At the 71st Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals held at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, Tony Stewart secured the NHRA U.S. Nationals Highlights by capturing the regular-season championship in Top Fuel. His victory on Monday was significant not only because it reinstated his lead in the points standings but also due to its connection to his past racing achievements at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
After his first-round win against Steve Torrence, Stewart reflected on a familiar feeling he experienced that morning, reminiscent of the emotions tied to his victories in the 2005 and 2007 Brickyard 400 NASCAR events.
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it was just weird when I woke up this morning. I had the same feeling as the two years we won the Brickyard.
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he said, emphasizing the unique mindset required for success. He added,
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You can’t explain it. You just know what you know,
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and that such intuition, while not a guarantee of success, is crucial to preparing mentally:
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Doesn’t mean it’s a guarantee, but it puts you in the right frame of mind.
”
Stewart’s confidence proved justified as he overcame Doug Kalitta and Shawn Langdon to reclaim the points lead, which he had lost three races prior. In addition to winning the regular-season title and a $150,000 prize, Stewart reached his eighth final round in drag racing and fifth in Top Fuel.
He shared his optimistic outlook for the day, saying,
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something good is going to happen. We knew we needed a little bit of help and a little bit of luck. And we got it. It’s been an awesome day,
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as key competitors exited early, clearing his path toward the top spot. Notably, with points leader Shawn Langdon eliminated in the opening round, Stewart defeated Kyle Wurtzel in the quarterfinals and Jasmine Salinas in the semifinals. Subsequently, he secured the No. 1 seed for the upcoming Countdown to the Championship portion of the season after Doug Kalitta lost to Justin Ashley in the other semifinal.
Justin Ashley, Stewart’s opponent in the final, was also chasing his first U.S. Nationals win, which Ashley ultimately claimed, continuing a family legacy as his father Mike Ashley was a 2007 Funny Car class winner at the event.
The regular-season champions for other categories included Austin Prock for Funny Car, Dallas Glenn in Pro Stock, and Gaige Herrera in Pro Stock Motorcycle.
Austin Prock Dominates Funny Car for Consecutive Victories and Prize Earnings
In Funny Car competition, Austin Prock continued his strong form by winning the U.S. Nationals back-to-back and securing the regular-season championship. Sitting atop his Cornwell Tools Camaro after his final round win over teammate Jack Beckman, Prock contemplated the considerable earnings from the weekend. Although modest about the sum, he estimated,
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I’m horrible at math, but I think it’s north of $250 [thousand],
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referring to the total prize money.
His actual payout was $330,000, comprised of $100,000 for the race victory, $150,000 for the regular-season title, and an additional $80,000 for winning the Saturday All-star Callout bonus event. Prock’s consistent performances put him at the top of the Funny Car standings as the season progresses.
Gaige Herrera Extends Winning Streak in Pro Stock Motorcycle Class
Gaige Herrera, a two-time and reigning Pro Stock Motorcycle champion from the Vance & Hines team, recorded his fifth win of the season and 26th career victory by defeating Brayden Davis in the final round. Earlier that day, Herrera clinched the regular-season championship, solidifying his dominance in the category.
Commenting on his match with 20-year-old rising star Davis, Herrera remarked with competitive spirit,
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I can’t let that little kid whip my butt.
”
His ongoing success positions him as a favorite heading into the remaining events of the season.
Erica Enders Breaks Long Drought with 50th Career Victory in Pro Stock
In the Pro Stock category, Erica Enders triumphed over Matt Hartford to secure her 50th career victory and her fourth U.S. Nationals win. Hartford, the 2023 U.S. Nationals champion, entered the final round seeking revenge, stating,
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I got one win and one runner-up [finish] at Indy. My runner-up came against her. I want revenge.
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Despite Hartford’s hopes, Enders proved unstoppable and overcame a dry spell of 33 races since her last win in March 2024.
Enders, recognized as the most successful woman in motorsports history, reflected on her journey at Indianapolis, sharing,
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kind of wondered if I still had it,
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and recalled
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rolling under the arch in 1994 as a little girl
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before realizing the challenge to reach 50 wins. Relieved and proud, she expressed being glad that
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that No. 50 is off my back.
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Record-Breaking Speed by Brittany Force Falls Short of Victory
Brittany Force stunned fans and competitors by achieving the fastest speed ever recorded in NHRA Top Fuel history during her opening round run against Ida Zetterström. Her pass reached 343.51 mph over the 1,000-foot track at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, marking her tenth time surpassing 340 mph and highlighting her speed prowess across six venues including Charlotte, Epping, and Seattle.
Despite this remarkable speed, Force’s victories have been limited, with only one win at Epping, N.H., to date. Four-time Top Fuel champion Steve Torrence put things in perspective by emphasizing,
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all the attention that it gets
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does not influence race outcomes since
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we race on E.T. [elapsed time].
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This underscores racing’s focus on overall performance and consistency rather than top speed alone.
Comprehensive U.S. Nationals Final Results and Updated Points Standings
The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, now in its 14th of 20 events, featured intense competition across classes at this year’s Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals. Below is a summary of the final results and key points standings for leading drivers and teams.
Top Fuel Final Results: Justin Ashley secured first place with a time of 3.839 seconds at 326.16 mph, defeating Tony Stewart, who finished in 3.815 seconds at 321.88 mph. Other top finishers included Tripp Tatum (3rd) and Jasmine Salinas (4th).
Funny Car Final Results: Austin Prock won the category driving a Chevy Camaro with a time of 3.903 seconds at 332.92 mph. He bested Jack Beckman, who completed his run in 4.553 seconds at 236.09 mph.
Pro Stock Final Results: Erica Enders finished first in a Chevy Camaro with a 6.564-second pass at 209.95 mph, narrowly defeating Matt Hartford’s 6.609-second time at 209.04 mph.
Pro Stock Motorcycle Final Results: Gaige Herrera piloted a Suzuki to victory with a 6.834-second run at 199.32 mph over Brayden Davis, who posted a 6.799-second pass at 198.93 mph.
Other class winners included Shawn Cowie in Top Alcohol Dragster, Shane Westerfield in Top Alcohol Funny Car, and Robert Bailey in Competition Eliminator. Each contributed to the diversity and excitement of the event.
The top 10 points standings following the U.S. Nationals in major NHRA categories showed Tony Stewart leading Top Fuel with 1,138 points, followed by Shawn Langdon and Justin Ashley. Austin Prock topped Funny Car with 1,323 points. Dallas Glenn headed Pro Stock with 1,272 points, while Gaige Herrera led Pro Stock Motorcycle with 988 points.
Significance of Stewart’s Title and Season Implications
Tony Stewart’s comeback to lead the Top Fuel standings highlights the enduring competition and unpredictability of drag racing’s elite ranks. Securing the regular-season championship positions Stewart advantageously for the Countdown to the Championship, where points will reset, and every race will carry increased stakes.
Stewart’s familiarity with Indianapolis, both on the dragstrip and the NASCAR circuit, seems to provide an intangible edge, as reflected by his early-season momentum and strong finish at the U.S. Nationals. The event underscored the depth of talent across all classes, with multiple competitors seizing first-time victories or breaking long droughts.
Teams and drivers, including Erica Enders, Austin Prock, and Gaige Herrera, have solidified themselves as championship contenders, promising intense battles in the closing stages of the NHRA season. Meanwhile, Brittany Force’s record speed serves as a reminder that raw velocity must be coupled with strategy and consistency to translate into wins.
As the Countdown to the Championship begins in September, fans can anticipate thrilling matchups shaped by the momentum and performances displayed during this Pulaski Day weekend at Indianapolis.
