The 26th annual Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK Performance wrapped Sunday at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Illinois, and the trophies got handed out fast: Shawn Langdon closed the door on Antron Brown in Top Fuel for his 25th career Wally, Chad Green beat Alexis DeJoria by 13 feet in the Funny Car final, Aaron Stanfield capitalized on a Greg Anderson red light for his 15th Pro Stock Wally, Matt Smith defeated wife Angie Smith in an all-Smith Pro Stock Motorcycle final after Angie’s bike broke at the hit, and Pro Mod first-timer Derek Menholt backed up the No. 1 qualifier with a maiden NHRA Pro Mod victory over Jason Collins. This is your one-stop hub for the winners, the brackets, the qualifying order, the storylines, and every Drag Illustrated story filed from Joliet.
Jump to: Winners · Storylines · Final Qualifying · Eliminations Brackets · Track Records · DI Coverage · Photo Gallery · Schedule
2026 NHRA Route 66 Nationals Winners
| Class | Winner | Final ET / MPH | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top Fuel | Shawn Langdon | 3.775 / 335.90 | Antron Brown (4.225 / 206.48) |
| Funny Car | Chad Green | 3.945 / 324.75 | Alexis DeJoria (3.965 / 328.86) |
| Pro Stock | Aaron Stanfield | 6.595 / 208.46 | Greg Anderson (red, 6.573 / 208.59) |
| Pro Stock Motorcycle | Matt Smith | 6.835 / 185.41 | Angie Smith (1.450, no time) |
| JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod | Derek Menholt | 5.692 / 250.23 | Jason Collins (7.417 / 121.75) |
Sunday Storylines
Top Fuel: Langdon chases down Brown for No. 25
Shawn Langdon qualified ninth, then beat Shawn Reed, Doug Kalitta, and Josh Hart on the way to a final-round date with Antron Brown. Brown owned the starting line in the final – a .053 to Langdon’s .068 – but began hazing the tires and Langdon ran him down past half track, crossing at 3.775 seconds and 335.90 mph. It is Langdon’s 25th career Wally and his third of the 2026 season. Brown evens his series rivalry with Langdon at 35-30 but is now 6-4 against him in final rounds.
Funny Car: Chad Green wins by 13 feet
Chad Green never trailed in his final round against Alexis DeJoria, taking the starting line advantage and a holeshot to the win. Green’s 3.945 at 324.75 mph beat DeJoria’s quicker 3.965 at a final-round-best 328.86 mph – a margin of victory of just 0.0267 seconds, roughly 13 feet of track. It is Green’s fourth career Wally and his second of 2026. The path there required a Round 2 win over Ron Capps with a tire-smoking 6.102, then a semifinal win over Mission Challenge Saturday champion Austin Prock.
Pro Stock: Anderson red lights the Wally to Stanfield
It looked like a vintage Greg Anderson Sunday at Route 66 Raceway – until the Christmas tree turned in the final. Anderson, who had beaten reigning champion Erica Enders in the semifinal, fouled at -0.096 to hand Aaron Stanfield his 15th career Pro Stock Wally. Anderson ran the quicker 6.573 at 208.59 mph; Stanfield motored down the groove for the win at 6.595 / 208.46. Stanfield, who had to beat brother Greg Stanfield in the semifinal, is now 4-1 against Anderson in finals and 17-9 lifetime.
Pro Stock Motorcycle: Matt Smith wins an all-Smith final
Family matters at Route 66 Raceway. Matt Smith and wife Angie Smith set the all-Smith final – Matt working through Jianna Evaristo, Gaige Herrera, and Brayden Davis; Angie running past Chase Van Sant and Richard Gadson – but Angie’s bike broke when the tree turned green, leaving her with a 1.450 and no time. Matt was straight down the groove at 6.835 / 185.41 for his 44th career Wally and his second of 2026. He had been 1-0 down to Angie in prior finals; the series stays at 23 wins to her 9 head-to-head.
Pro Mod: Derek Menholt backs up his maiden No. 1
Pro Mod’s newest face is its newest winner. Derek Menholt qualified No. 1 with the only 5.66-second pass of the weekend and then made it count on raceday, beating Alex Laughlin, JR Gray, and Justin Bond before meeting Jason Collins in a first-time pairing for the final. Collins lit a great .004 light but immediately started shaking and clicked it off. Menholt was straight down the groove at 5.692 / 250.23 for his third career Wally and his second of 2026. The JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series field rolls on with a new contender at the front.
Final Qualifying Order
Final qualifying is in the books at Route 66 Raceway. Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Jack Beckman (Funny Car), Erica Enders (Pro Stock), and Angie Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) closed out as their respective No. 1 qualifiers. The story of Saturday: Derek Menholt stole the JBS Equipment Pro Mod top spot from Friday leader Jason Collins with the only 5.66 of the weekend, jumping from fourth Friday to first Saturday.
Top Fuel – Doug Kalitta, 3.720 / 338.17
Reigning world champion Doug Kalitta stamped his Mac Tools dragster on top of the Top Fuel sheet with a 3.720 at 338.17 mph in his 12,000-horsepower entry. It is Kalitta’s bid for his second straight No. 1 qualifier of the season and the 68th of his career. Rookie sensation Maddi Gordon, fresh off back-to-back 340-mph runs in Valdosta, sits second at 3.738/334.90. Billy Torrence is third at 3.746/336.32, and Tony Stewart rounds out the provisional top four at 3.754. Points leader Shawn Langdon sits 13th.
Pos Driver ET MPH 1 Doug Kalitta 3.720 338.17 2 Maddi Gordon 3.738 334.90 3 Billy Torrence 3.746 336.32 4 Tony Stewart 3.754 327.82
Funny Car – Jack Beckman, 3.913 / 329.99
Defending Route 66 Nationals winner Jack Beckman went 3.913 at 329.99 in his PEAK Chevrolet SS Funny Car for John Force Racing to grab the provisional No. 1. Should the number hold, it would be Beckman’s first top qualifier of 2026 and the 34th of his career. Ron Capps (3.916/330.31) and Cruz Pedregon (3.920/324.59) are right behind. Points leader J.R. Todd sits fourth at 3.942/332.26. Valdosta winner Jordan Vandergriff is 16th after a pinned parachute DQ’d his Q2 run.
Pos Driver ET MPH 1 Jack Beckman 3.913 329.99 2 Ron Capps 3.916 330.31 3 Cruz Pedregon 3.920 324.59 4 J.R. Todd 3.942 332.26
Pro Stock – Erica Enders, 6.542 / 209.92
Six-time world champion Erica Enders served notice that her early-season struggles may be behind her, putting her Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage/Melling Performance/R+L Carriers Camaro on top with a 6.542 at 209.92. It would be her first No. 1 qualifier since the 2024 season. Elite Motorsports stable-mate Jeg Coughlin Jr. is second at 6.543/210.21 and Greg Stanfield (6.549/210.11) makes it a clean Elite Motorsports sweep in the top three. Greg Anderson is fourth at 6.553/209.88.
Pos Driver ET MPH 1 Erica Enders 6.542 209.92 2 Jeg Coughlin Jr. 6.543 210.21 3 Greg Stanfield 6.549 210.11 4 Greg Anderson 6.553 209.88
Pro Stock Motorcycle – Angie Smith, 6.726 / 201.70
Angie Smith closed final qualifying on top with a 6.726 at 201.70 on her Denso Auto Parts Buell, locking down her first No. 1 of 2026 and a Round 1 bye Sunday. The Matt Smith Racing camp has been atop the field at every race so far in 2026 and Angie is looking to add a Wally to the qualifying success. Richard Gadson is second at 6.778/200.38 and Gaige Herrera, undefeated at Route 66 Raceway, is third at 6.784/197.94. Ryan Oehler rounds out the top four at 6.787.
Pos Rider ET MPH 1 Angie Smith 6.726 201.70 2 Richard Gadson 6.778 200.38 3 Gaige Herrera 6.784 197.94 4 Ryan Oehler 6.787 196.59
Pro Mod – Derek Menholt, 5.667 / 250.92
Derek Menholt jumped from fourth on Friday to the top of the JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod sheet on Saturday with the only 5.66 of the weekend – a 5.667 at 250.92 in his ’19 Corvette. Friday leader Jason Collins dropped to second at 5.691/251.67 in his ’69 Camaro. Lyle Barnett is third at 5.695/252.99 and Justin Bond rounds out the top four at 5.696/251.58. Sixteen cars inside the show, with Alex Laughlin on the outside looking in.
| Pos | Driver | ET | MPH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Derek Menholt | 5.667 | 250.92 |
| 2 | Jason Collins | 5.691 | 251.67 |
| 3 | Lyle Barnett | 5.695 | 252.99 |
| 4 | Justin Bond | 5.696 | 251.58 |
Source: Drag Race Central via CompuLink timing.
Eliminations Brackets
Round-by-round pairings and winning ETs for each professional class. Source: Drag Race Central / CompuLink timing data.
Top Fuel
| Round | Winner (ET / MPH) | Loser |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | Shawn Langdon (3.739 / 338.68) | Shawn Reed |
| Round 1 | Antron Brown (3.777 / 329.18) | T.J. Zizzo |
| Quarterfinals | Shawn Langdon (3.789 / 333.49) | Doug Kalitta |
| Quarterfinals | Antron Brown (3.774 / 332.18) | Maddi Gordon |
| Semifinals | Shawn Langdon (3.790 / 332.10) | Josh Hart |
| Semifinals | Antron Brown (3.809 / 328.38) | Leah Pruett |
| Final | Shawn Langdon (3.775 / 335.90) | Antron Brown (4.225 / 206.48) |
Funny Car
| Round | Winner (ET / MPH) | Loser |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | Chad Green (3.943 / 324.12) | Jordan Vandergriff |
| Round 1 | Alexis DeJoria (3.947 / 326.48) | Spencer Hyde |
| Quarterfinals | Chad Green (6.102 / 182.58) | Ron Capps |
| Quarterfinals | Alexis DeJoria (4.005 / 327.98) | Dave Richards |
| Semifinals | Chad Green (3.969 / 323.66) | Austin Prock |
| Semifinals | Alexis DeJoria (4.006 / 326.56) | Matt Hagan |
| Final | Chad Green (3.945 / 324.75) | Alexis DeJoria (3.965 / 328.86) |
Pro Stock
| Round | Winner (ET / MPH) | Loser |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | Greg Anderson (6.575 / 208.39) | Cody Anderson |
| Round 1 | Aaron Stanfield (6.595 / 207.82) | Matt Hartford |
| Quarterfinals | Greg Anderson (6.615 / 206.89) | Matt Latino |
| Quarterfinals | Aaron Stanfield (6.630 / 208.39) | Jeg Coughlin Jr. |
| Semifinals | Greg Anderson (6.597 / 206.99) | Erica Enders |
| Semifinals | Aaron Stanfield (6.639 / 207.18) | Greg Stanfield |
| Final | Aaron Stanfield (6.595 / 208.46) | Greg Anderson (red, 6.573 / 208.59) |
Pro Stock Motorcycle
| Round | Winner (ET / MPH) | Loser |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | Matt Smith (6.825 / 200.26) | Jianna Evaristo |
| Round 1 | Angie Smith (6.784 / 200.23) | single |
| Quarterfinals | Matt Smith (6.832 / 197.57) | Gaige Herrera |
| Quarterfinals | Angie Smith (6.809 / 198.76) | Chase Van Sant |
| Semifinals | Matt Smith (6.823 / 199.58) | Brayden Davis |
| Semifinals | Angie Smith (6.774 / 200.35) | Richard Gadson |
| Final | Matt Smith (6.835 / 185.41) | Angie Smith (1.450, no time) |
JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod
| Round | Winner (ET / MPH) | Loser |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | Derek Menholt (5.748 / 248.07) | Alex Laughlin |
| Round 1 | Jason Collins (5.742 / 249.58) | Kevin Rivenbark |
| Quarterfinals | Derek Menholt (5.708 / 250.23) | JR Gray |
| Quarterfinals | Jason Collins (5.772 / 248.07) | Mike Stavrinos |
| Semifinals | Derek Menholt (5.730 / 249.30) | Justin Bond |
| Semifinals | Jason Collins (5.748 / 248.43) | Billy Banaka |
| Final | Derek Menholt (5.692 / 250.23) | Jason Collins (7.417 / 121.75) |
Track Records
The Route 66 Raceway track ET and speed records held through Sunday’s eliminations – winning final-round runs were slower than the standing marks.
Class Track ET Record Track Speed Record Top Fuel 3.661 sec – Doug Kalitta (May ’25) 338.09 mph – Antron Brown (May ’25) Funny Car 3.831 sec – Robert Hight (May ’23) 336.40 mph – J.R. Todd (May ’25) Pro Stock 6.510 sec – Dallas Glenn (May ’23) 212.39 mph – Greg Anderson (June ’19) Pro Stock Motorcycle 6.672 sec – Gaige Herrera (May ’23) 204.26 mph – Matt Smith (May ’25)
Drag Illustrated Coverage
Every Drag Illustrated story filed across the weekend at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, newest first:
- Spencer Hyde Gains Consistency in Chicago – Reigning NHRA Rookie of the Year Spencer Hyde made his best pass of the season at Route 66, qualifying No. 5 in Funny Car with three 3.9-second runs.
- John Force Racing Recap: DeJoria Runners-up, Hart Earns Semifinal Finish at NHRA Route 66 Nationals – Alexis DeJoria runners-up and Josh Hart semifinals as John Force Racing recaps its Route 66 weekend.
- Maddi Gordon Records Strong Qualifying Performance, Quarterfinal Finish in Chicago – Top Fuel rookie Maddi Gordon qualified No. 2 in the Carlyle Tools dragster and advanced to the quarterfinals at Route 66.
- Strong Qualifying Effort, Quarterfinal Finish in Chicago Moves Ron Capps Back to the Top of the Funny Car Standings – Ron Capps qualified No. 2 and earned bonus points before a quarterfinal exit, reclaiming the Funny Car points lead.
- Jonathan Allegrucci Wins Second in a Row; Captures Chicago Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Title – Points leader Jonathan Allegrucci backs up his last win by beating Jason Dietsch in an all-Mustang final for the FSS title.
- Consistency Carries Alexis DeJoria to Runner-Up Finish at NHRA Route 66 Nationals – Alexis DeJoria drives her Bandero Café Chevrolet SS to her second final-round appearance of 2026 at Route 66 Raceway.
- Langdon, Green, A. Stanfield, and M. Smith Roll to Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals Wins – Sunday final-round winners crowned at Route 66: Shawn Langdon (Top Fuel), Chad Green (Funny Car), Aaron Stanfield (Pro Stock), Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle).
- Menholt Takes Points Lead With JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Series Win in Chicago at Race Powered by ProFlow Pumping Solutions – Derek Menholt becomes 2026’s first two-time NHRA Pro Mod winner, beating Jason Collins in the final to take over the series points lead.
- Greg Anderson Isn’t Singing the Blues; He’s on a Mission Heading Into Raceday in Chicago – Pro Stock veteran Greg Anderson liked his Q4 numbers heading into raceday at Route 66.
- Alexis DeJoria Wins Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge in Chicago – Alexis DeJoria adds a Saturday Mission Challenge trophy to her Sunday runner-up plate.
- Defending Event Champion Jason Dietsch Runs to Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown No. 1 at Route 66 Nationals in Chicago – Defending Factory Stock Showdown event winner Jason Dietsch put up the No. 1 qualifier in Joliet.
- Langdon, DeJoria, Enders, and Herrera Get Wins in Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge at Route 66 Raceway – Saturday Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge wins for the four pro categories at Route 66 Raceway.
- NHRA Roars Into Chicago at Fan-Favorite Route 66 Raceway for Gerber Collision & Glass NHRA Route 66 Nationals – The full event preview from Drag Illustrated.
- Hartman Father-Son Combo Looks to Take Win at Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown in Chicago – The Factory Stock storyline to watch.
- Drag Race Bracket Bonanza Partners with PEAK in Chicago – PEAK’s expanded footprint at the event.
- Racing Electronics Becomes Official Radio Supplier of Ron Capps Motorsports – New tech partnership for Ron Capps headed into Joliet.
- Ron Capps Looks Ahead to Chicago After Challenging Southern Nationals Weekend – Capps’ Q&A heading to Route 66.
- Top Fuel’s Justin Ashley Likes Team’s Progress Approaching Gerber Collision & Glass NHRA Route 66 Nationals – Ashley likes where his SCAG Racing team is at heading into Route 66 after key adjustments.
- Jack Beckman and the Peak Squad Hope to Reach the Peak Again at NHRA Route 66 Nationals – The defending Funny Car winner is chasing a smoother path to victory lane in Joliet.
- TJ Zizzo Looking to Make a Statement in Front of Hometown Fans at NHRA Route 66 Nationals – Chicago-area Top Fuel veteran ready to make noise in front of his home crowd.
- Funny Car Winner Jordan Vandergriff Eyes Chicago Success at Gerber Collision & Glass NHRA Route 66 Nationals – Vandergriff carries his first career Funny Car win into Route 66 with momentum on his side.
- Steve Johnson Racing Storms Into Chicago for NHRA Route 66 Nationals – The 200-mph Suzuki rider hunts redemption at fabled Route 66 Raceway.
- Krista Baldwin Returns to NHRA Top Fuel Competition at Route 66 Nationals With Special Tribute to “The Greek” – Baldwin returns to Top Fuel in Joliet with a heartfelt tribute to her grandfather, Chris “The Greek” Karamesines.
- Kalitta, Beckman, Enders, and Angie Smith Start in Provisional No. 1 Spots at Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals – Friday provisional qualifying recap from Route 66 Raceway.
- JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Series Heads to Chicago at Race Powered by ProFlow Pumping Solutions – Pro Mod returns to Chicago with a loaded field and a new presenting sponsor.
- Matt Hagan, Leah Pruett Look to Carry Momentum Into Chicago for NHRA Route 66 Nationals – Tony Stewart Racing’s Funny Car and Top Fuel duo eye more hardware in Joliet.
- Chris King Fired Up to Race Hometown National Event in Chicago – Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Chris King relishes a hometown national event.
- TJ Zizzo Keeps Busy and Positive During Hometown Race in Chicago – Chicago native TJ Zizzo and the Rust-Oleum Top Fuel team turned in a memorable hometown weekend, qualifying No. 10 in a stacked field at Route 66 Raceway.
- Chris King Makes Solid Start to 2026 Season in Chicago – Chicago firefighter and independent Funny Car driver Chris King kicks off his 2026 NHRA season with a determined run at Route 66 Raceway.
Photo Gallery
Selected images from race weekend at Route 66 Raceway. Photos courtesy NHRA/National Dragster. Additional Sunday photography to be added.
How the Weekend Played Out
All times Central. Spectator gates open at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Friday, May 15 – Qualifying Day 1
| Time (CT) | Session |
|---|---|
| 12:45 p.m. | Pro Mod Q1 |
| 1:30 p.m. | Pro Stock Motorcycle & Pro Stock Q1 |
| 2:30 p.m. | Nitro Q1 (Funny Car, Top Fuel) |
| 3:30 p.m. | Pro Mod Q2 |
| 4:00 p.m. | Pro Stock Motorcycle & Pro Stock Q2 |
| 5:00 p.m. | Nitro Q2 with Chris Karamesines in the PA Booth |
Saturday, May 16 – Qualifying Day 2 + Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge
| Time (CT) | Session |
|---|---|
| 11:30 a.m. | Pro Mod Q3 |
| 12:00 p.m. | Top Fuel Q3 + Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge Round 1 |
| 12:30 p.m. | Funny Car Q3 + Mission Challenge Round 1 |
| 1:00 p.m. | Pro Stock Q3 + Mission Challenge Round 1 |
| 1:30 p.m. | Pro Stock Motorcycle Q3 + Mission Challenge Round 1 |
| 2:00 p.m. | Pro Mod Q4 |
| 2:30 p.m. | Top Fuel Q4 + Mission Challenge Finals |
| 3:00 p.m. | Funny Car Q4 + Mission Challenge Finals |
| 3:30 p.m. | Pro Stock Q4 + Mission Challenge Finals |
| 4:00 p.m. | Pro Stock Motorcycle Q4 + Mission Challenge Finals |
Sunday, May 17 – Eliminations
| Time (CT) | Session |
|---|---|
| 9:45 a.m. | SealMaster Track Walk & Driver Introductions |
| 11:00 a.m. | Mission Foods Series Eliminations begin (Top Fuel first) |
Track address: 500 Speedway Blvd, Joliet, IL 60433. Race results sourced from Drag Race Central via CompuLink timing data.
This story was originally published on May 12, 2026. 
