Competing in one of the most technologically advanced categories can place quite a burden on a driver. When the equipment beneath you comes from the most successful team in NHRA Pro Stock history, one is tasked with rising to meet the capability of said equipment, but on Friday at the facility nestled in the shadow of the St. Louis Arch, Eric Latino did just that. Driving the GESi Chevrolet Camaro out of the famed KB Titan Racing (KBT) stable, Latino took full advantage of the power available and hit every mark just right to move into position as the provisional No. 1 qualifier.
In doing so, Latino also scored World Wide Technology Raceway’s special 2025 Friday No. 1 Qualifier Top Hitter bat from Rawlings. As the provisional pole changed hands between drivers throughout the session, so did the sleek etched commemorative baseball bat. As the elapsed times got quicker and quicker, each driver in the lead would take possession of the bat and take a seat in a stadium-style chair at the top end. KB Titan teammate Dallas Glenn, the incoming points leader, had hold of the bat when Latino blazed to a blistering 6.515-second pass at 209.75.
“That was pretty exciting,” said Latino, a member of the Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame for his achievements in a Pro Mod car. “I saw Dallas Glenn sitting up on top of the chair holding a baseball bat and I didn’t know how I ran. I felt like it was a good run. As I came around the corner, they opened the door and told me to hurry up and get up there, Dallas Glenn is off the seat and that baseball bat is yours. I was a little bit in disbelief because it’s really tough to be No. 1 qualifier in this class. I’ve been waiting a long time for this, so I’m pretty excited. It was just a good run.”
In addition to the bat and the lofty position, Latino also brought home three bonus points in the second qualifying session as the quickest of the round, and in the opening qualifier, he was third-best for a bonus point. Additional top marks went to KBT teammate Cory Reed, who was low of the opening round in his J&A Service Camaro and third best in the night’s final act for a total of four. Glenn, driving for RAD Torque Systems, was second quickest both sessions for four extra points.
At present, Latino’s position has him set for a Sunday start against his son, Rookie of the Year candidate Matt, driving the FASS Diesel Fuel Systems Chevrolet. The younger Latino ran into a spot of trouble in one session but laid down a 6.577 with a plentiful speed of 209.72 mph in the other to keep a spot in the field. If the qualifying positions should remain unchanged, the two will race one another in the first round on Sunday in St. Louis.
“I do not want to face Matt. Last time, his first race in Pomona, I was up against Matt and he put me on the trailer,” said Latino. “Tomorrow, Matt’s car is going to advance. We’ve got some issues to figure out, but he’s going to move. He will not be running me on Sunday.”
Glenn is No. 2 for now, with Reed No. 3. KB Titan-powered Matt Hartford, in his Eddie Guarnaccia-tuned Total Seal machine, made a positive move in the right direction with a 6.529, 209.72 that has him in the No. 4 position heading into Saturday.
Although Greg Anderson’s first pass of the day landed him uncharacteristically on the bump, he made up ground in the later session and drove the HendrickCars.com Chevrolet to a 6.541 and moved up to No. 7. Cody Coughlin, in his Cody Construction Group entry, is just behind his teammate in the No. 8 spot, and Get BioFuel campaigner Deric Kramer has not yet made the run he’s looking for and will be looking to break into the field tomorrow.
Qualifying for the NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals will continue on Saturday at World Wide Technology Raceway, with sessions scheduled at 12:15 p.m. and 3 p.m. Central Time.
This story was originally published on September 27, 2025.
The post Eric Latino Scores Provisional Pole, In Line For Career-First No. 1 at NHRA Midwest Nationals first appeared on Drag Illustrated.