The NHRA Countdown Championship Update reaches a critical midway point this weekend at the World Wide Technology Raceway in St. Louis, where intense competition continues across all four professional classes. The NAPA Midwest Nationals will mark a turning point, as several contenders near the lower end of the standings will face elimination from championship contention.
Pro Stock Leaders Hold Advantage While Others Risk Falling Out
In the Pro Stock category, most drivers behind the KB Titan Racing duo of Dallas Glenn and Greg Anderson are battling to avoid elimination. Glenn leads the way, distinguished as the only driver across all categories to have won both initial playoff events, while Anderson, a six-time champion, remains a formidable presence. The pressure is mounting for nearly everyone else in this division as they aim to secure enough points to stay in the chase.
Top Fuel Title Fight Intensifies With Narrow Point Margins
Top Fuel features a tight leaderboard with the top six drivers separated by only 108 points. Doug Kalitta, holding the No. 1 seed and seeking his second championship in three years, has only taken the lead since the Countdown began. Close behind him are Justin Ashley, Shawn Langdon, Tony Stewart, Clay Millican, and Brittany Force, each pushing hard to close the gap before the finale in November, where points are even more critical.
Justin Ashley has impressively climbed from 14th place by securing four wins in seven final rounds, aiming for his first championship. Meanwhile, Shawn Langdon, who has never finished better than fourth since his 2013 title, remains motivated despite the setback of losing his Richmond victory due to a technical violation unrelated to him.
Tony Stewart’s Challenging Road in Top Fuel Competition
Tony Stewart has endured a particularly difficult stretch since June, facing two concussions and multiple blown engines within two races, alongside a severe crash with Kalitta at the Countdown opener. Stewart’s season also includes personal developments, such as announcing his wife Leah’s return to racing in 2026 and his potential partnership with Elite Motorsports, conditional on funding. Further stirring controversy, Stewart was disqualified during time trials at the season’s first playoff race in Charlotte, adding to the tension.
In addition to his driving challenges, Stewart is handling significant expenses as a team owner, notably repairs following Matt Hagan’s damaged Funny Car bodies. Despite these setbacks, he earned a $150,000 prize for being the sport’s first regular-season champion at Indianapolis.
Funny Car Contest Remains Competitive Among Top Drivers
The Funny Car division centers on Austin Prock, who recently swept all three four-wide events, tallying eight wins in 10 finals during the season. Prock still faces fierce competition from Matt Hagan, 79 points behind, veteran Ron Capps at 94 points back, and the 2012 champion Jack Beckman, who trails Capps by just four points. This narrow points spread intensifies the fight as the championship nears its conclusion.
Pro Stock Motorcycle Sees Leadership Shifts Amid Tight Point Gaps
In the Pro Stock Motorcycle class, Richard Gadson has taken over the points lead, overtaking two-time reigning champion Gaige Herrera, who now ranks third but remains within 71 points. Between them lies Matt Smith, a six-time champion, trailing by only eight points, and John Hall, 66 points behind. The close competition indicates that the battle for the title remains open as the Countdown advances.
Upcoming Qualifying and Elimination Schedule at Madison Dragstrip
Qualifying rounds begin Friday at the Madison, Illinois dragstrip, with the final two qualifying sessions scheduled for Saturday. The eliminations will commence Sunday, setting the stage for pivotal performances that could reshape the Championship standings.
Experienced Journalist Highlights Human Stories Behind the NHRA Action
Susan Wade, a Seattle–area resident for four decades and an Indianapolis native, brings nearly 30 years of motorsports reporting to her coverage of the NHRA. Known for her focus on the human-interest stories within drag racing, Wade was the first non-NASCAR writer to receive the Russ Catlin Award. Throughout her career, she has contributed to prominent publications such as the Chicago Tribune, Newark Star-Ledger, and Seattle Times, as well as freelancing for Autoweek since 2016.
“Tony Stewart Staying in NHRA Top Fuel Class” ?Tony Stewart
“Top Fuel’s Ashley Bumps Up to Second in Countdown” ?Justin Ashley
“Does Seeding Matter in the Countdown? It Depends” ?NHRA Analyst
“NHRA Teams Cosplay as NASCAR for a Day” ?Event Organizer
