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WEATHER DELAY

Rain has delayed the NHRA New England Nationals Funny Car and Top Fuel Finals. They will now run on Friday of Bristol.

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Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals Sunday preview

After two days of qualifying with some unexpected results, the stage is set for a thrilling and unpredictable day of final eliminations at the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK. Here's a look at what to expect in our Sunday preview.
16 May 2026
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Race coverage
Chicago

After two days of qualifying with some unexpected results, the stage is set for a thrilling and unpredictable day of final eliminations at the 
Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK.


It was not surprising to see Doug Kalitta lead the field in Top Fuel and as a result, the reigning and two-time world champion will have a bye run in the opening round. Things get a bit tougher from that point forward as Kalitta will have a quarterfinal race against the winner of the race between Shawn Reed and Shawn Langdon.

Another interesting match in round one pits the fastest driver I the field, Josh Hart, with the class’ best starting line driver, Justin Ashley.

Maddi Gordon will also face off against Krista Baldwin in a race that will certainly be defined by pre-race energy. Thirteen of the 15 cars in Top Fuel ran in the 3.7s meaning there are no easy paths to the winner’s circle.

The Funny Car class is defined by intrigue as there are several notable match-ups including Blake Alexander vs. Matt Hagan with Alexander having lane choice.

Spencer Hyde will also race Alexis DeJoria, the winner of Saturday’s Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge.

Gainesville winner Chad Green will face Valdosta winner Jordan Vandergriff while J.R. Todd has his work cut out from him against home state favorite Daniel Wilkerson.

In Pro Stock, Erica Enders qualified No. 1 for the first time since the 2024 St. Louis event and she is scheduled to race Derrick Reese in round one.

For the second time this season, Greg Anderson will face off against his son, Cody while Aaron Stanfield is paired with Matt Hartford, who is seeking his third win of the season.

Finally, Troy Coughlin Jr., fresh off a runner-up finish in Valdosta, is racing against reigning world champion and current points leader Dallas Glenn.

Angie Smith leads the way in Pro Stock Motorcycle and she will have a bye run in the opening round. Clayton Howey clashes with Chase Van Sant and the winner will have to run Angie Smith in the quarterifnals.

Gaige Herrera, winner of the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, runs against 2003 world champion Geno Scali while Matt Smith, the Valdosta winner, races his teammate, Jianna Evaristo.

In addition to the four Mission Foods Pro classes, special 75th annual diamond NHRA Wally trophies will also be handed out to racers in the JBS Pro Mod Series, FlexJet Factory Stock Showdown, and eight Lucas Oil Series sportsman categories.

DEFENDING EVENT CHAMPIONS
TOP FUEL: Tony Stewart
FUNNY CAR: Jack Beckman
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE: Gaige Herrera
*Pro Stock was not contested

MOST WINS
TOP FUEL: Tony Schumacher (5)
FUNNY CAR: Matt Hagan, Tony Pedregon (4)
PRO STOCK: Jeg Coughlin Jr. (6)
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE: Gaige Herrera, LE Tonglet, Andrew Hines (3)

TRACK RECORDS
Top Fuel - 3.661 sec. by Doug Kalitta, May '25; 338.09 mph by Antron Brown, May ‘25
Funny Car - 3.831 sec. by Robert Hight, May. '23, Brainerd; 336.40 mph by J.R Todd, May '25
Pro Stock - 6.510 sec. by Dallas Glenn, May '23, 212.39 mph by Greg Anderson, June '19
Pro Stock Motorcycle - 6.672 sec. by Gaige Herrera, May '23, 204.26 mph by Matt Smith, May '25

NATIONAL RECORDS:
Top Fuel - 3.623 sec. by Brittany Force, Sept. '19, Reading, Pa.; 345.00 mph by Shawn Langdon, May ‘26, Adel
Funny Car - 3.793 sec. by Robert Hight, Aug. '17, Brainerd; 341.68 mph by Austin Prock, Nov. '24, Pomona
Pro Stock - 6.443 sec. by Greg Anderson, March '25, Gainesville; 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

SCHEDULE
SATURDAY, May 16
Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series eliminations at 8 a.m. 
Peak Street Car Shootout 11:20 a.m. and 4:25 p.m.
Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying at 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, May 3
Mission Foods Drag Racing Series eliminations begin at 11:00 a.m

TELEVISION
Saturday, May 16, FOX Sports 1 (FS1) will televise one hour of qualifying coverage at 11:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 17, FS1 will televise three hours of eliminations