castellana

Derek Menholt def. Mike Castellana
 
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