Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals Sunday Highlights

Fans filled Route 66 Raceway for the final day of eliminations at the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals. Cool weather greeted everyone again, leading to ideal conditions for fast runs and a chance to see more records fall as the action unfolded.

Excitement started early when Top Fuel opened round one with Josh Hart barely edging out Clay Millican by just .006 seconds. Hart’s 3.733-second pass beat Millican’s 3.746, providing a close side-by-side battle that set the tone for a big day in Joliet.

The next highlight came as Shawn Reed pulled off the first holeshot win of the morning, beating Dan Mercier. Reed left with a .070 reaction time while Mercier was slower at .101. For more on reaction times and their impact in drag racing, see this detailed explanation from NHRA’s official site.

That little edge helped Reed win with a 3.750 to Mercier’s quicker 3.748. Reed’s crew chief Rob Wendland explained that deep staging played a role in snatching that slim victory.

Meanwhile, Antron Brown wowed the crowd with a 3.689 run after TJ Zizzo smoked the tires. Brown also pushed his car past 337 mph, extending his string of high-speed passes for the season. Learn more about Top Fuel dragster speeds from NASA’s aerodynamics research.

Defending his spot atop the standings, Shawn Langdon kept the pressure on with a solid 3.733-second victory over Kyle Wurtzel. Wurtzel posted a personal best for the weekend, running 3.783 at over 316 mph, which marked a big improvement after his struggles in qualifying.

Doug Kalitta got a strong challenge from Lex Joon, who got off the line first and kept it close before falling back with a 3.975 effort at 255 mph. Kalitta advanced with a clean 3.724 lap, surviving the early test.

The round’s most anticipated run featured Justin Ashley against Brittany Force. Ashley won with a quick 3.706 after Force’s Monster Energy dragster lost traction early, but the big story came on the starting line. For insights into drag racing traction dynamics, check out this study by SAE International.

Force’s .047 reaction time was great, but Ashley left even quicker with an .018 light—a rare feat and one of the best reaction times seen all year in Top Fuel. Every win mattered as contenders vied for a place in round two, and lane choice became key.

Round two pairings featured Tony Stewart against Shawn Reed, Doug Kalitta facing Josh Hart, Antron Brown matched with Justin Ashley, and current points leader Shawn Langdon up against Steve Torrence. With each matchup, fans anticipated even more side-by-side thrills in the hunt for the Route 66 Nationals title.

Throughout the day, drivers, teams, and fans kept a close eye on weather conditions and track performance as each run built on the momentum from earlier rounds. For real-time weather impact analysis, refer to NOAA’s meteorological data.

Teams relied on their crew chiefs and careful adjustments to take advantage of the cool, grippy surface. The event delivered dramatic moments, fast times, and steady competition among the series’ top names.

With record speeds and surprise performances, Route 66 Raceway proved once again why it remains a celebrated stop on the NHRA circuit.

As eliminations reached their final rounds, enthusiasm remained high both in the pits and in the grandstands. Drivers looked to capitalize on their early round progress and add valuable championship points.

The Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals closed with more memorable races and highlighted the tight competition that defines drag racing at its best, with eyes already turning toward the next stop on the NHRA tour.

Nicholas Rivera

Nicholas Rivera delivers NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car news, including eliminator-round results and reaction-time stats. He brings track-side interviews, contender profiles, and championship-point breakdowns straight from drag-racing’s biggest national events.