NHRA News: The Battle for the Top at Brainerd

The August sun beat down on Brainerd International Raceway, casting long shadows over the drag strip as the 43rd annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals roared into action on Friday, August 15, 2025.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

The air buzzed with the scent of nitromethane and the anticipation of a pivotal moment in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. This was the 13th of 20 events, the penultimate race before the Countdown to the Championship, and every driver knew the stakes were sky-high. Qualifying wasn’t just about position—it was about momentum, points, and bragging rights, especially with the American Rebel Light “Battle for the Rebel Axe” bonuses on the line.

Friday: The Opening Salvo

As the first of four qualifying rounds kicked off, the Top Fuel class saw reigning world champion Antron Brown set the tone. Piloting his Matco Tools dragster, Brown unleashed a blistering 3.742-second pass at 334.90 mph, claiming the provisional No. 1 spot and the $4,000 “Battle for the Rebel Axe” bonus. The crowd roared as he climbed onto the “Throne of the North,” a quirky seat made of American Rebel Light beer cases, clutching a custom cigar-box guitar trophy. “The track was tricky, but we got it right,” Brown said, his eyes fixed on a seventh Brainerd win. “This sets us up strong for tomorrow.”

Clay Millican nipped at Brown’s heels with a 3.746 at 330.96 mph, just .004 seconds shy, while points leader Shawn Langdon held third with a 3.753 at 334.82 mph. The field was tight, with Doug Kalitta and Brittany Force rounding out the top five, their 12,000-horsepower machines shaking the Minnesota earth.

In Funny Car, Austin Prock, the season’s dominant force, laid down a 3.893 at 331.45 mph in his Cornwell Quality Tools Chevrolet SS. The run earned him the $4,000 bonus and the Rebel Axe guitar, adding to his trophy case as he chased a regular-season championship. “This Camaro loves American Rebel Light races,” Prock grinned, noting his car’s slight leftward pull but unshaken confidence. Jack Beckman, the 2012 world champion, was second with a 3.907, while Ron Capps, a Brainerd legend with seven wins, took third at 3.920.

Pro Stock saw hometown hero Greg Anderson, a Duluth native, steal the show. His HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro clocked a 6.614 at 204.76 mph, earning the $2,000 bonus and a seat on the “Throne of the North.” “I told my guys I wanted that guitar,” Anderson said, his voice thick with pride. “This track’s special to me.” Dallas Glenn, the points leader and two-time Brainerd winner, was a close second at 6.616, with Erica Enders third at 6.623, hungry for a turnaround after a tough season.

Lucas Oil Nationals Greg Anderson. Photo by NHRA

Saturday: The Game Changers

Saturday dawned cooler, with overcast skies and a track primed for record runs after overnight rain. The third qualifying session saw Top Fuel shake up. Tony Stewart, the IndyCar and NASCAR icon turned drag racer, fired off a 3.732 in his American Rebel Light dragster, briefly stealing the spotlight. But Brittany Force answered with a 3.697 at a track-record 340.82 mph, and Doug Kalitta sealed the deal with a stunning 3.655 at 339.36 mph, claiming his seventh No. 1 qualifier of the season.

“The car stayed right in the middle,” Kalitta said. “My guys are dialed in.” Jordan Vandergriff, subbing for Shawn Reed, impressed with a career-best 3.705 for third.

Lucas Oil Nationals Doug Kalitta. All photos supplied by NHRA

Funny Car flipped when Jack Beckman, driving the PEAK Chevrolet SS, dropped a 3.879 at 330.63 mph in the opening session, snatching the No. 1 spot from Prock, who held second at 3.893. Hunter Green surged to third with a 3.906 in the final session. Beckman, a year into his return as John Force’s replacement, was jubilant. “We’re back,” he said, eyeing his fourth No. 1 of 2025.

Lucas Oil Nationals Jack Beckman. Photo by NHRA

In Pro Stock, Anderson tightened his grip with a 6.555 at 207.59, just missing the track record. “It’s been two perfect days,” he said, already dreaming of his first Brainerd win since 2011. Glenn stayed close at 6.569, and Matt Hartford climbed to third with a 6.575.

The Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge added drama. In Top Fuel, Shawn Langdon’s .059 reaction time gave him a holeshot win over Kalitta (3.742 vs. 3.677), earning his fourth bonus victory. Beckman outran Matt Hagan in Funny Car (3.942 vs. 6.636), and Anderson edged Glenn in Pro Stock (6.561 vs. 6.612), each pocketing crucial Countdown points.

The Final Lineup

As Saturday’s qualifying wrapped, the fields were set for Sunday’s eliminations. Kalitta led Top Fuel, facing Terry Totten in round one, while Beckman took on Dave Richards in Funny Car, and Anderson squared off against Chris Vang in Pro Stock. The sportsman classes, with Neff, DeForrest, Bares, Firestone, and Thorp atop their fields, promised tight battles. Only 14 Top Fuel cars qualified, guaranteeing a bye run for the Kalitta-Totten winner.

The Brainerd pits hummed with energy as crews prepped for race day. Fans, clutching their Rebel Axe replicas and sipping American Rebel Light, debated the outcomes. Brown, seeking to close the points gap, eyed Kalitta’s consistency. Prock and Beckman traded barbs about who’d rule Funny Car. Anderson, the local legend, felt the weight of his hometown crowd. The 2025 Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals had set the stage for a Sunday showdown that would echo through the Countdown.