NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Alexis DeJoria delivered a standout performance under the lights Friday at World Wide Technology Raceway, powering to the provisional No. 1 position in Funny Car at the NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals. Shawn Langdon in Top Fuel, Troy Coughlin Jr. in Pro Stock and Gaige Herrera in Pro Stock Motorcycle also finished Friday as provisional No. 1 qualifiers at the 17th of 20 races in the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season and the third of six events in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs.

DeJoria clocked a 3.882-second pass at 334.65 mph to close out the first day of qualifying atop the field. If the run holds through Saturday’s final two sessions, the six-time Funny Car event winner will earn her first No. 1 qualifier of the 2026 season.

The strong opening day came at an ideal time for DeJoria and her team as they look to build momentum during the Countdown to the Championship.

“Our car is set up exactly the way it should be, and this is the right time to get hot in the season,” DeJoria said. “We have the consistency, but we needed to step it up. We needed to run those faster numbers, those quicker numbers, especially with where we stand. So, we’re off to a good start.

“Having that consistency, no matter what the conditions are, is really important. So far, we’ve got a good hot-weather setup and a cool-weather setup.”

“Our car is set up exactly the way it should be, and this is the right time to get hot in the season.”
— Alexis DeJoria

Langdon continued his impressive qualifying season with a 3.679-second pass at 339.87 mph in his Kalitta Motorsports Top Fuel dragster. It was the only 3.60-second run of the opening session and gave the championship leader a commanding .038-second advantage over the rest of the field.

“The car is responding very well to the changes that Brian makes. It’s a great race car,” said Langdon.

Langdon entered St. Louis chasing his fourth consecutive victory after winning the first two races of the Countdown to the Championship. If his 3.679 remains the quickest run through Saturday’s final qualifying sessions, he will secure his seventh No. 1 qualifier of the season.

“The records and the speeds and all that are cool to see, but more importantly, you just want the points.”
— Shawn Langdon

In Pro Stock, Coughlin powered his JEGS.com Chevrolet Camaro to a 6.473 at 211.69 mph, putting him in position to earn his first No. 1 qualifier of the season.

Coughlin credited crew chief Kyle Bates and the entire JEGS team for remaining focused while working to give him a consistently competitive race car.

“Kyle Bates and the boys have the JEGS machine flying today,” Coughlin said. “They have been so diligent and haven’t given up on giving me a great race car. Our people make this possible.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been the low qualifier, so it feels good. Now the focus is on tomorrow and making two more solid passes that really help our race-day setup. We’re gaining momentum and consistency, and that’s important.

“I just want to make sure I can be the best for these guys. They’ve given me the race car to get the job done. I just want to be the driver who can get the job done for this team.”

“They’ve given me the race car to get the job done. I just want to be the driver who can get the job done for this team.”
— Troy Coughlin Jr.

Herrera set the pace in Pro Stock Motorcycle with a 6.666-second pass at 202.03 mph aboard his Suzuki, exceeding the team’s expectations during Friday night’s prime conditions. If the run holds through Saturday, it will give Herrera his third No. 1 qualifier of the season.

“My bike’s been on rails. It’s just coming down to me doing my job,” Herrera said. “Running a 6.66 here in St. Louis is very cool, especially at night under the lights. I was very surprised. We went up there hoping for a 6.67, but it stuck to the track really good.”

With warmer conditions expected Saturday, Herrera said the final two qualifying sessions should provide valuable information for Sunday’s eliminations.

“Tonight was the premium track conditions where we could lay it all out,” Herrera said. “Tomorrow is going to get us ready for Sunday. We just have to adjust for it and try to get a ‘bracket bike,’ as I like to call it. My bike always seems to run really close every run, as long as I do my job.”

Herrera also welcomed the return to the traditional NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle starting tree following the different format used at Rockingham.

“Me and Richard were laughing at the finish line. We both cut .040 lights—we’re back at home,” Herrera said. “That was a big monkey off our back. We don’t go up there now just worrying about going green. We can go up there and race.”

In the thick of the Countdown to the Championship battle, Herrera knows every qualifying point could prove important.

“It’s nice to have the provisional No. 1,” Herrera said. “That’s another bonus point, so we’re just chipping away at it.”

“My bike’s been on rails. It’s just coming down to me doing my job.”
— Gaige Herrera

Qualifying continues Saturday at noon ET at the NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals at World Wide Technology Raceway.