Langdon, Beckman, Stanfield, and Smith Lead Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals

Shawn Langdon opens the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals by taking provisional Top Fuel pole on Friday at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park with 3.727 seconds at 334.98 mph.

The Kalitta Motorsports driver secures his sixth No. 1 of 2026 and 28th career, targeting a third Indy victory and a return to the regular-season lead over teammate Doug Kalitta.

He calls the lap a needed confidence boost after recent inconsistency, underlining capability within his group against a deep 22-car field and the value of early lane choice for Saturday.

Tony Stewart sits second with 3.744 at 328.22, with Leah Pruett third on 3.772 at 326.24, highlighting a tight window likely influenced by the single Friday session.

In Funny Car, Jack Beckman repeats as Friday pacesetter, delivering 3.937 at 326.79 in John Force Racing’s PEAK Chevrolet SS carrying a tribute to John Force’s 1996 title campaign.

The run marks his third top qualifier this season and 36th career, while he defends top seed in Sunday’s PlayNHRA All-Star Callout and showcases PEAK’s presenting role across the weekend.

Beckman notes a compressed format, with one Friday attempt and a single night run for 23 entries, expecting slightly cooler Sunday conditions to unlock performance for several contenders.

Ron Capps runs 3.938 at 329.10 for second, continuing strong form. Austin Prock is third on 3.943 at 313.37, as outlined in our Ron Capps U.S. Nationals dossier for context.

Greg Stanfield leads Pro Stock on 6.650 at 206.01 in Janac Brothers Racing’s Elite Motorsports entry, eyeing a second seasonal pole while holding third in the standings.

Stanfield, a 2010 Indy Pro Stock winner, says ending the session on top feels significant and hopes stable weather allows teams to translate testing gains into repeatable race-day pace.

Defending winner Erica Enders sits second with 6.661 at 206.67, narrowly ahead of points leader Greg Anderson, who records 6.661 at 205.60 after a cleaner back half.

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Matt Smith sets the pace at 6.864 and 198.90 on his Denso Buell, sharpening race cadence after a long gap since July’s GETTRX All-Star Callout.

Smith, currently fourth in points, credits extensive hot-weather preparation. Angie Smith posts 6.905 at 196.64 for second, with John Hall third on 6.910 at 195.65.

Qualifying resumes Saturday at 12:30 p.m. ET, the 14th of 20 Mission Foods rounds, with positions crucial entering the regular-season run-in. See our event preview for format specifics.

Support categories add depth, with Pro Mod storylines intensifying at Indy; follow developments in our NHRA Pro Mod coverage as conditions evolve through the weekend.

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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.