Pruett and Beckman Triumph at NHRA New England Nationals; Top Qualifiers at Thunder Valley

Leah Pruett wins the rain-delayed NHRA New England Nationals at Bristol Dragway, defeating points leader Shawn Langdon. It is her first victory of 2026 and the 13th of her career.

Pruett delivers 3.794 seconds at 332.43 mph in her Dodge//SRT Top Fueler, edging Langdon’s 3.852 at 328.54. The performance underscores sharp execution throughout eliminations.

After stepping away post-2023 to start a family, her return shows rhythm and range. The form also positions her strongly for the forthcoming Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals.

Jack Beckman converts Friday’s Funny Car final, beating Jordan Vandergriff with a 4.017-second, 318.55-mph pass in his PEAK Chevrolet SS. The result opens his 2026 account decisively.

It is Beckman’s 38th career win, following a runner-up in Maryland. The team emphasizes predictable builds across the run, managing a week-long delay without compromising the tuning window.

Matt Hagan takes Funny Car provisional pole at 4.009 and 319.60 in Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage Dodge. Beckman sits second, with Spencer Hyde third after a 4.030 at 319.07.

Hagan highlights Bristol’s smoother surface and expects improved grip as rubber builds. That should compress gaps and reward crews reading lane balance through Saturday’s temperature swing.

Greg Anderson leads Pro Stock at 6.673 seconds and 204.11 mph in his HendrickCars Camaro, his sixth No. 1 in nine races. The output fits his long-running Bristol authority.

He is the defending winner here. A 2001 breakthrough and last year’s 1,000th round win add weight to his impressive career milestones.

Matt Latino and points leader Dallas Glenn shadow Anderson after competitive runs, keeping pressure on overnight.

Gaige Herrera rebounds from Maryland with a 6.667 at 196.59 on his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki, topping both Pro Stock Motorcycle sessions for his first No. 1 of 2026.

[p/fervogear_custom]Herrera’s 6.667 tops both sessions, delivering his first No. 1 of 2026 and the 32nd of his career.[/fervogear_custom]

It is the 32nd No. 1 of his career. Ryan Oehler and Angie Smith complete the top three, with Smith arriving off a Maryland victory.

Qualifying continues Saturday at Bristol Dragway. Early pace-setters Pruett, Beckman, Hagan, Anderson, and Herrera shape the narrative, reinforced by Friday’s Friday night recap as conditions evolve.

Visual Summary

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.

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