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Capps, Kalitta, Hartford, and A. Smith Dominate NHRA Nationals At The Rock
Highlights
- Ron Capps earned fourth No. 1 qualifier at NHRA Nationals
- Doug Kalitta secured sixth No. 1 qualifier in Top Fuel
- Matt Hartford grabbed third straight No. 1 qualifier in Pro Stock
- Angie Smith topped Pro Stock Motorcycle with fourth No. 1 qualifier
- Eliminations at Rockingham Dragway begin Sunday at 11 a.m. ET
- NHRA Nationals at The Rock marks 16th race of 2026 season
Ron Capps secures his fourth No. 1 qualifier of 2026 at the inaugural NHRA Nationals at The Rock, clocking 3.870 seconds at 330.40 mph at Rockingham Dragway.
The NAPA Auto Care driver posts his 41st career No. 1, contributing to a sellout, NHRA’s 10th of its 75th season, underlining Capps’ qualifying form this month.
He starts eliminations with a first-round bye, a timely buffer in the Countdown. Tight points after recent rounds make track position and lane choice immediately valuable.
“We’re trying to forget about what happened in Martin and focus on winning a championship,” Capps says.
Alexis DeJoria qualifies second at 3.892 seconds and 334.82 mph, setting up a clash with John Smith. Austin Prock is third at 3.892 and 326.80 against Jon Capps.
Capps targets a fourth win this season and the 81st of his career, building on his speed record form earlier in September.
Top Fuel contender Doug Kalitta claims his sixth No. 1 of 2026 with 3.682 seconds at 338.09 mph in the Mac Tools dragster, the 72nd top spot of his career.
Kalitta’s 3.682 at 338.09 mph delivers his 72nd career No. 1.
Second in points behind Shawn Langdon, Kalitta draws Rit Pustari first. The intra-team rivalry sharpens execution, with both crews’ calls central to turnaround times and consistency.
Tony Stewart takes second in Top Fuel with 3.704 seconds at 336.83 mph, while Langdon’s 3.732 at 334.08 earns third on a tightly compressed ladder.
In Pro Stock, Matt Hartford extends his streak to three straight No. 1s, delivering 6.476 seconds at 212.87 mph in the Total Seal Chevrolet Camaro.
Hartford’s third consecutive Pro Stock No. 1 arrives at 6.476 seconds and 212.87 mph.
Reigning champion Dallas Glenn sits second at 6.478 and 212.06, with Matt Latino third on 6.479 and 211.67, reflecting razor-thin separation across the class.
Angie Smith leads Pro Stock Motorcycle at 6.674 seconds and 201.61 mph on her Denso Auto Parts Buell, securing a fourth 2026 No. 1 and a first-round bye.
Two-time champion Gaige Herrera qualifies second at 6.680, with six-time champion Matt Smith third at 6.681, setting up fine margins for race-day adjustments.
Eliminations begin Sunday at 11 a.m. ET at Rockingham Dragway.
Racing forms the 16th round of the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and a Countdown playoff stop, showcasing the revitalized Rockingham Dragway this weekend.
Visual Summary
🚗💨
Capps #1
3.870s
@ 330.4 mph
Fastest of the Day
NHRA Nationals at The Rock: Playoff Drama • Record Speed • Thunderous Crowds
Funny Car
Ron Capps
#1 | 3.870s
41st career pole
Ron Capps
#1 | 3.870s
41st career pole
Top Fuel
Doug Kalitta
#1 | 3.682s
72nd career pole
Doug Kalitta
#1 | 3.682s
72nd career pole
Pro Stock
M. Hartford
#1 | 6.476s
3rd straight pole
M. Hartford
#1 | 6.476s
3rd straight pole
Pro Stock MC
A. Smith
#1 | 6.674s
4th pole of ’26
A. Smith
#1 | 6.674s
4th pole of ’26
🏆
Playoff Pressure →
🚗
Capps
First Round: Bye
First Round: Bye
🏎️
Kalitta
vs. Pustari
vs. Pustari
🚙
Hartford
First Round: Bye
First Round: Bye
🏍️
A. Smith
First Round: Bye
First Round: Bye
🏁
75th Anniversary Season, 10th NHRA Sellout, and the crowd at Rockingham goes wild as Capps takes his 41st career pole – setting up a high-stakes playoff Sunday!
75th Anniversary Season, 10th NHRA Sellout, and the crowd at Rockingham goes wild as Capps takes his 41st career pole – setting up a high-stakes playoff Sunday!
Capps: “We’re refocused on the title, grateful for the crew, and ready for a thunderous eliminations day.”
Kalitta v. Langdon: Championship tension & respect between teammates.
Hartford & A. Smith: Both with first-round byes, their championship hunt is on!
Kalitta v. Langdon: Championship tension & respect between teammates.
Hartford & A. Smith: Both with first-round byes, their championship hunt is on!
⏱️
Eliminations kick off: 11 a.m. ET Sunday
The Rock. The Crowd. The Rush.
2026 NHRA Nationals sets the stage for championship mayhem.
Let Sunday thunder begin!
2026 NHRA Nationals sets the stage for championship mayhem.
Let Sunday thunder begin!
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.
