Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 21 hours ago
The 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series opened in record-setting fashion Friday night at the historic NHRA Gatornationals.
Josh Hart delivered the headline run of the evening, blasting to a 3.658-second pass at 340.30 mph, the fastest run ever recorded at Gainesville Raceway, to take the provisional No. 1 qualifying position in Top Fuel.
The performance marked Hart’s first race with John Force Racing, making an immediate statement in the season opener as NHRA begins its 75th anniversary season.
Driving the 12,000-horsepower Burnyzz/Speedmaster dragster, Hart capped the final nitro session with a pass that placed him ahead of a loaded Top Fuel field that included Shawn Langdon and Leah Pruett.
The opening day of qualifying also saw provisional No. 1 qualifiers in every professional category:
🏁 Ron Capps – Funny Car (3.890, 334.07 mph)
🏁 Cody Coughlin – Pro Stock (6.523, 210.01 mph)
🏁 Angie Smith – Pro Stock Motorcycle (6.740, 199.58 mph)
Capps’ run was the only Funny Car pass in the 3.80-second range, while Coughlin led a competitive 21-car Pro Stock field for KB Titan Racing. Smith overcame an early mechanical failure to take the top spot in Pro Stock Motorcycle.
Saturday qualifying will also feature the Right Trailers Top Fuel All-Star Callout, with Doug Kalitta selecting Clay Millican in the opening matchup.
With record speeds, championship contenders, and NHRA’s milestone 75th anniversary season underway, the stage is set for a dramatic weekend at Gainesville Raceway.
For the latest drag racing news and exclusive coverage visit:
👉 competitionplus.com
🏁 #NHRA #Gatornationals #DragRacing #TopFuel #FunnyCar #ProStock #ProStockMotorcycle #JoshHart #JohnForceRacing #NHRA75 #Motorsports #CompetitionPlusTV #PEAKSquad
The 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series opened in record-setting fashion Friday night at the historic NHRA Gatornationals.
Josh Hart delivered the headline run of the evening, blasting to a 3.658-second pass at 340.30 mph, the fastest run ever recorded at Gainesville Raceway, to take the provisional No. 1 qualifying position in Top Fuel.
The performance marked Hart’s first race with John Force Racing, making an immediate statement in the season opener as NHRA begins its 75th anniversary season.
Driving the 12,000-horsepower Burnyzz/Speedmaster dragster, Hart capped the final nitro session with a pass that placed him ahead of a loaded Top Fuel field that included Shawn Langdon and Leah Pruett.
The opening day of qualifying also saw provisional No. 1 qualifiers in every professional category:
🏁 Ron Capps – Funny Car (3.890, 334.07 mph)
🏁 Cody Coughlin – Pro Stock (6.523, 210.01 mph)
🏁 Angie Smith – Pro Stock Motorcycle (6.740, 199.58 mph)
Capps’ run was the only Funny Car pass in the 3.80-second range, while Coughlin led a competitive 21-car Pro Stock field for KB Titan Racing. Smith overcame an early mechanical failure to take the top spot in Pro Stock Motorcycle.
Saturday qualifying will also feature the Right Trailers Top Fuel All-Star Callout, with Doug Kalitta selecting Clay Millican in the opening matchup.
With record speeds, championship contenders, and NHRA’s milestone 75th anniversary season underway, the stage is set for a dramatic weekend at Gainesville Raceway.
For the latest drag racing news and exclusive coverage visit:
👉 competitionplus.com
🏁 #NHRA #Gatornationals #DragRacing #TopFuel #FunnyCar #ProStock #ProStockMotorcycle #JoshHart #JohnForceRacing #NHRA75 #Motorsports #CompetitionPlusTV #PEAKSquad
