NHRA Highlights: The Four-Wide Carolina Nationals

Funny Car points leader Austin Prock won the first four-wide playoff race in NHRA history at the NHRA 4-Wide Carolina Nationals. Justin Ashley (Top Fuel), Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock), and Richard Gadson (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also won at zMAX Dragway.

Austin Prock Triumphs at Historic NHRA 4-Wide Carolina Nationals

Funny Car points leader Austin Prock dominated the inaugural four-wide playoff race in NHRA history on September 21, 2025, at zMAX Dragway. Piloting his Cornwell Quality Tools Chevrolet SS, Prock clocked a 3.912-second run at 332.43 mph to defeat Matt Hagan, Chad Green, and Dan Wilkerson in the final round of the NHRA 4-Wide Carolina Nationals. This victory marked his eighth win of the 2025 season, his 20th career triumph, and completed a sweep of all three four-wide races this year.

After a setback in Reading, where he fell in the second round, Prock rebounded impressively, winning the first two quads and edging out Hagan at the finish line to extend his points lead to 79 over Hagan. “This was a big win, especially after the semifinals shook things up,” Prock said. “The ‘Prock Rocket’ was dialed in all weekend, and winning here for HendrickCars.com is special.”

Justin Ashley Shines in Top Fuel

In Top Fuel, Justin Ashley secured his fourth victory of 2025 with a 3.784-second pass at 329.83 mph in his Scag Power Equipment dragster, outpacing Shawn Langdon, Doug Kalitta, and Clay Millican. Ashley’s stellar 0.043 reaction time in the final round sealed the win, following a historic triple holeshot in the prior quad against Langdon, Brittany Force, and Tony Stewart.

This marked his 19th career win and second at zMAX Dragway, narrowing the points gap to 38 behind leader Kalitta. “Winning the first four-wide playoff race feels incredible,” Ashley said. “With four races left, every moment counts.”

Dallas Glenn Dominates Pro Stock

Pro Stock’s Dallas Glenn continued his playoff hot streak, winning his second consecutive race with a 6.554-second run at 209.95 mph in his RAD Torque Systems Chevrolet Camaro, besting Greg Anderson, Erica Enders, and Aaron Stanfield. Glenn, who qualified No. 1 at both playoff events, celebrated his sixth win of the season and third straight at zMAX Dragway, extending his points lead to 79 over Anderson.

“I knew we had a strong car, so I pushed to be more aggressive,” Glenn said. “We’re keeping the pressure on.”

Richard Gadson Claims Pro Stock Motorcycle

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Richard Gadson earned his first playoff victory and third win of 2025, riding his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki to a 6.803-second pass at 199.55 mph against Matt Smith, Angie Smith, and Jianna Evaristo. A lightning-fast 0.015 reaction time propelled Gadson to the points lead, eight points ahead of Matt Smith, after teammate Gaige Herrera’s early exit.

“Being the points leader feels unreal,” Gadson said. “I raced with pride for my team.”

The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series continues September 26-28 at the NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals in St. Louis.