By Mike Haag | Raceday San Antonio
ENNIS, Texas — Dangerous winds and weather conditions forced NHRA officials to postpone Friday’s Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle second round qualifying sessions at Texas Motorplex, but championship contenders Greg Stanfield and Gaige Herrera made the most of their opportunities during the opening day of the 41st annual Texas NHRA FallNationals.
Stanfield, the Pro Stock points leader, powered his Janac Brothers Racing Chevrolet Camaro to a 6.460-second run at 212.80 mph to claim the provisional No. 1 qualifying position. The Elite Motorsports driver entered the fourth race of the six-event Countdown to the Championship playoffs holding a 71-point advantage over defending world champion Dallas Glenn, with Matt Hartford 81 points behind and six-time world champion Greg Anderson trailing by 109.
“This says a lot for our team. Things are going well for us, and we’re just trying to keep that momentum going,” Stanfield said. “We haven’t made any mistakes, and we’re just trying to build off of that. We did a little testing last week, and we’re working hard to try to keep this thing up front.”
Stanfield, seeking his second No. 1 qualifier of the season, narrowly edged Troy Coughlin Jr., who ran 6.464 at 212.74 mph. Anderson was third at 6.468 and 210.51, followed by Glenn at 6.469 and 211.56. Aaron Stanfield rounded out the top five with a 6.470 at 211.63, while Hartford was sixth at 6.473 and 213.03. Erica Enders, a six-time world champion, qualified eighth at 6.481 and 212.41.
“We felt like we needed to go a .45 to be what I call a ‘perfect pass,’ so there was a little bit left there,” Stanfield said. “We were just trying to pick it apart as best as we can and trying to get those little points.”
In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Herrera continued his late-season championship charge with a 6.676-second run at 202.22 mph aboard his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki. The two-time world champion, seeking his fourth No. 1 qualifier of the season, entered the weekend just 32 points behind teammate and defending world champion Richard Gadson after defeating him in the final round at St. Louis two weeks ago.
Herrera’s performance was especially significant considering Gadson struggled during Friday’s lone qualifying session, managing only a 7.794-second run at 124.56 mph that left him 12th in the provisional order. Matt Smith qualified second with a 6.709 at 201.86, followed by Angie Smith at 6.725 and 202.28. Joey Gladstone was fourth at 6.768 and 198.50, while Chase Van Sant rounded out the top five at 6.790 and 198.47.
“My bike’s been phenomenal lately. I don’t think Andrew [Hines] touched it since St. Louis. He said it was good. He put the cover on it and headed to Dallas,” Herrera said. “Today we were battling with the weather and the wind. For me to go up there and go a nice straight run, I was very happy with that. I didn’t feel the wind much at all.”
The championship implications are considerable for both classes with only three races remaining in the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season. Stanfield is attempting to protect his Pro Stock points lead against a tightly packed field of contenders, while Herrera is trying to overtake Gadson in a championship battle between Vance & Hines teammates. Both drivers also have an opportunity to earn additional qualifying bonus points during Saturday’s sessions.
Because of Friday’s weather disruptions, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will each have three qualifying sessions Saturday, including their Battle for the Saddle bonus-money competition. Qualifying resumes at 10:30 a.m. Central at Texas Motorplex, with final eliminations scheduled for Sunday. The FallNationals is the 18th of 20 events on the NHRA schedule and part of the track’s annual Stampede of Speed celebration.
NNIS, Texas — Friday’s results after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the 41st annual Texas NHRA FallNationals at Texas Motorplex, 18th of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday’s final eliminations.
Top Fuel — 1. Shawn Langdon, 3.648 seconds, 340.39 mph; 2. Tony Stewart, 3.668, 343.70; 3. Doug Kalitta, 3.668, 338.80; 4. Antron Brown, 3.677, 335.32; 5. Leah Pruett, 3.697, 334.20; 6. Maddi Gordon, 3.701, 333.43; 7. Justin Ashley, 3.713, 335.80; 8. Josh Hart, 3.714, 337.64; 9. Will Smith, 3.714, 335.80; 10. Clay Millican, 3.716, 332.45; 11. Billy Torrence, 3.746, 333.95; 12. Shawn Reed, 3.761, 334.70; 13. Dan Mercier, 3.785, 311.55; 14. Tony Schumacher, 3.809, 283.30; 15. Jake Sanders, 3.900, 304.47; 16. Lee Callaway, 4.026, 225.28.
Not Qualified: 17. Charles Loftin, 4.400, 195.58; 18. Cameron Ferre, 4.589, 169.57; 19. Spencer Massey, 6.986, 86.97.
Funny Car — 1. Jack Beckman, Chevy Camaro, 3.852, 330.13; 2. Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 3.855, 334.80; 3. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 3.855, 323.83; 4. Alexis DeJoria, Camaro, 3.873, 333.09; 5. J.R. Todd, Toyota GR Supra, 3.874, 337.13; 6. Jordan Vandergriff, Camaro, 3.881, 333.83; 7. Chad Green, Ford Mustang, 3.910, 330.32; 8. Blake Alexander, Toyota Supra, 3.914, 327.92; 9. Paul Lee, Charger, 3.921, 326.80; 10. Spencer Hyde, Mustang, 3.922, 323.93; 11. Dave Richards, Mustang, 3.925, 333.68; 12. Daniel Wilkerson, Mustang, 3.937, 330.35; 13. Ron Capps, GR Supra, 3.960, 319.83; 14. Hunter Green, Charger, 3.985, 321.31; 15. Jeff Arend, Charger, 4.050, 315.99; 16. Chris King, Charger, 4.077, 268.02.
Not Qualified: 17. Jim Campbell, 4.113, 291.58; 18. Austin Prock, 4.201, 218.63; 19. Jeff Diehl, 4.331, 214.65; 20. Terry Haddock, 4.954, 157.63.
Pro Stock — 1. Greg Stanfield, Chevy Camaro, 6.460, 212.80; 2. Troy Coughlin Jr., Camaro, 6.464, 212.74; 3. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.468, 210.51; 4. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.469, 211.56; 5. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.470, 211.63; 6. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.473, 213.03; 7. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.478, 212.42; 8. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.481, 212.41; 9. Matt Latino, Camaro, 6.481, 212.10; 10. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.484, 211.83; 11. Shane Tucker, Camaro, 6.502, 213.44; 12. Eric Latino, Camaro, 6.511, 210.24; 13. Chris Vang, Camaro, 6.516, 210.54; 14. Mason McGaha, Camaro, 6.521, 212.30; 15. Stephen Bell, Camaro, 6.527, 210.74; 16. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 6.539, 211.80.
Not Qualified: 17. Cody Anderson, 6.570, 197.34; 18. Cliff Mayes, 6.753, 206.77; 19. Jerry Tucker, 12.371, 91.34.
Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.676, 202.22; 2. Matt Smith, Buell, 6.709, 201.86; 3. Angie Smith, Buell, 6.725, 202.28; 4. Joey Gladstone, Buell, 6.768, 198.50; 5. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.790, 198.47; 6. Clayton Howey, Buell, 6.880, 170.62; 7. Marc Ingwersen, EBR, 6.997, 195.09; 8. Geno Scali, Suzuki, 7.009, 186.39; 9. Malcolm Phillips Jr., Suzuki, 7.033, 170.07; 10. GT Tonglet, Buell, 7.050, 190.52; 11. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 7.252, 154.34; 12. Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 7.794, 124.56; 13. Ryan Oehler, EBR, 8.156, 110.72; 14. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 8.182, 111.79; 15. Hector Arana, EBR, 8.667, 174.53; 16. Blaine Hale, Suzuki, 17.450, 40.42.
Not Qualified: 17. Hector Arana Jr, 64.999, no speed.
