{"id":51868,"date":"2025-05-18T23:00:14","date_gmt":"2025-05-19T04:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=51868"},"modified":"2025-05-19T06:27:25","modified_gmt":"2025-05-19T11:27:25","slug":"stewart-beckman-and-herrera-collect-wins-at-gerber-collision-glass-route-66-nhra-nationals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/18\/stewart-beckman-and-herrera-collect-wins-at-gerber-collision-glass-route-66-nhra-nationals\/","title":{"rendered":"Stewart, Beckman and Herrera collect wins at Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"

Winners Gaige Herrera, Jack Beckman and Tony Stewart. NHRA photo<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

Courtesy of the NHRA<\/em><\/p>\n

JOLIET, Ill. \u2013 Racing legend Tony Stewart moved into the NHRA Top Fuel points lead for the first time with his second win in three races on Sunday at Route 66 Raceway, defeating Justin Ashley in the final round of the 25th annual Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Top Fuel winner Tony Stewart. NHRA photo<\/p><\/div>\n

Jack Beckman (Funny Car) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also won the sixth of 20 races during the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.<\/p>\n

Stewart went 3.777-seconds at 329.10 mph in his 12,000-horsepower Rinnai dragster to hold off Ashley and earn his second Top Fuel win, just more than a month after he won for the first time in his Top Fuel career in Las Vegas. It\u2019s the fourth straight final round for Stewart and his standout team, as he also moved three points ahead of Shawn Langdon, who fell in the second round, to take the Top Fuel points lead for the first time ever.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Top Fuel winner Tony Stewart. NHRA photo<\/p><\/div>\n

Stewart, who made a career-best run of 3.679 in qualifying, defeated Terry Totten, Shawn Reed and Steve Torrence to reach the championship round. Ashley left first with a stout .042, but Stewart was right there with a .048, quickly running him down and cruising to another impressive victory in what is shaping up to be a special season for the former NASCAR and IndyCar champion.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve got to believe we\u2019re real now at this point,\u201d Stewart said. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t have said it before today. Even in Vegas (for his first win), I said we\u2019re making progress but we\u2019re not where we need to be yet. But it\u2019s hard to be the points leader and not think you\u2019re a contender now. I\u2019m very grateful and it\u2019s nice we\u2019ve got a consistent car.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were in a position where we had to pick up the pace when it got cooler. I ran a career best 3.67 yesterday. When you race Justin you have to just run your race. We decided that you just need to do your deal the same way. He\u2019s the best in the class and it\u2019s hard for a crew chief to make that up. He also has the ability to bring out the best in you. That makes this more special. We respect each other. That\u2019s what I love about NHRA.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a lot that can happen and a lot of racing left, but I\u2019m extremely proud of our team for the progress we\u2019ve made and where we were a year ago to where we are now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ashley advanced to the championship round for the second time this season thanks to round wins against Brittany Force, reigning world champion Antron Brown and No. 1 qualifier Doug Kalitta to reach the finals.<\/p>\n

\"\"

NHRA Funny Car winner Jack Beckman. NHRA photo<\/p><\/div>\n

Funny Car\u2019s Jack Beckman needed his own impressive performance on the starting line and he delivered, winning on a holeshot in the final round against John Force Racing teammate and reigning world champion Austin Prock with a run of 3.935 at 325.77 in his 12,000-horsepower PEAK Chevrolet SS.<\/p>\n

Prock went a quicker 3.933 at 329.02 and had his own solid reaction time, but Beckman went .049, which made the difference at the finish line as he earned his second victory this season and 37th in his professional career. Since returning to racing and taking over driving duties for the legendary John Force late last year, Beckman has four wins in 14 races, moving to second in points on Sunday with the memorable victory at his sponsor\u2019s race.<\/p>\n

\"\"

NHRA Funny Car winner Jack Beckman. NHRA photo<\/p><\/div>\n

The veteran and former world champion got past Dave Richards, Chad Green and Cruz Pedregon to set up the all-JFR final round. It ensured a fourth JFR win in the first six races of 2025, as both Beckman and Prock continue to roll at an impressive pace. On Sunday, though, it was Beckman who got back on track in a major way after first-round losses at the previous two events.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery win is great and I have a lot of trophies from places like Indy and my home track in Pomona but winning here in Chicago, a track that was off the tour for a while is as good as it gets,\u201d said Beckman, who was making his first appearance in Chicago since 2019. \u201cIt\u2019s also the headquarters for PEAK and we\u2019ve got 623 employees here.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was off the tour since 2019 and I never thought I\u2019d race here again. Austin Prock is great. Honestly, he\u2019s .01 or .02 better that the rest of us. You just have to do your best. This time it all seemed to work out for us. Overall, we were good when we had to be. I try to keep an even keel but at this point, I\u2019m more appreciative of every opportunity I get.\u201d<\/p>\n

Prock advanced to his third straight final, fourth this season and 24th in his career, defeating Bobby Bode, Paul Lee and defending event winner Matt Hagan. He will also remain in the points lead.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Pro Stock Motorcycle winner Gaige Herrera. NHRA photo<\/p><\/div>\n

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Gaige Herrera still hasn\u2019t tasted defeat at Route 66 Raceway, knocking off rival Matt Smith in the finals with a run of 6.777 at 198.90 on his RevZilla\/Mission Foods\/Vance & Hines Suzuki. It\u2019s the third straight Chicago victory for the back-to-back world champion and Herrera was stellar when it counted in the championship round against Smith.<\/p>\n

He laid down a .005 reaction time, keeping Smith at bay and winning for the second time this season and the 23rd time in his career. He\u2019s on track for another special season, too, it appears, qualifying No. 1 at the first three races, winning two of the first three races and also taking the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge on Saturday to sweep the weekend in Chicago.<\/p>\n

On Sunday, he knocked off John Hall and Chris Bostick to reach the finals before dispatching of Smith and leaving Chicago with the Pro Stock Motorcycle points lead.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Pro Stock Motorcycle winner Gaige Herrera. NHRA photo<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cThe final was fun. Matt whacked the throttle and then I whacked the throttle and we both played with the stage lights. He brings out the best in me but we\u2019ve got a fast hot rod,\u201d Herrera said. \u201cI had a great reaction time and we came out on top and that\u2019s our main goal.<\/p>\n

\u201cI expect games when I race Matt. I actually like it. It takes me back to my grudge racing days when you\u2019d race your friends and blow them kisses on the starting line. Matt and I haven\u2019t got to that point yet.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt seems like none of this is real. It\u2019s hard to keep track and hard to take it all in. I try to be a humble guy. I don\u2019t want to come out and say it bluntly because I prefer to just show it on the race track.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smith advanced to the final round for the third straight race in 2025, defeating Wesley Wells, Jianna Evaristo and Steve Johnson, and leaving Chicago second in points.<\/p>\n

The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series returns to action May 30-June 1 with the NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway in Epping, N.H.<\/p>\n

JOLIET, Ill. — Final finish order (1-16) at the 25th annual Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK Performance at Route 66 Raceway. The race is the sixth of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series.<\/p>\n

TOP FUEL:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Tony Stewart; 2. Justin Ashley; 3. Steve Torrence; 4. Doug Kalitta; 5. Shawn Reed; 6. Shawn Langdon; 7. Antron Brown; 8. Josh Hart; 9. Clay Millican; 10. Dan Mercier; 11. Kyle Wurtzel; 12. Spencer Massey; 13. Lex Joon; 14. Terry Totten; 15. Brittany Force; 16. T.J. Zizzo.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    FUNNY CAR:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Jack Beckman; 2. Austin Prock; 3. Matt Hagan; 4. Cruz Pedregon; 5. Paul Lee; 6. Ron Capps; 7. Chad Green; 8. Bob Tasca III; 9. Spencer Hyde; 10. Alexis DeJoria; 11. Blake Alexander; 12. Bobby Bode; 13. Dave Richards; 14. Buddy Hull; 15. J.R. Todd; 16. Daniel Wilkerson<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE:<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Gaige Herrera; 2. Matt Smith; 3. Steve Johnson; 4. Chris Bostick; 5. Richard Gadson; 6. Jianna Evaristo; 7. John Hall; 8. Geno Scali; 9. Chase Van Sant; 10. Ryan Oehler; 11. Marc Ingwersen; 12. Kelly Clontz; 13. Angie Smith; 14. Wesley Wells; 15. Lance Bonham.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        JOLIET, Ill. — Sunday’s final results from the 25th annual Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK Performance at Route 66 Raceway. The race is the sixth of 20 in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series:<\/p>\n

        Top Fuel — Tony Stewart, 3.777 seconds, 329.10 mph def. Justin Ashley, 3.818 seconds, 324.12 mph.<\/p>\n

        Funny Car — Jack Beckman, Chevy Camaro, 3.935, 325.77 def. Austin Prock, Camaro, 3.933, 329.02.<\/p>\n

        Pro Stock Motorcycle — Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.777, 198.90 def. Matt Smith, Buell, 6.805, 199.02.<\/p>\n

        Super Stock — Donna Morris, Chevy II, 10.696, 118.18 def. Troy Galbraith, Chevy II, 9.138, 136.40.<\/p>\n

        Stock Eliminator — Marion Stephenson, Dodge Challenger, 11.024, 77.88 def. Joey Shipp, Chevy Nova, Foul – Red Light.<\/p>\n

        Super Comp — Jeff Cheney, Dragster, 8.923, 172.56 def. Kimbra Fuesting, Dragster, 8.917, 172.25.<\/p>\n

        Super Gas — David Dahlem, Chevy, 9.943, 153.82 def. Nathan Prose, Chevy Camaro, 9.955, 164.91.<\/p>\n

        Top Dragster — Greg Rice, Dragster, 6.151, 219.69 def. Tony Elrod, Dragster, 7.226, 178.50.<\/p>\n

        Pro Modified — Mason Wright, Chevy Camaro, 5.734, 251.25 def. JR Gray, Camaro, Foul – Red Light.<\/p>\n

        Top Fuel Motorcycle — Larry McBride, Custom, 6.976, 64.13 def. Bob Malloy, American, Broke – No Show.<\/p>\n

        Factory Stock Showdown — Jason Dietsch, Ford Mustang, 7.725, 177.93 def. Lee Hartman, Dodge Challenger, 7.716, 174.77.<\/p>\n

        Factory X — Jesse Alexandra, Chevy Camaro, 6.896, 197.80 def. Conner Statler, Camaro, 6.980, 182.08.<\/p>\n

        PEAK Street Car Shootout presented by Sick the Magazine — Tom Bailey, Camaro, 5.811, 253.23 def. Bryant Goldstone, Javelin, Foul – Red Light.<\/p>\n

        JOLIET, Ill. — Final round-by-round results from the 25th annual Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK Performance at Route 66 Raceway, the sixth of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series:<\/p>\n

        TOP FUEL:<\/p>\n

        ROUND ONE — Josh Hart, 3.733, 330.07 def. Clay Millican, 3.746, 328.70; Shawn Reed, 3.750, 334.40 def. Dan Mercier, 3.748, 329.26; Antron Brown, 3.689, 337.16 def. T.J. Zizzo, 10.108, 80.54; Tony Stewart, 3.694, 329.26 def. Terry Totten, 4.276, 212.43; Doug Kalitta, 3.724, 332.02 def. Lex Joon, 3.975, 255.19; Shawn Langdon, 3.733, 330.88 def. Kyle Wurtzel, 3.783, 316.60; Justin Ashley, 3.706, 336.49 def. Brittany Force, 5.149, 142.84; Steve Torrence, 3.735, 333.08 def. Spencer Massey, 3.784, 324.12;<\/p>\n

        QUARTERFINALS — Torrence, 3.772, 331.69 def. Langdon, 5.776, 150.36; Kalitta, 3.723, 332.43 def. Hart, 9.266, 78.73; Stewart, 4.539, 261.47 def. Reed, 5.043, 267.11; Ashley, 4.407, 295.53 def. Brown, 7.178, 113.87;<\/p>\n

        SEMIFINALS — Stewart, 3.762, 329.18 def. Torrence, 4.021, 268.28; Ashley, 3.816, 326.87 def. Kalitta, 4.803, 178.42;<\/p>\n

        FINAL — Stewart, 3.777, 329.10 def. Ashley, 3.818, 324.12.<\/p>\n

        FUNNY CAR:<\/p>\n

        ROUND ONE — Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 4.586, 268.65 def. Daniel Wilkerson, Mustang, 9.021, 92.78; Cruz Pedregon, Dodge Charger, 3.948, 328.54 def. J.R. Todd, Toyota GR Supra, 5.398, 189.82; Jack Beckman, Chevy Camaro, 3.880, 331.04 def. Dave Richards, Mustang, 4.250, 234.57; Paul Lee, Charger, 4.229, 225.11 def. Buddy Hull, Charger, 4.293, 252.95; Matt Hagan, Charger, 3.916, 330.39 def. Blake Alexander, Charger, 4.036, 320.28; Ron Capps, GR Supra, 3.905, 331.69 def. Alexis DeJoria, Charger, 3.913, 330.23; Austin Prock, Camaro, 3.885, 333.66 def. Bobby Bode, Mustang, 4.184, 226.66; Chad Green, Mustang, 3.866, 328.78 def. Spencer Hyde, Mustang, 3.889, 331.61;<\/p>\n

        QUARTERFINALS — Beckman, 11.637, 77.70 def. Green, Foul – Red Light; Prock, 4.693, 174.66 def. Lee, Foul – Red Light; Hagan, 3.919, 328.62 def. Capps, 3.957, 326.08; Pedregon, 3.947, 327.03 def. Tasca III, 7.587, 82.16;<\/p>\n

        SEMIFINALS — Beckman, 4.257, 314.83 def. Pedregon, 7.005, 99.25; Prock, 3.931, 329.75 def. Hagan, 3.942, 327.90;<\/p>\n

        FINAL — Beckman, 3.935, 325.77 def. Prock, 3.933, 329.02.<\/p>\n

        PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE:<\/p>\n

        ROUND ONE — John Hall, 6.836, 197.88 def. Marc Ingwersen, 6.886, 195.14; Geno Scali, Suzuki, 7.085, 191.05 def. Angie Smith, Buell, 7.095, 194.88; Jianna Evaristo, Buell, 6.831, 196.90 def. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.830, 197.16; Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.796, 195.19 def. Ryan Oehler, 6.873, 196.62; Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 6.868, 195.56 def. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 6.943, 181.62; Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.723, 200.98 def. Lance Bonham, Buell, 9.263, 134.85; Matt Smith, Buell, 6.730, 202.82 def. Wesley Wells, Suzuki, 7.179, 186.64; Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.713, 200.86 was unopposed;<\/p>\n

        QUARTERFINALS — Bostick, 6.901, 195.22 def. Scali, 7.024, 190.35; M. Smith, 6.799, 200.20 def. Evaristo, 6.832, 198.64; Johnson, 6.809, 195.36 def. Gadson, 6.765, 199.08; Herrera, 6.743, 199.43 def. Hall, 6.836, 197.39;<\/p>\n

        SEMIFINALS — M. Smith, 6.797, 200.29 def. Johnson, 6.862, 195.39; Herrera, 6.763, 199.85 def. Bostick, 6.886, 195.39;<\/p>\n

        FINAL — Herrera, 6.777, 198.90 def. M. Smith, 6.805, 199.02.<\/p>\n

        JOLIET, Ill. — Point standings (top 10) following the 25th annual Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK Performance at Route 66 Raceway, the sixth of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series –<\/p>\n

        Top Fuel<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. Tony Stewart, 514; 2. Shawn Langdon, 511; 3. Antron Brown, 447; 4. Doug Kalitta, 415; 5. Justin Ashley, 385; 6. Brittany Force, 334; 7. Steve Torrence, 302; 8. Clay Millican, 296; 9. Josh Hart, 279; 10. Jasmine Salinas, 271.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Funny Car<\/p>\n

            \n
          1. Austin Prock, 506; 2. Jack Beckman, 455; 3. Matt Hagan, 423; 4. Paul Lee, 414; 5. Ron Capps, 347; 6. Chad Green, 319; 7. Daniel Wilkerson, 286; 8. Cruz Pedregon, 284; 9. Bob Tasca III, 273; 10. J.R. Todd, 264.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            Pro Stock Motorcycle<\/p>\n

              \n
            1. Gaige Herrera, 332; 2. Matt Smith, 324; 3. Richard Gadson, 221; 4. Chase Van Sant, 159; 5. Steve Johnson, 157; 6. Angie Smith, 150; 7. (tie) Kelly Clontz, 139; Jianna Evaristo, 139; 9. John Hall, 137; 10. Chris Bostick, 135.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                Courtesy of the NHRA JOLIET, Ill. \u2013 Racing legend Tony Stewart moved into the NHRA Top Fuel points lead for the first time with his second win in three races on Sunday at Route 66 Raceway, defeating Justin Ashley in the final round of the 25th annual Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":676,"featured_media":51872,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[4],"tags":[886,927,100,6,285,68],"class_list":["post-51868","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nhra","tag-gaige-herrera","tag-gerber-collision-glass-route-66-nhra-nationals","tag-jack-beckman","tag-nhra","tag-route-66-dragway","tag-tony-stewart"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/WC_JFA-768x512-1.webp?fit=768%2C512","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7hzTZ-duA","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51868","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/676"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=51868"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51868\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":51878,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51868\/revisions\/51878"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/51872"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=51868"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=51868"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=51868"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}