The inaugural NHRA Potomac Nationals presented by JEGS is in the books at Maryland International Raceway in Mechanicsville, Md. – and the inaugural list reads: Shawn Langdon (Top Fuel, third straight win, beat Doug Kalitta by 0.0002 sec / one inch), Austin Prock (Funny Car, first win in Tasca Racing colors), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock, 114th career, 10-1 vs. Dallas Glenn in finals), and Angie Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle – the 200th NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series victory by a woman). Saturday saw a sellout crowd in the MIR grandstands. Sunday produced four champions. This page is the permanent record of every story, every record, every round.
Jump to: Winners · Top Fuel · Funny Car · Pro Stock · Pro Stock Motorcycle · MIR Records · Final Qualifying · Sellout · From the Pits · Photos · Next Race · DI Coverage · Track Info
Sellout Saturday at MIR
NHRA announced a sellout crowd Saturday at Maryland International Raceway for the inaugural NHRA Potomac Nationals presented by JEGS. It is the fourth sellout day of the 75th anniversary season – joining the season-opening NHRA Gatornationals and back-to-back days at the NHRA Southern Nationals debut at South Georgia Motorsports Park. Fans packed the MIR grandstands as the second qualifying day put the inaugural Potomac Nationals firmly on the calendar.
I have to say a special thanks to every one of y’all in the stands. I knew you would show up if we brought it here, you are the reason we do this. We love you, we appreciate you very much, and we’ve got great things to come. And thank you to all the staff here at MIR, and all the work that has been done to get to this point.– Royce Miller, Maryland International Raceway owner
From the Pits at MIR
Shawn Langdon chases a three-peat
Top Fuel points leader Shawn Langdon goes for three wins in a row at MIR. The last Top Fuel driver to win three straight: Steve Torrence in 2021. Langdon ripped the quickest and fastest pass of Friday night – 3.758 at 336.23 – to take the provisional No. 1.
The sport goes in waves; you have to capitalize when you can. We’ve done really well and have a couple wins, but the Kalitta Air Careers team is not complacent; they’re not satisfied.– Shawn Langdon
Antron Brown’s hometown race
Four-time Top Fuel world champion Antron Brown calls MIR the closest thing he has to a hometown track – the place his father and uncle bracket raced. He sits ninth in Top Fuel after Friday’s Q2.
Maryland is the closest to being a hometown track for us. It’s like an old-school, nostalgic track where it’s got concrete to 300 feet, then asphalt for the rest. We haven’t raced a fuel car on an asphalt track from the 330 in quite some time.– Antron Brown
Leah Pruett likes the air by the sea
Consistency has Leah Pruett third in Top Fuel points – trailing only Langdon and Doug Kalitta – heading into MIR. She is looking at the maritime air and seeing opportunity.
If all the atmospheric conditions are right with being that close to the sea, it could be a really promising weekend and an awesome show for the fans.– Leah Pruett
Ron Capps on a new track
Funny Car co-points leader Ron Capps (tied with J.R. Todd) is the kind of driver who likes a fresh sheet of asphalt to read. He sits 11th after Friday’s Q2 with two qualifying sessions still to come.
I’ve long bragged about my team and how good they are at adapting to different conditions, and we’re definitely going to see that this weekend. I’m pumped about seeing the new fans and visiting a new race track.– Ron Capps
Royce Miller on bringing NHRA to Budds Creek
Beyond the sellout, the Maryland International Raceway owner spent months upgrading the historic Budds Creek facility to host the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. The work shows up Sunday morning when the Top Fuel pairs roll to the line for the first time.
I’m looking forward to standing between the first pair of Top Fuel cars going down the track, knowing that we took it from where it was to this level. I’m proud of that point, to have brought that to this area, with the exposure, it’s wonderful.– Royce Miller, Maryland International Raceway owner
Inaugural MIR Track Records
The first NHRA national event at Maryland International Raceway means every pro-class number set this weekend is the inaugural MIR track record. After four sessions of qualifying:
Class Inaugural MIR ET Record Inaugural MIR Speed Record Top Fuel 3.718 – Shawn Langdon 338.00 mph – Shawn Langdon Funny Car 3.923 – Jack Beckman 328.22 mph – Jack Beckman Pro Stock 6.464 – Greg Anderson 212.79 mph – Greg Anderson Pro Stock Motorcycle 6.683 – Angie Smith 204.98 mph – Jianna Evaristo
Final Qualifying Order
Four sessions in the books at Maryland International Raceway. Shawn Langdon locked the inaugural NHRA Potomac Nationals Top Fuel No. 1 at 3.744 / 334.98 in the Kalitta Air dragster – the quickest pass any nitro car will make at MIR in the venue’s history until next year. The Funny Car field flipped on Saturday: Jack Beckman took No. 1 at 3.935 / 326.79 in the John Force Racing PEAK Chevrolet SS, pushing Q2 leader Cruz Pedregon to second. Greg Stanfield stamped Pro Stock at 6.482 / 212.39 in the Elite Motorsports/Janac Brothers Camaro for his first NHRA No. 1 qualifier since 2013, knocking Q2 leader Greg Anderson to fourth. Angie Smith made it three Pro Stock Motorcycle No. 1 qualifiers in a row, holding the top at 6.690 / 202.97 on the Denso Auto Parts Buell. Source: Drag Race Central via CompuLink timing.
Top Fuel – Langdon (3.744 / 334.98)
Shawn Langdon closes qualifying on top with a 3.744 at 334.98 – the inaugural MIR Top Fuel ET track record. Doug Kalitta and Leah Pruett tied at 3.771 with Kalitta getting the speed nod (333.00 to 331.12), giving him the No. 2 to Pruett’s No. 3. Tony Stewart fourth. Billy Torrence fifth. Rookie Maddi Gordon sixth with the 332.34 mph blast. Antron Brown closes ninth in his hometown East Coast race. Langdon draws the lone Round 1 bye Sunday (15-car field).
| Pos | Driver | ET | MPH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shawn Langdon | 3.744 | 334.98 |
| 2 | Doug Kalitta | 3.771 | 333.00 |
| 3 | Leah Pruett | 3.771 | 331.12 |
| 4 | Tony Stewart | 3.790 | 333.33 |
| 5 | Billy Torrence | 3.798 | 334.65 |
| 6 | Maddi Gordon | 3.805 | 332.34 |
| 7 | Josh Hart | 3.811 | 333.91 |
| 8 | Justin Ashley | 3.815 | 326.40 |
| 9 | Antron Brown | 3.823 | 329.42 |
| 10 | Clay Millican | 3.839 | 321.88 |
| 11 | Will Smith | 3.844 | 306.53 |
| 12 | Tony Schumacher | 3.854 | 327.90 |
| 13 | Shawn Reed | 3.865 | 323.50 |
| 14 | Spencer Massey | 3.865 | 323.27 |
| 15 | Lex Joon | 4.225 | 214.45 |
Funny Car – Beckman (3.935 / 326.79)
Saturday’s final session reshuffled the deck. Jack Beckman rolled into MIR’s first NHRA Funny Car No. 1 at 3.935 / 326.79 in the John Force Racing PEAK Chevrolet SS, his first top qualifier of 2026 and the inaugural MIR Funny Car ET track record. Cruz Pedregon, who led after Q2 with the 14-to-1 jump, holds second at 3.951 with Spencer Hyde two-thousandths back at 3.953. Matt Hagan sits sixth but owns the inaugural MIR Funny Car speed record at 326.87 mph. Joe Morrison sneaks into the No. 16 spot at 10.872 – the bump spot in a full 16-car field.
| Pos | Driver | ET | MPH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jack Beckman | 3.935 | 326.79 |
| 2 | Cruz Pedregon | 3.951 | 323.19 |
| 3 | Spencer Hyde | 3.953 | 323.58 |
| 4 | Jordan Vandergriff | 3.970 | 321.88 |
| 5 | Chad Green | 3.985 | 320.36 |
| 6 | Matt Hagan | 3.989 | 326.87 |
| 7 | Alexis DeJoria | 3.997 | 326.16 |
| 8 | J.R. Todd | 4.001 | 325.77 |
| 9 | Blake Alexander | 4.018 | 319.90 |
| 10 | Ron Capps | 4.024 | 321.65 |
| 11 | Austin Prock | 4.036 | 316.90 |
| 12 | Paul Lee | 4.048 | 301.47 |
| 13 | Dave Richards | 4.058 | 321.42 |
| 14 | Daniel Wilkerson | 4.066 | 318.32 |
| 15 | Del Worsham | 4.209 | 249.03 |
| 16 | Joe Morrison | 10.872 | 82.58 |
Pro Stock – Stanfield (6.482 / 212.39)
Greg Stanfield takes the Pro Stock No. 1 with a 6.482 at 212.39 in the Janac Brothers / Elite Motorsports Camaro, knocking Greg Anderson off the top. Reigning champion Dallas Glenn second at 6.486. Eric Latino jumped to third at 6.493. Greg Anderson sits fourth despite leading after Q2. Six-time champion Erica Enders bounced back from a 16th in Q2 to ninth in final qualifying. Matt Latino owns the inaugural MIR Pro Stock speed record at 212.56 mph.
| Pos | Driver | ET | MPH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Greg Stanfield | 6.482 | 212.39 |
| 2 | Dallas Glenn | 6.486 | 211.73 |
| 3 | Eric Latino | 6.493 | 211.30 |
| 4 | Greg Anderson | 6.494 | 211.79 |
| 5 | Matt Latino | 6.504 | 212.56 |
| 6 | Matt Hartford | 6.504 | 211.23 |
| 7 | Cody Anderson | 6.505 | 211.56 |
| 8 | Jeg Coughlin | 6.508 | 211.69 |
| 9 | Erica Enders | 6.512 | 211.30 |
| 10 | Aaron Stanfield | 6.513 | 211.36 |
| 11 | Kenny Delco | 6.522 | 210.80 |
| 12 | Deric Kramer | 6.535 | 210.50 |
| 13 | Brandon Miller | 6.583 | 207.02 |
| 14 | Troy Coughlin Jr. | 6.586 | 210.77 |
| 15 | Shane Tucker | 6.587 | 210.47 |
| 16 | Alan Prusiensky | 6.764 | 203.95 |
Pro Stock Motorcycle – Angie Smith (6.690 / 202.97)
Three events in a row at the top for Angie Smith. Her 6.690 / 202.97 on the Denso Auto Parts Buell from Q2 held through Q3 and Q4 to lock in the No. 1 – and is now the inaugural MIR Pro Stock Motorcycle ET and speed track record. World champion Richard Gadson second. John Hall third. Maryland native Kelly Clontz closes 11th on the home weekend. Smith draws the lone Round 1 bye Sunday (15-bike field).
| Pos | Driver | ET | MPH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Angie Smith | 6.690 | 202.97 |
| 2 | Richard Gadson | 6.729 | 201.31 |
| 3 | John Hall | 6.739 | 201.91 |
| 4 | Chip Ellis | 6.743 | 201.16 |
| 5 | Clayton Howey | 6.764 | 198.52 |
| 6 | Jianna Evaristo | 6.766 | 200.77 |
| 7 | Ryan Oehler | 6.770 | 200.32 |
| 8 | Gaige Herrera | 6.770 | 199.91 |
| 9 | Brayden Davis | 6.771 | 199.85 |
| 10 | Chase Van Sant | 6.778 | 200.32 |
| 11 | Kelly Clontz | 6.818 | 197.97 |
| 12 | Steve Johnson | 6.827 | 195.90 |
| 13 | Geno Scali | 6.855 | 198.70 |
| 14 | Charles Poskey | 6.942 | 196.90 |
| 15 | Wesley Wells | 6.960 | 191.87 |
Winners – Inaugural NHRA Potomac Nationals
| Class | Winner | Final ET / MPH | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top Fuel | Shawn Langdon | 3.762 / 334.90 | Doug Kalitta (3.766 / 334.24) |
| Funny Car | Austin Prock | 3.956 / 324.20 | Jack Beckman (3.971 / 323.50) |
| Pro Stock | Greg Anderson | 6.472 / 212.46 | Dallas Glenn (14.576, broken) |
| Pro Stock Motorcycle | Angie Smith | 6.683 / 201.52 | Ryan Oehler (6.741 / 201.91) |
Saturday Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge winners: Shawn Langdon (Top Fuel), Austin Prock (Funny Car).
Top Fuel: Shawn Langdon (Three-Peat, 0.0002 Sec MOV)
Shawn Langdon won his third Top Fuel race in a row at the inaugural NHRA Potomac Nationals – a feat no Top Fuel driver had accomplished since Steve Torrence in 2021. He did it the hard way too: a 3.762 at 334.90 in the Kalitta Air dragster to beat teammate Doug Kalitta‘s 3.766 at 334.24 by 0.0002 seconds – one inch, one of the closest Top Fuel finals in NHRA history. Langdon now leads Kalitta by 76 points and owns four wins in the last six races.
The weekend was a clinic. Langdon qualified No. 1 at MIR’s inaugural NHRA event, won the Saturday Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, then set the inaugural MIR Top Fuel ET track record on his Round 1 bye – a 3.718 at 338.00 mph, the quickest and fastest pass of the entire event. He beat Justin Ashley (Round 2), Billy Torrence (semifinals), and Kalitta in the final.
I knew I had to hit the Tree better in the final because Doug had a little bit on me all weekend long, and I mean, Alan Johnson’s Alan Johnson for a reason, because in the final rounds he performs, and Doug’s been there. Three wins in a row means a lot because of all the hard work that’s gone into this team over the last couple of years. When you have confidence in your team and confidence in your car, it makes it a lot of fun.– Shawn Langdon
Eliminations Bracket
Round 1
| Winner | Loser | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shawn Langdon (#1) 3.718 / 338.00 | def. | None (#BYE) – / – | Quickest and fastest pass of the event – new inaugural MIR Top Fuel ET track record. |
| Justin Ashley (#8) 3.995 / 276.52 | def. | Antron Brown (#9) 4.030 / 283.85 | |
| Shawn Reed (#13) 4.219 / 267.06 | def. | Tony Stewart (#4) 4.411 / 215.72 | Upset – Stewart pedaled and clicked off. |
| Billy Torrence (#5) 3.997 / 286.44 | def. | Tony Schumacher (#12) 4.877 / 150.06 | |
| Doug Kalitta (#2) 3.760 / 334.40 | def. | Lex Joon (#15) 3.867 / 320.51 | |
| Clay Millican (#10) 3.823 / 330.39 | def. | Josh Hart (#7) 4.026 / 268.92 | Upset. Millican oildown after the win, -10 points. |
| Leah Pruett (#3) 3.786 / 323.97 | def. | Spencer Massey (#14) 6.364 / 104.02 | |
| Will Smith (#11) 3.802 / 327.03 | def. | Maddi Gordon (#6) 3.805 / 330.07 | Closest race of round – 0.003 sec MOV. |
Quarterfinals
| Winner | Loser | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shawn Langdon (#1) 3.791 / 331.45 | def. | Justin Ashley (#8) 5.901 / 114.27 | Ashley smoked the tires. |
| Billy Torrence (#5) 3.839 / 329.02 | def. | Shawn Reed (#13) 3.853 / 327.11 | Torrence hot pipe in the lights. |
| Doug Kalitta (#2) 3.798 / 333.16 | def. | Clay Millican (#10) 3.860 / 327.35 | |
| Leah Pruett (#3) 3.786 / 330.80 | def. | Will Smith (#11) 4.499 / 206.29 | Smith smoked early. |
Semifinals
| Winner | Loser | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shawn Langdon (#1) 3.772 / 334.57 | def. | Billy Torrence (#5) 3.860 / 318.77 | |
| Doug Kalitta (#2) 3.772 / 334.15 | def. | Leah Pruett (#3) 3.787 / 329.91 | Identical ETs – Kalitta won on speed. |
Final
| Winner | Loser | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shawn Langdon (#1) 3.762 / 334.90 | def. | Doug Kalitta (#2) 3.766 / 334.24 | MOV 0.0002 sec / approximately 1 inch. |
Funny Car: Austin Prock (First Win in Tasca Colors)
Austin Prock won for the first time in 2026 – and for the first time in Tasca Racing colors after leaving John Force Racing in the off-season as back-to-back world champion. Prock went 3.956 at 324.20 in his PPG Ford Mustang to beat Jack Beckman‘s 3.971 at 323.50 in the John Force Racing PEAK Chevrolet SS by 13 feet. It is Prock’s 22nd career win and the first since joining the family-tuned program with father Jimmy and brother Thomas calling the shots.
The Tasca team had failed to qualify at Gainesville to open the year and had not won a round in the first five races of 2026. Prock advanced to the Chicago semifinals two weeks ago, then arrived at MIR and stamped the weekend – Saturday Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge winner Saturday and the inaugural Potomac diamond Wally Sunday. He beat Matt Hagan (Round 1, upset), Spencer Hyde (Round 2), and points leader Ron Capps (semifinals) on the way to the final. Capps still leads the Funny Car standings by 16 points over J.R. Todd, with Chad Green third.
It’s like winning your first race all over again, because all of the work that we put in and everything that we learned. So, to be seven races in and win the Mission Challenge this weekend and win the diamond Wally, I think it says a lot about this race team and what we’re capable of. This is just the beginning of the new era of the Prock Rocket.– Austin Prock
Eliminations Bracket
Round 1
| Winner | Loser | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jack Beckman (#1) 3.939 / 325.69 | def. | Joe Morrison (#16) 5.027 / 161.23 | |
| J.R. Todd (#8) 4.015 / 328.14 | def. | Blake Alexander (#9) 4.878 / 165.25 | |
| Jordan Vandergriff (#4) 3.988 / 322.27 | def. | Dave Richards (#13) 14.327 / 64.45 | Richards crossed-up at hit. |
| Chad Green (#5) 3.975 / 323.27 | def. | Paul Lee (#12) 4.016 / 319.75 | |
| Cruz Pedregon (#2) 4.016 / 316.60 | def. | Del Worsham (#15) 4.127 / 254.23 | Worsham silent at 800 ft. |
| Ron Capps (#10) 4.001 / 321.12 | def. | Alexis DeJoria (#7) 4.009 / 326.56 | Upset by 15 feet. |
| Spencer Hyde (#3) 4.171 / 277.89 | def. | Daniel Wilkerson (#14) 4.303 / 216.20 | |
| Austin Prock (#11) 3.977 / 323.19 | def. | Matt Hagan (#6) 4.388 / 202.48 | Upset. Hagan engine fire at half-track. |
Quarterfinals
| Winner | Loser | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jack Beckman (#1) 4.003 / 324.05 | def. | J.R. Todd (#8) 4.018 / 311.41 | Beckman by 8 feet. |
| Jordan Vandergriff (#4) 3.996 / 324.98 | def. | Chad Green (#5) 4.008 / 321.81 | Vandergriff by 17 feet. |
| Austin Prock (#11) 3.999 / 321.88 | def. | Spencer Hyde (#3) 4.112 / 274.44 | Hyde dropped a cylinder. |
| Ron Capps (#10) 4.255 / 263.05 | def. | Cruz Pedregon (#2) 4.939 / 163.67 | Pedregon dropped a cylinder. |
Semifinals
| Winner | Loser | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Prock (#11) 3.998 / 323.12 | def. | Ron Capps (#10) 4.014 / 320.28 | MOV 14 feet. |
| Jack Beckman (#1) 3.923 / 328.22 | def. | Jordan Vandergriff (#4) 4.122 / 250.83 | Low ET of the event for Beckman. Vandergriff pushed across centerline after 1000 ft. |
Final
| Winner | Loser | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Prock (#11) 3.956 / 324.20 | def. | Jack Beckman (#1) 3.971 / 323.50 | MOV 13 feet. First win in Tasca Racing colors. 22nd career. |
Pro Stock: Greg Anderson (10-1 vs. Glenn in Finals)
Greg Anderson won his second Pro Stock race of 2026 and the 114th of his career, racing past reigning world champion Dallas Glenn with a 6.472 at 212.46 in the HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro after Glenn shook the tires hard off the line and pushed in the clutch. Anderson is now 10-1 vs. Glenn in final rounds. Glenn still leads the championship by 11 points.
Anderson lived in the 6.40s on Sunday. He ran the quickest pass of the event at 6.464 against Deric Kramer in Round 2, ran a track-record 6.464 / 212.79, then beat Greg Stanfield in a Stanfield-Anderson semifinal showdown after Stanfield had qualified No. 1.
You can’t try to be Superman, no matter what the competition’s doing and that’s a hard thing. I told myself before that final round, do not make a mistake like you did last weekend, and obviously went too far the other way, and I had a horrible light. But thank God Dallas’ car didn’t make it, so just my day, my lucky day. My car was fantastic all day long, and it’s just a good, a good feeling racetrack for me.– Greg Anderson
Eliminations Bracket
Round 1
| Winner | Loser | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greg Stanfield (#1) 6.501 / 212.73 | def. | Alan Prusiensky (#16) 7.288 / 140.81 | |
| Jeg Coughlin (#8) 6.505 / 212.09 | def. | Erica Enders (#9) 9.152 / 107.22 | Enders shook the tires. |
| Greg Anderson (#4) 6.476 / 212.26 | def. | Brandon Miller (#13) 6.863 / 164.91 | Miller close to the wall. |
| Deric Kramer (#12) 6.489 / 212.23 | def. | Matt Latino (#5) 6.526 / 212.63 | Upset. |
| Dallas Glenn (#2) 6.473 / 212.09 | def. | Shane Tucker (#15) 6.530 / 213.06 | |
| Aaron Stanfield (#10) 6.510 / 211.83 | def. | Cody Anderson (#7) 11.703 / 75.03 | Anderson shook early. |
| Troy Coughlin Jr. (#14) 6.537 / 211.66 | def. | Eric Latino (#3) 6.504 / 210.50 | Latino red light (-.070). |
| Kenny Delco (#11) 6.536 / 211.89 | def. | Matt Hartford (#6) 6.547 / 212.79 | Upset. |
Quarterfinals
| Winner | Loser | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Troy Coughlin Jr. (#14) 6.535 / 211.23 | def. | Kenny Delco (#11) 13.181 / 66.00 | Delco severe shake. |
| Greg Stanfield (#1) 6.487 / 212.33 | def. | Jeg Coughlin (#8) 6.525 / 211.66 | MOV 15 feet. |
| Greg Anderson (#4) 6.464 / 212.79 | def. | Deric Kramer (#12) 10.887 / 83.72 | Quickest pass of event. Kramer shook. |
| Dallas Glenn (#2) 6.488 / 212.23 | def. | Aaron Stanfield (#10) 6.503 / 211.99 | MOV 0.0019 sec / 7 inches. |
Semifinals
| Winner | Loser | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Glenn (#2) 6.492 / 212.16 | def. | Troy Coughlin Jr. (#14) 6.550 / 210.90 | MOV 10 feet. |
| Greg Anderson (#4) 6.488 / 212.53 | def. | Greg Stanfield (#1) 6.501 / 212.13 | Anderson chased him down by half track. |
Final
| Winner | Loser | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greg Anderson (#4) 6.472 / 212.46 | def. | Dallas Glenn (#2) 14.576 / 58.85 | Glenn severe tire shake at the hit. Anderson now 10-1 vs Glenn in finals. 114th career win. |
Pro Stock Motorcycle: Angie Smith (200th NHRA Win by a Woman)
Angie Smith captured the 200th NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series victory by a woman and her first race win in nearly four years, going 6.683 at 201.52 on the Denso Auto Parts Buell to beat Ryan Oehler‘s 6.741 at 201.91 in the final. It is Smith’s fourth career Pro Stock Motorcycle win and the second straight event she has carried the bike with the best number through qualifying.
The weekend was an emotional one for the Matt Smith Racing camp. Six-time PSM world champion Matt Smith – Angie’s husband and tuner – was hospitalized Friday morning. By 10 a.m. he was back on the property tuning all four MSR bikes, and he was trackside by first round Sunday to watch Angie cruise past Brayden Davis (Round 2, Davis red), Clayton Howey (semifinals), and Oehler (final). Smith now sits second in PSM points, 26 behind world champion Richard Gadson. Smith’s win also coincided with Shirley Muldowney’s 75th-anniversary appearance at MIR – a fitting passing of the torch on the same day.
I was just ecstatic because at 7 a.m. Friday, we were running zero bikes, we were taking the Tree and getting our 30 points, packing up and going home. At 10 a.m. Matt said, ‘We’re running all four bikes, I believe in you, and you can do it.’ So that’s what we did. It means everything to get the 200th. From Erica to Shirley to Angelle, to all of those ladies who have paved the way for me – I will always be the 200th. I’m glad I can represent the women of NHRA.– Angie Smith
Eliminations Bracket
Round 1
| Winner | Loser | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Angie Smith (#1) 6.715 / 203.65 | def. | None (#BYE) – / – | |
| Brayden Davis (#9) 6.743 / 202.64 | def. | Gaige Herrera (#8) No Time / – | Herrera couldn’t fire the bike. |
| Jianna Evaristo (#6) 6.702 / 204.98 | def. | Kelly Clontz (#11) 6.786 / 201.46 | Evaristo career best – 2nd-fastest mph in PSM history. |
| Ryan Oehler (#7) 10.750 / 75.57 | def. | Chase Van Sant (#10) 6.756 / 201.61 | Van Sant red light. Oehler had problems but got the win. |
| Chip Ellis (#4) 6.776 / 200.92 | def. | Geno Scali (#13) 6.827 / 200.71 | |
| Clayton Howey (#5) 6.733 / 202.21 | def. | Steve Johnson (#12) 6.799 / 198.26 | |
| John Hall (#3) 6.758 / 199.82 | def. | Charles Poskey (#14) No Time / – | Poskey no-show after Saturday wall hit. Hospital – foot injury. |
| Richard Gadson (#2) 6.716 / 201.88 | def. | Wesley Wells (#15) 6.924 / 194.32 | Wells red light (-.157). |
Quarterfinals
| Winner | Loser | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clayton Howey (#5) 6.751 / 199.94 | def. | Chip Ellis (#4) No Time / – | Ellis problems at the hit. |
| Angie Smith (#1) 6.702 / 201.49 | def. | Brayden Davis (#9) 6.767 / 201.73 | Davis red light (-.021). |
| Jianna Evaristo (#6) 6.746 / 202.06 | def. | John Hall (#3) 6.778 / 199.35 | |
| Ryan Oehler (#7) 6.697 / 203.12 | def. | Richard Gadson (#2) 6.734 / 201.58 | Upset – Oehler career best. |
Semifinals
| Winner | Loser | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Angie Smith (#1) 6.696 / 201.52 | def. | Clayton Howey (#5) 6.776 / 198.85 | |
| Ryan Oehler (#7) 6.728 / 201.82 | def. | Jianna Evaristo (#6) 6.775 / 201.19 | Evaristo red light (-.005). |
Final
| Winner | Loser | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Angie Smith (#1) 6.683 / 201.52 | def. | Ryan Oehler (#7) 6.741 / 201.91 | Quickest pass of the event. 200th NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series victory by a woman. Smith’s first win in nearly four years. |
Next Race
The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series returns to action June 5-7 with the NHRA New England Nationals presented by bproauto at New England Dragway in Epping, N.H.
Event Facts
| Event | Inaugural NHRA Potomac Nationals presented by JEGS |
| Track | Maryland International Raceway, Mechanicsville, Md. |
| Dates | May 29-31, 2026 |
| Round | 7th of 20 races, 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series |
| Classes | Top Fuel · Funny Car · Pro Stock · Pro Stock Motorcycle · NHRA Lucas Oil Series |
| TV | FS1 (Fri/Sat qualifying) · FOX (Sunday eliminations) |
| Tickets | NHRA.com/tickets · Kids 12 and under free with adult GA |
Storylines to Watch
Top Fuel: Langdon’s lead, Brown’s home race, Kalitta’s title defense
Chicago winner Shawn Langdon arrives in Maryland with the Top Fuel points lead and three wins in 2026. The biggest threat may be the driver he just beat: four-time world champion Antron Brown, who calls the Mid-Atlantic his East Coast home and is the No. 2 seed in this weekend’s Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge after a runner-up finish at Route 66. Reigning world champion Doug Kalitta, racing legend Tony Stewart, Gainesville winner Josh Hart, Justin Ashley, Leah Pruett, Clay Millican, and rookie Maddi Gordon – fresh off back-to-back 340-mph runs in Valdosta – round out a loaded field. Krista Baldwin continues her Top Fuel return.
Funny Car: Two-way tie at the top, a class that won’t settle
Through six races, Funny Car has produced six different winners. Ron Capps (two wins) and past world champ J.R. Todd are tied for the points lead. Four-time champion Matt Hagan sits third. Chicago winner Chad Green, Valdosta winner Jordan Vandergriff, Route 66 runner-up Alexis DeJoria, Jack Beckman, Spencer Hyde, and Austin Prock all enter Maryland with realistic Wally aspirations. Don’t sleep on independent campaigners “Nitro” Joe Morrison and Chicago firefighter Chris King, either – both are in the field.
Pro Stock: Glenn leads, Hartford pushes, Anderson lurks
Reigning world champion Dallas Glenn rides two wins to the points lead. Matt Hartford matches that win total. Six-time champion Greg Anderson, who has the Pomona Wally and a heartbreak red light in the Chicago final, is still very much in the title hunt. Six-time champion Erica Enders heads to MIR after her first No. 1 qualifier since 2024. Chicago winner Aaron Stanfield, Jeg Coughlin Jr., and T.J. Coughlin round out a class that has been the most predictably stacked in the building since Day 1.
Pro Stock Motorcycle: Gadson’s grip, Maryland’s hometown rider
World champion Richard Gadson leads the points. Gaige Herrera, six-time champ Matt Smith, Angie Smith (the Route 66 runner-up and No. 1 qualifier), John Hall, and Jianna Evaristo are all dangerous. Maryland native Kelly Clontz will have the home crowd. Steve Johnson‘s long-running Suzuki program is eager to get the NHRA back to the Mid-Atlantic. Expect the Smith camp to lead the qualifying sheet again – they have been at every event in 2026.
75th Anniversary: Muldowney, the Diamond Wally, a Pennant Giveaway
Sunday’s winners will hoist a special 75th anniversary Diamond Wally – a one-time look reserved for the milestone season. The MIR debut weekend is also part of NHRA’s anniversary tour with:
- An appearance from three-time Top Fuel world champion Shirley Muldowney with a tribute to her trailblazing career.
- A free limited-edition NHRA pennant for the first 4,000 fans in attendance Sunday.
- Antron Brown joins the NHRA Top 75 Driver List, joining Tony Schumacher, Ron Capps, and Greg Anderson on the milestone-season roll.
Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge Field
The Saturday-only Top Fuel field is set off the four most recent results: Chicago winner Shawn Langdon draws Gainesville winner Josh Hart on one side of the ladder; Chicago runner-up Antron Brown meets Leah Pruett on the other. Mission Challenge finals run during the final qualifying sessions Saturday – winners get a bye into Sunday’s first round of eliminations and a paycheck on top of it.
Schedule
All times Eastern. NHRA Lucas Oil Series qualifying opens the racing each day at 10:00 a.m.
Friday, May 29 – Qualifying Day 1
| Time (ET) | Session |
|---|---|
| 10:00 a.m. | Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series qualifying |
| 1:30 p.m. | NHRA Mission Foods Series Q1 (all pro classes) |
| 4:00 p.m. | NHRA Mission Foods Series Q2 (all pro classes) |
Saturday, May 30 – Qualifying Day 2 + Mission Challenge
| Time (ET) | Session |
|---|---|
| 10:00 a.m. | Lucas Oil qualifying + eliminations |
| 12:30 p.m. | NHRA Mission Foods Series Q3 (all pro classes) |
| 3:00 p.m. | NHRA Mission Foods Series Q4 + Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge finals |
| 5:00 p.m. | Lucas Oil eliminations continue |
Sunday, May 31 – Eliminations
| Time (ET) | Session |
|---|---|
| 10:00 a.m. | Pre-race ceremonies |
| 11:00 a.m. | NHRA Mission Foods Series eliminations begin |
TV Schedule (FOX/FS1)
| Day | Window (ET) | Network | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, May 29 | 7:00 p.m. | FS1 | Qualifying coverage |
| Saturday, May 30 | 9:00 p.m. | FS1 | Qualifying coverage |
| Sunday, May 31 | 3:00 p.m. | FOX | Three hours of eliminations / finals |
National Records to Watch
MIR’s NHRA national-event debut means no track records exist for the venue – every pass this weekend will set the bar. National records as they stand entering the weekend:
Class National ET Record National Speed Record Top Fuel 3.623 – Brittany Force (Sept ’19, Reading) 345.00 – Shawn Langdon (May ’26, Valdosta) Funny Car 3.793 – Robert Hight (Aug ’17, Brainerd) 341.68 – Austin Prock (Nov ’24, Pomona) Pro Stock 6.443 – Greg Anderson (March ’25, Gainesville) 215.55 – Erica Enders (May ’14, Englishtown) Pro Stock Motorcycle 6.627 – Gaige Herrera (Oct ’23, Dallas) 205.04 – Matt Smith (July ’21, Sonoma)
Photo Gallery
Photos courtesy NHRA / National Dragster. Click any image to enlarge.
Drag Illustrated Pre-Race Coverage
Every Drag Illustrated story filed ahead of and during the inaugural NHRA Potomac Nationals, newest first. This list updates throughout race weekend.
- The Wes Buck Show | Ep. 427 | Austin Prock & Angie Smith!!! – Inaugural NHRA Potomac Nationals winners Austin Prock and Angie Smith join The Wes Buck Show for a post-race breakdown of two of the weekend’s biggest stories from MIR.
- Maddi Gordon Shows Consistency at Inaugural NHRA Potomac Nationals – Rookie of the Year contender Maddi Gordon strings together consistent passes in qualifying and eliminations at MIR, dropping a close opening-round race Sunday morning.
- Strong Run Ends in Narrow First-Round Defeat for Angelle Sampey – Angelle Sampey claws back from a tough qualifying start to come up just short in Round 1 of Top Alcohol Dragster at the inaugural NHRA Potomac Nationals.
- PHOTO GALLERY: Inaugural NHRA Potomac Nationals at MIR – The full DI photo gallery from NHRA’s first appearance at Maryland International Raceway – Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle on the Mid-Atlantic stage.
- Alexis DeJoria Continues Consistent 2026 Campaign With Strong Qualifying Performance at NHRA Potomac Nationals – Fresh off her second runner-up of the year, DeJoria and the Bandero Cafe Funny Car continue running with the front of the class at the inaugural Potomac Nationals.
- NHRA Potomac Nationals Debut for Morrison Shows Promise for Future – “Nitro” Joe Morrison and the Herzhauser Funny Car log a solid first NHRA tour outing of the year, qualifying No. 16 at MIR.
- Spencer Hyde Advances to Quarterfinals at Inaugural NHRA Potomac Nationals presented by JEGS – Reigning NHRA Rookie of the Year Spencer Hyde drives the Head Contractors Funny Car to the Round 2 at MIR, continuing a strong sophomore campaign.
- Troy Coughlin Jr. and Greg Stanfield Take Team Elite to Semifinals – Troy Coughlin Jr. in the JEGS Pro Stocker and Greg Stanfield in the Janac Brothers entry lead Elite Motorsports to semifinal finishes at the inaugural Potomac Nationals.
- Antron Brown Makes Early Exit at Inaugural NHRA Potomac Nationals – Four-time Top Fuel world champion Antron Brown and the Matco Tools team are eliminated in Round 1 Sunday at MIR after a 3.950 / 312.21 opener Friday.
- Ron Capps Strengthens Funny Car Points Lead With Semifinal Finish at NHRA Potomac Nationals – Three-time Funny Car world champion Ron Capps stretches his Mission Foods points lead with a semifinal finish at the inaugural NHRA Potomac Nationals.
- Jack Beckman Grabs Runner-Up at NHRA Potomac Nationals; Jordan Vandergriff Reaches Semifinals – Beckman qualifies No. 1 and sets low ET of the meet but comes up short in the final; Jordan Vandergriff reaches the semis for John Force Racing at MIR.
- Greg Anderson Takes HendrickCars.com Chevrolet to 114th Win of His Career at NHRA Potomac Nationals – Six-time champ Greg Anderson notches career win No. 114 at a track he had never won at before – the inaugural NHRA Potomac Nationals at MIR.
- Huge Crowd Sees Prock, Langdon, G. Anderson, and A. Smith Win Inaugural NHRA Potomac Nationals Presented By JEGS – Austin Prock, Shawn Langdon, Greg Anderson, and Angie Smith take the inaugural Potomac trophies Sunday in front of a packed MIR crowd.
- Jack Beckman, PEAK Squad Capture Second Consecutive No. 1 Qualifier – Beckman and the PEAK Chevrolet SS Funny Car team grab back-to-back No. 1 qualifiers at MIR; JFR’s other three teams all earn round-one lane choice for Sunday.
- Greg Anderson, Most Winning Driver in Pro Stock, Set to Chase First NHRA Potomac Nationals Trophy – With 113 Pro Stock trophies in the case, the six-time champ takes the No. 1 qualifier into Sunday eliminations chasing the inaugural Potomac Wally.
- Prock, Langdon, A. Stanfield, and A. Smith Get Wins in Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge at Maryland International Raceway – Austin Prock, Shawn Langdon, Aaron Stanfield, and Angie Smith bank Mission Challenge wins Saturday at MIR – first-round byes and a paycheck headed to Sunday.
- Sellout Crowd at Debut NHRA Potomac Nationals Presented By JEGS – NHRA officials announced a Saturday sellout at MIR for the inaugural Potomac Nationals – the fourth sellout day of the 75th anniversary season.
- Langdon, Pedregon, G. Anderson, and A. Smith Open Inaugural NHRA Potomac Nationals Presented by JEGS in Top Spots – Friday qualifying recap from MIR: Shawn Langdon, Cruz Pedregon, Greg Anderson, and Angie Smith sit atop their respective classes after Q2.
- PSM’s Kelly Clontz Eager to Show Off Home Track at NHRA Potomac Nationals Presented by JEGS – Hughesville, Md. native Kelly Clontz looks to make the most of her home-track Pro Stock Motorcycle debut as NHRA touches down at MIR.
- Pruett Looks to Maintain Consistency, Hagan Aiming for Points Lead at NHRA Potomac Nationals presented by JEGS – Tony Stewart Racing’s Top Fuel and Funny Car duo head to Maryland with momentum and points ambitions.
- Steve Johnson Eager to Bring NHRA Drag Racing to Maryland International Raceway – The 200-mph Suzuki veteran on what NHRA’s MIR debut means for the East Coast scene.
- Alexis DeJoria Heats Up Performance as Summer Nears Heading Into Inaugural NHRA Potomac Nationals – Off her Route 66 runner-up, DeJoria likes where her Bandero Cafe Funny Car is at heading to MIR.
- “Nitro” Joe Morrison Ready to Race at Potomac Nationals – Independent Funny Car campaigner Joe Morrison previews his Potomac Nationals run.
- Maryland International Raceway’s Royce Miller Discusses Preparation For NHRA Potomac Nationals – MIR’s Royce Miller on what it takes to host the NHRA for the first time.
- Antron Brown Brings Momentum to Inaugural NHRA Potomac Nationals Presented by JEGS – The four-time Top Fuel world champion likes his AB Motorsports Matco Tools team’s progress heading into a hometown East Coast race.
- Visit St. Mary’s MD and NHRA Set for Fan Fest Ahead of Maryland International Raceway Debut – Pre-race Fan Fest in St. Mary’s County ahead of NHRA’s MIR debut.
- JEGS Named Presenting Sponsor for NHRA Debut at Maryland International Raceway – JEGS comes on as title presenting sponsor for the inaugural Potomac Nationals.
Track Info & Directions
Maryland International Raceway · 27861 Budds Creek Road · Mechanicsville, Md.
- From the DC area: Beltway I-495 to Exit 7A (Branch Ave) · south 13 miles · left on Rt. 5 S · 3 miles, left at light to stay on Rt. 5 S · 13 miles, right on Rt. 236 · 6 miles to end, left on Rt. 234, MIR on right.
- From the south: I-95 N to Exit 104 (Rt. 301 N) · across the Potomac River Bridge · 5 miles, right on Rt. 234 · 7 miles to MIR in Budds Creek on the right.
Race results sourced from Drag Race Central via CompuLink timing data. Photos courtesy NHRA/National Dragster.
This story was originally published on May 28, 2026. 
