For the first time in his career, Pro Stock Motorcycle standout Richard Gadson is the points leader as the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series travels to World Wide Technology Raceway for this weekend’s NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals and the third race of the 2025 Countdown to the Championship playoffs.
At the beginning of the year, Gadson had yet to win an NHRA race, coming up just short in his standout rookie season. But this year, he’s enjoyed a breakout campaign on his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki, winning three races and taking over the points lead following his victory last weekend in Charlotte.
As Gadson and the rest of the Pro Stock Motorcycle field gear up for the final event of a three-race swing to open the NHRA playoffs, Gadson knows that during the Countdown, every point is valuable and the stakes are high.
“At this point, I know I need to stay humble and just try to keep doing whatever the heck I’m going to get these win lights on Sunday.” said Gadson. “One of my biggest things lately is just trying to be mentally and physically prepared for it. I know I can ride a motorcycle, but it’s everything that happens before I even get to the racetrack that’s been helping me to be consistent.
“I know it’s going to be a dogfight and I got a six-time champ (Matt Smith), a guy is trying to compete for three straight (Herrera), and a bunch of other people out there, and I just don’t want to be the weak link. I want to be one of those guys that those guys think about. If I can keep this up, it’s going to be a good Countdown to the Championship.”
Last season, Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel), Jack Beckman (Funny Car), Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock) and Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) each claimed wins in St. Louis, and this year’s race will once again be broadcast on FS1, with elimination coverage airing at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 28.
Gadson rides the RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki for the powerhouse Vance & Hines team. For most of 2025, and the two previous years, the field has been dominated by Gadson’s teammate and reigning world champion, Herrera.
But with two early-round losses in the playoffs, Herrera has fallen to fourth in the points following Charlotte, 71 points back of Gadson. Six-time world champion Smith sits second in points after finishing runner-up to Gadson in Charlotte, trailing by only eight points, while Reading winner John Hall is third and 66 points behind.
“Being in points lead, when I’m at home and I look at the points, or even my name in second place, I read my name and then I’ll like read it again because I just can’t believe it’s real, that I’m in this position,” Gadson said. “I owe of this to the boys at Vance & Hines, to our sponsors and to Terry (Vance) and Byron (Hines) who put me in this position.”
The Top Fuel race is a heated one, as Doug Kalitta holds a small advantage over Charlotte winner Justin Ashley, Shawn Langdon and regular-season champion Tony Stewart. Others to watch include Clay Millican and Britany Force, who is set to retire from full-time racing at the end of 2025.
Beckman took over for NHRA legend John Force last season and went on to win twice in the Countdown, including the NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals. This year, everyone is again chasing reigning Funny Car champion Austin Prock, who has the points lead and eight wins this season. Multi-time champions Matt Hagan and Ron Capps are close behind as they aim to get closer in St. Louis.
Pro Stock’s Glenn currently leads the class after earning back-to-back Countdown wins in Reading and Charlotte. After coming up short for the 2024 world championship last season to his teammate Greg Anderson, Glenn is more determined than ever to continue his momentum into the rest of the playoffs.
The NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series, Flexjet NHRA Factory Stock Showdown, Holley EFI Factory X and Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage Mountain Motor Pro Stock. It is the final race of the season in Factory Stock Showdown and Mountain Motor Pro Stock.
Fans will be invited to the Nitro Alley Stage, which hosts Nitro School, meet and greets, music and more. Race fans at World Wide Technology Raceway can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce and celebrate each driver racing for the prestigious Wally on Sunday and includes the fan favorite SealMaster Track Walk. The final can’t-miss experience of any NHRA event is the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday after racing concludes, where fans are invited to congratulate the St. Louis event winners.
As always, fans get a pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. Fans can see their favorite teams in action and servicing their hot rods between rounds, get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers, and more. They can also visit NHRA’s Manufacturers Midway, which includes interactive displays, merchandise, food, and fun.
NHRA Mission Food Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 5 and 7 p.m. CT on Friday, Sept. 26, and the final two rounds on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 12:15 and 3 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. CT on Sunday, Sept. 28. Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 2 p.m. ET on Sunday and then eliminations coverage starting at 3 p.m. ET.
Tickets may be purchased at the WWTR ticket office, by phone at (618) 215-8888, or online at www.wwtraceway.com. All children 12 and under will be admitted free in the general admission area with a paid adult. For more information on NHRA, visit www.NHRA.com.
This story was originally published on September 25, 2025. 
