NHRA News: Force, Hagan, Glenn, Herrera take wins at Dodge Nevada Nationals
In a fitting farewell to her full-time racing career, Brittany Force (pictured) delivered a masterful performance at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, surging past Shawn Langdon in the final round to secure her 19th career victory at the 25th annual Dodge NHRA Nevada Nationals powered by Direct Connection. The win not only capped a dominant weekend but also etched her name alone atop the list of most successful female Top Fuel drivers, surpassing the legendary Shirley Muldowney.
Force’s teammates in Funny Car (Matt Hagan), Pro Stock (Dallas Glenn), and Pro Stock Motorcycle (Gaige Herrera) joined the celebration, each claiming their 19th victory of the 20-race 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season—and their fifth in the six-event Countdown to the Championship playoffs. With just one race remaining, the stage is set for high-stakes drama at Pomona.
Top Fuel: Force’s Record-Breaking Farewell Roars to Life
Force’s Chevrolet Accessories dragster thundered down the quarter-mile in 3.704 seconds at a blistering 337.33 mph, edging out Langdon’s 3.727-second effort at 333.91 mph. It marked her second win of 2025 and fifth in Las Vegas, igniting a thunderous crowd response as the retiring star aims to bow out on a high note.
Starting from the No. 1 qualifying spot—where she shattered the track speed record on Friday—Force dismantled Clay Millican and Tony Stewart en route to the finals. Her .065-second reaction time in the championship matchup gave her the early edge, and she never looked back. The victory broke a tie with Muldowney, cementing Force’s legacy while adding back-to-back fall triumphs at this desert venue to her storied resume.
“This win feels extra special,” Force beamed post-race. “Hitting that 19th victory as the winningest woman in Top Fuel history? It’s surreal. With my retirement announcement, my team kept pushing for one more trophy to send me off right. We poured our hearts into this car, and ending strong after such a drought… it’s everything.”
Langdon, chasing his own redemption, advanced to his sixth final of the season (51st career) by toppling Kelly Harper, Justin Ashley, and teammate Doug Kalitta. His semifinal upset over Kalitta kept the points battle alive, but Kalitta’s 144-point lead over Langdon (and 163 over Ashley) looms large heading into the finale. The defending champ eyes his second title in three years.
Funny Car: Hagan’s Heroics Keep the Chase Alive
Four-time champion Matt Hagan refused to let the crown slip away just yet, unleashing a weekend-best 3.877 seconds at 327.03 mph in his American Rebel Beer Dodge//SRT Hellcat to dethrone points leader Austin Prock in an electrifying final. The upset not only delayed Prock’s clinch but delivered Hagan his third win of the year and 55th overall—his sixth in Vegas.
Hagan’s Tony Stewart Racing squad was flawless, posting twin 3.87-second runs amid a pressure-packed day. After dispatching Cruz Pedregon, Chad Green, and Daniel Wilkerson, he capitalized on Prock’s tire smoke to seal the deal. “We made this points race interesting,” Hagan grinned. “No one saw Prock smoking the tires coming, but we dialed in what the track could take. This was a must-win—crew chiefs like Mike Knudsen win races; I just steer straight.”
Prock, seeking a second straight title, powered into his 12th final of 2025 (32nd career) with victories over Jason Rupert, J.R. Todd, and Bob Tasca III. He still holds a commanding 101-point edge over Hagan, positioning him to wrap up the championship at Pomona.
Pro Stock: Glenn’s Redemption Seals a Dominant Drive
Erasing last year’s Vegas heartbreak, points leader Dallas Glenn delivered a clinic on Sunday, outgunning Matt Hartford in the final with a razor-sharp 6.602 seconds at 206.61 mph in his RAD Torque Systems Chevrolet Camaro. The victory—his eighth of the season and third in Las Vegas—swelled his lead to 92 points over Greg Anderson, avenging a semifinal loss here that fueled Anderson’s 2024 comeback.
Glenn was untouchable, felling Dave Connolly, 10-time Vegas victor Erica Enders, and Anderson in the semis. His .026-second holeshot against Anderson (followed by a .006 edge over Hartford) showcased nerves of steel. “Last year, I watched my lead evaporate—nerve-wracking,” Glenn admitted. “This? Pure relief. I’m relaxed now, confident. That four-way battle toughened me up.”
Hartford, reaching his fourth final of 2025 (21st career), earned it by ousting Deric Kramer, Fernando Cuadra Jr., and Jeg Coughlin Jr.
Pro Stock Motorcycle: Herrera’s Hot Streak Ignites Title Thriller
Defending two-time champ Gaige Herrera rode a wave of perfection to his third consecutive Vegas win, edging Angie Smith in the final with a 6.809-second blast at 198.17 mph aboard his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki. The triumph—his seventh this season and 28th career—trimmed teammate Richard Gadson’s points lead to a razor-thin 21, less than one round’s worth with the finale looming.
From No. 1 qualifying, Herrera dispatched Karen Stoffer and Clayton Howey before a semifinal showdown with Gadson. Trailing the leader’s flawless .000 light, Herrera’s .005 reaction and 6.825-second run stole the show. He doubled down against Smith for the hardware. “Beating my teammate in the semis? Epic,” Herrera said. “We’re both starving for this third straight title. Unlike the last two years’ clinches, this finale will be a dogfight—I’d love to face Gadson there under the lights.”
Smith, into her second final of 2025 (11th career), got there via wins over Freddie Camarena, Matt Smith, and Brayden Davis.
The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series roars back November 13-16 for the season finale: the 60th annual In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip. With championships hanging in the balance, expect fireworks.