Complete coverage of the 2026 NHRA Mission #2Fast2Tasty Southern Nationals from South Georgia Motorsports Park in Adel, Georgia – May 1-3, 2026. The first NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series national event ever held at SGMP, in front of a sellout crowd. Winners, qualifying, eliminations, and full Drag Illustrated coverage all in one place.
Jump to: Winners · Storylines · Qualifying · Eliminations · Schedule · Full Coverage
2026 NHRA Southern Nationals Winners
| Class | Winner | Final ET / MPH | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top Fuel | Shawn Langdon | 3.808s @ 333.16 mph | Doug Kalitta (3.954 @ 314.61) |
| Funny Car | Jordan Vandergriff | 4.007s @ 314.17 mph | J.R. Todd |
| Pro Stock | Dallas Glenn | 6.642s @ 211.39 mph | Troy Coughlin Jr. |
| Pro Stock Motorcycle | Matt Smith | 6.724s @ 202.06 mph | Richard Gadson |
| JBS Equipment Pro Mod | Jason Collins | 5.731s @ 252.99 mph | Mike Thielen |
Full winner’s recap: Sellout Crowd Sees Langdon, Vandergriff, Glenn, and M. Smith Win NHRA Southern Nationals
Pro Mod winner’s story: Jason Collins Earns First JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Wally in Second Career Start
The Stories That Defined the Weekend
Watch the finals: Vandergriff (FC) · Langdon (TF) · Glenn (PS) · Smith (PSM)
Langdon’s 345-mph blast and points-lead win
Top Fuel’s Shawn Langdon made the fastest run in NHRA history Friday at 345.00 mph, then closed the weekend out Sunday by defeating teammate Doug Kalitta in the final to take his 24th career win and the points lead. Langdon’s path to the final included round wins over Cam Ferre, Antron Brown, and Clay Millican. Kalitta enters the next race four points back of his Kalitta Motorsports teammate.
A first career Wally for Jordan Vandergriff – and a sprint up the track in his uncle’s honor
Funny Car’s Jordan Vandergriff picked up his first career NHRA national event win in just his fifth event for John Force Racing, defeating No. 1 qualifier J.R. Todd in the final with a 4.007 at 314.17 mph in his Cornwell Quality Tools Chevrolet SS. Coming on the heels of his Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge win in Charlotte, Vandergriff was the only Funny Car driver to make four consistent runs all day, working through Jeff Arend, Spencer Hyde, and Hunter Green to reach the final. After the win, the Atlanta-area resident jumped out of his car and sprinted back up the lane – a tribute to his uncle Bob Vandergriff, who did the same after his Top Fuel wins.
Dallas Glenn survives a Pro Stock pedalfest day to win the trophy
Pro Stock’s elimination day at SGMP was, as Dallas Glenn put it, “probably the weirdest” he can remember – round after round of pedaling and uneven runs. Glenn made just two clean passes all day but came up with the right one when it counted, going 6.642 at 211.39 mph in his RAD Torque Systems Chevrolet Camaro to leave first on Troy Coughlin Jr. and lead wire-to-wire. The reigning world champion took home his second win of the season and 23rd career Wally.
Matt Smith caps a complete weekend in Pro Stock Motorcycle
Matt Smith capped his first victory of 2026 with a 6.724 at 202.06 mph on his Denso Auto Parts Buell to defeat Richard Gadson in the final. Smith had qualified No. 1 at each of the first three races of the season but hadn’t closed on Sunday – until SGMP, where he ran a 6.685 at 203.06 in the second round to set the tone. The 43rd win of his career; he’s now chasing a class-record seventh world championship.
Jason Collins steals the Pro Mod story in his second-ever start
In just his second career JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod start, Jason Collins qualified second, then went wire-to-wire on Sunday – including a .009 reaction time in the final round – to defeat Mike Thielen 5.731 to 252.99 mph and pick up his first career Wally. Pro Mod’s official debut at SGMP, race powered by Dixie Trucking.
Final Qualifying – No. 1 Spots
| Class | No. 1 Qualifier | Top ET / MPH |
|---|---|---|
| Top Fuel | Doug Kalitta | 3.657s @ 342.37 mph |
| Funny Car | J.R. Todd | 3.887s @ 339.28 mph |
| Pro Stock | Greg Anderson | 6.498s @ 210.60 mph |
| Pro Stock Motorcycle | Matt Smith | 6.669s @ 203.03 mph |
| JBS Equipment Pro Mod | Derek Menholt | 5.623s @ 254.09 mph |
Saturday qualifying recap: Kalitta, Todd, Anderson, and M. Smith Roll to No. 1 Positions
Friday opening session: Langdon Makes Fastest Run in NHRA History
Eliminations Notes
- Top Fuel ladder: Langdon defeated Cam Ferre, Antron Brown, and Clay Millican on the way to the final. Kalitta defeated Leah Pruett and Justin Ashley.
- Funny Car ladder: Vandergriff worked through Jeff Arend, Spencer Hyde, and Hunter Green. Todd took out Daniel Wilkerson and Alexis DeJoria.
- Pro Stock: No. 1 qualifier Greg Anderson upset in round one by Matt Latino. Glenn won pedalfests against Jeg Coughlin Jr. and Greg Stanfield. Coughlin Jr. (qualified 15th) reached the final by defeating Eric Latino, Deric Kramer, and Erica Enders.
- Pro Stock Motorcycle: Gadson defeated Geno Scali, Clayton Howey, and two-time world champion Gaige Herrera. Smith got past his wife Angie en route to the final.
- Pro Mod final: Jason Collins (5.731 @ 252.99) defeated Mike Thielen – Collins led wire-to-wire from the second qualifying spot.
Schedule
| Day | Session | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, May 1 | Pro Qualifying – Q1 & Q2 | Complete |
| Saturday, May 2 | Pro Qualifying – Q3 & Q4 | Complete |
| Sunday, May 3 | Eliminations + Final Round | Complete |
Race Weekend at a Glance
| Event | 2026 NHRA Mission #2Fast2Tasty Southern Nationals |
| Track | South Georgia Motorsports Park, Adel, GA |
| Dates | May 1-3, 2026 |
| Historic note | First NHRA Mission Foods national event ever held at SGMP |
| Crowd | Sellout |
| Race in season | 5th of 20 races on the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series schedule |
| Pro Mod race | 4th of 11 races on the 2026 JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod schedule (Powered by Dixie Trucking) |
| Next NHRA race | Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK – Route 66 Raceway, Chicago – May 14-17 |
Full Drag Illustrated Coverage
- Sellout Crowd Sees Langdon, Vandergriff, Glenn, and M. Smith Win NHRA Southern Nationals (Sunday)
- Jason Collins Earns First JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Wally in Second Career Start (Sunday)
- Kalitta, Todd, Anderson, and M. Smith Roll to No. 1 Positions (Saturday)
- Peachy Start for Greg Anderson and HendrickCars.com with Provisional No. 1 (Friday)
- Langdon Makes Fastest Run in NHRA History (Friday)
- JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Series Thrilled for SGMP Debut (Pre-event)
- SGMP’s Raul Torres Talks Preparation Ahead of NHRA Southern Nationals (Pre-event)
- Jeg Coughlin Jr. Brings Prior Southern Nationals Success to SGMP (Pre-event)
- Leah Pruett and Matt Hagan Ready to Take On SGMP (Pre-event)
- Steve Johnson Racing Rolls Into Georgia for NHRA Southern Nationals (Pre-event)
- Funny Car’s J.R. Todd Looks to Win NHRA Debut at SGMP (Pre-event)
- Spencer Hyde Set for Rare Double-Duty Weekend at SGMP (Pre-event)
- Jack Beckman’s Season on the Way Up Heading Into NHRA Southern Nationals (Pre-event)
- Top Fuel’s Leah Pruett Closing in on Win Approaching NHRA Southern Nationals (Pre-event)
Photo Gallery
Photos from the 2026 NHRA Southern Nationals at South Georgia Motorsports Park. All photos: NHRA/National Dragster.
This story was originally published on May 4, 2026. 
