91°µÍø

On Friday at Gainesville Raceway, NHRA Mission Drag Racing Series pros took to the track for the first time in 2025 for the first two qualifying runs of the Amalie Motor Oil NHREA Gatornationals.

Among the day’s highlights were a 6.443 national record run by Greg Anderson in Pro Stock along with solid runs by provisional low qualifiers Antron Brown, Jack Beckman, and Gaige Herrera in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock Motorcycle, respectively.

Reigning Top Fuel world champion Brown went 3.685-seconds at 334.24 mph in his Matco Tools dragster during the second session, starting the year strong after earning his fourth world championship in 2024. If Friday’s run under the lights holds, the 80-time event winner would pick up his 51st career No. 1 qualifier.
Ìý
Tripp Tatum also went 3.685 at a slower 326.58 to take the second spot and reigning Gainesville winner Shawn Langdon is third after going 3.690 at 335.23.
Ìý
Selections were also made for the opening round of the big-money Right Trailers Top Fuel All-Star Callout bonus race, which takes place today. Top seed Steve Torrence selected Tony Stewart as his opening-round opponent, while Doug Kalitta picked Clay Millican for his first-round matchup. Shawn Langdon and defending world champion Brown will face off, while the final first-round pair features Justin Ashley and Brittany Force.
Ìý
Jack Beckman was the quickest in both Funny Car sessions on Friday, slipping past Bob Tasca III under the lights with a stellar run of 3.832 at 334.65 in the Peak Camaro. Named the full-time driver for John Force during the 2025 campaign, Beckman picked up where he left off last year, following his 91°µÍø Finals victory with a pair of terrific runs on Friday.
Ìý
Tasca was also strong on Friday, going 3.833 at 333.82 and Capps’ 3.857 at 335.73 puts him third after the first day of qualifying.
Ìý
In Pro Stock, Anderson made NHRA history in an unbelievable performance with a 6.443 in his HendrickCars.com Camaro to set the Pro Stock world record. Anderson is in line for his 133rd No. 1 qualifier if he can maintain the lead during today’s final two qualifying runs.
Ìý
Deric Kramer took the second spot after a career-best run of 6.463 at 212.23 and Dallas Glenn is right behind after going 6.466 at 212.56.
Ìý
Gaige Herrera’s domination at Gainesville Raceway continued on Friday, as the back-to-back world champion took over the top spot during the second session on his RevZilla/ Vance & Hines Suzuki with a run of 6.670 at 202.97. Herrera has rolled to Gatornationals wins at the last two events at the legendary facility and appears poised to try and make it three in a row.
Ìý
Matt Smith is currently second with a pass of 6.679 at 203.49 and Angie Smith is third after going 6.709 at 201.01.
Ìý
Saturday’s packed schedule also includes qualifying in the Congruity Pro Mod series and FlexJet Factory Stock Showdown as well as the continuation of final eliminations in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series sportsman categories.

2024 EVENT WINNERS: Shawn Langdon, Top Fuel; J.R. Todd, Funny Car; Erica Enders, Pro Stock; Gaige Herrera, Pro Stock Motorcycle. Ìý

MOST VICTORIES: Tony Schumacher 5, TF; John Force, 8, FC; Warren Johnson, 9, PS; Eddie Krawiec, 6, PSM.

TRACK RECORDS

Top Fuel – 3 646 seconds by Doug Kalitta, March ‘23; 337.75 mph by Brittany Force, March ‘22
Funny Car – 3 820 seconds by Austin Prock, March ‘24; 338.09 mph by Bob Tasca III, March ‘24
Pro Stock – 6.443 seconds by Greg Anderson, March ‘25; 214.69 mph by Enders, March ‘14
Pro Stock Motorcycle: 6.629 seconds by Gaige Herrera, March ‘24; 204.54 mph by Herrera, March ‘24

SCHEDULE
SATURDAY, March 8 (All times ET)
LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations at 8 a.m.
NHRA MISSION FOODS SERIES qualifying at 12:35 p.m. and 3 p.m.
RIGHT TRAILERS ALLSTAR CALLOUT rounds, 12:15 p.m., 2:20 p.m., 3:35 p.m.

SUNDAY, March 9
Pre-race ceremony, 9 a.m.
NHRA MISSION FOODS SERIES eliminations begin at 9:30 a.m.

TELEVISION
Saturday March 8 FS1 will televise one hour of qualifying at 8 p.m.
Saturday March 8, FS1 will televise 90 minutes of the Allstar TF Callout at 9 p.m.
Sunday, March 9, FS1 will televise 90 minutes of qualifying at 12:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 9, FS1 will televise three hours of final eliminations at 7 p.m.