NHRA News: Reed, Pedregon, Glenn, and Hall win at Maple Grove
The 2025 NHRA Countdown to the Championship roared to life at Maple Grove Raceway, delivering a thrilling weekend of upsets, collisions, and emotional victories that set the stage for an unforgettable playoff run.
Top Fuel: Shawn Reed’s Triumphant Return
Shawn Reed claimed his first NHRA Top Fuel victory on Sunday at the 40th annual NHRA Reading Nationals, presented by Nitro Fish, defeating points leader Doug Kalitta in the final round.
Piloting his 12,000-horsepower Reed Trucking & Excavating dragster, Reed ran 3.844 seconds at 326.63 mph, capping a remarkable comeback just two months after a crash in Seattle cost him his left index finger. After Jordan Vandergriff filled in for races in Brainerd and Indianapolis, Reed returned in top form, qualifying fourth and defeating Kyle Satenstein, Shawn Langdon, and No. 1 qualifier Clay Millican en route to the final. His victory over Kalitta moved him to fifth in points, marking a storybook moment.
“This weekend was unreal,” Reed said. “After Seattle, Jordan kept our team going, and this car’s been ready to win. I’m so thankful for my crew—this one’s for them.”
Kalitta, who took the points lead, reached his fourth final of 2025 with wins over Antron Brown, Tony Stewart, and Steve Torrence. A dramatic second-round collision with Stewart saw both drivers walk away unharmed, though Stewart’s dragster briefly went on its side. Kalitta holds an 18-point lead over Stewart and 33 over teammate Shawn Langdon.
Bad accident between #DougKalitta and #TonyStewart.
Kalitta’s dragster came across the center line and collided with Stewart just pass the finish line. Both walked away think goodness. #FS1 pic.twitter.com/n6l35kR4hz— 🎥~TennesseeSportsNet~🎥 (@TSNSports) September 14, 2025
Funny Car: Cruz Pedregon Ends Drought
Cruz Pedregon snapped a 55-race winless streak, earning his 40th career victory and first since 2022 in Funny Car. Driving his 12,000-horsepower Snap-On Tools Dodge Hellcat, Pedregon ran 3.969 at 330.63 to edge out Blake Alexander in the final. After defeating Bob Tasca III, points leader Austin Prock, and Paul Lee, Pedregon’s third Maple Grove win propelled him to sixth in points.
“This one’s special,” said the two-time world champion. “I doubted myself, but we built a hungry young team and trusted the process. We stayed aggressive, and it paid off.”
Alexander reached his first final of 2025 with wins over Matt Hagan, No. 1 qualifier Spencer Hyde, and Ron Capps. Prock maintains a 25-point lead over Jack Beckman and 29 over Capps.
Pro Stock: Dallas Glenn Dominates
Points leader Dallas Glenn solidified his dominance in Pro Stock, securing his fifth win of 2025 and 18th overall with a 6.557 at 209.23 in his RAD Torque Systems Chevrolet Camaro against rookie Cody Coughlin. After qualifying No. 1, Glenn dispatched Shane Tucker, Deric Kramer, and KB Titan Racing teammate Greg Anderson, who was disqualified in the semifinals for crossing the starting line beams twice. Glenn’s first Maple Grove win extended his points lead to 62 over Anderson.
“It was a wild weekend,” Glenn said. “This place is called the House of Chaos for a reason. My car’s dialed in—I just need to keep riding this wave.”
Coughlin reached his first final with victories over Troy Coughlin Jr., Erica Enders, and Eric Latino.
Pro Stock Motorcycle: John Hall Shines
John Hall surged into the championship hunt, winning his second race of 2025 and first at Maple Grove on his American Rebel Light/Matt Smith Racing Buell. Hall’s 6.802 at 199.70 in the final outran teammate Matt Smith, marking his fourth career win. After defeating Kelly Clontz, back-to-back world champ Gaige Herrera, and rookie Brayden Davis, Hall tied for second in points, just six points behind Smith.
“Every win is special, but doing it in the Countdown is huge,” Hall said. “Matt and Angie Smith gave me this chance, and I’m grateful for it.”
Smith reached his 85th career final and took the points lead with wins over Brandon Litten, Jianna Evaristo, and Richard Gadson. He leads Herrera and Hall by six points, with Gadson nine points back in fourth.
The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series continues September 19-21 at the NHRA 4-Wide Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte.