(Photos by Kim Fuller) • Kalitta, Prock, Glenn and Hall qualify No. 1 at Pacific Raceways for the NHRA Northwest Nationals.
Top Fuel
Doug Kalitta easily held on to the No. 1 position, as Friday’s stellar pass of 3.671 at 335.90 in his 12,000-horsepower Mac Tools dragster gave the veteran his sixth No. 1 qualifier through 11 races. Kalitta also made a strong run to close out qualifying (3.720), qualifying No. 1 for the 64th time in his career and giving the veteran confidence he can go to the winner’s circle for the first time in 2025.
“Tomorrow, obviously, is another opportunity [for a first season win], just hoping to go rounds,” Kalitta said. “It’s just a matter of getting yourself to the final and getting a shot at it. It’s been a while since we made to the final.
Shawn Langdon qualified second with a 3.689 at 332.92 and Brittany Force took third with a 3.703 at a track-record 340.47.
Funny Car
Austin Prock, reigning NHRA world champion saved his best for last, going 3.879-seconds at 332.43 mph in his Cornwell Tools Chevrolet SS to slip past Matt Hagan in the final round of the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge to close out qualifying.
It gave Prock his second bonus win of the season and also gave the points leader his fourth No. 1 qualifier of what’s turned into another brilliant Funny Car season. Pacific Raceways has certainly turned into a special place for Prock, too, as his first career NHRA came in Seattle and he followed by sweeping the weekend a year ago. The standout is on track to do that again after two stellar days in Seattle and he opens eliminations against Arizona rookie Dylan Winefsky driving his family “Nitro Moose” funny car, looking for his third straight win of the year. “That was definitely gratifying. That was a clutch performance by this Cornwell Tools team,” Prock said. “I’m really happy to be behind the wheel of this thing.”
Matt Hagan qualified second, going 3.887 at 332.43 in his thrilling side-by-side duel with Prock, and J.R. Todd took third with a 3.901 at 329.26.
Pro Stock
Dallas Glenn put on an amazing show on Saturday at his home track, setting the track record during both qualifying sessions, including a career-best 6.462 at 212.73 in his RAD Torque Systems Chevrolet Camaro to earn the No. 1 qualifier spot and defeat KB Titan teammate Greg Anderson in the final round of the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge.
Cody Coughlin qualified second with a 6.469 at 211.66 and Anderson took third with a 6.472 at 212.36.
Pro Stock Motorcycle
John Hall continues to be on a terrific run, wrapping up his first career No. 1 qualifier and picking up his first win in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge by defeating Matt Smith with a run of 6.729 at 200.26 on his American Rebel Beer/Matt Smith Racing Buell on Friday at Pacific Raceways. Gaige Herrera qualified second with a 6.721 at 201.76 and Matt Smith took third with a 6.733 at 201.88.
The TV schedule for Eliminations for the Muckleshoot Casino Resort NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways begins Sunday, July 21, FS1 will televise two hours of qualifying coverage at 1:00 p.m. (ET). Sunday, July 21, FOX will televise three hours of live finals coverage at 4 p.m. (ET).