\n| \u00a0<\/p>\n HAGAN, KALITTA AND ANDERSON BATTLE THEIR WAY TO WINS AT NHRA BRAINERD NATIONALS<\/strong><\/p>\n\u2013 Hagan moves into FC points lead with win<\/p>\n \u2013 Kalitta caps off perfect weekend with TF victory<\/p>\n \u2013 Anderson goes back-to-back in Brainerd<\/p>\n BRAINERD, Minn. (Aug. 23, 2026) \u2013 Four-time Funny Car world champion Matt Hagan moved into the points lead, defeating Jordan Vandergriff in the final round in front of another huge crowd on Sunday at Brainerd International Raceway to win the 44th annual NHRA Brainerd Nationals.<\/p>\n Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel) and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) also won the 13th of 20 races during the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.<\/p>\n Hagan went 3.946-seconds at 320.13 mph in his 12,000-horsepower American Rebel Light Beer Dodge\/\/SRT Hellcat Funny Car to power past Vandergriff and win for the third time this season for Tony Stewart Racing. It is Hagan\u2019s 58th career win and second at Brainerd, and the triumph in the final round sent him to the top of the loaded Funny Car category.<\/p>\n Hagan was incredibly consistent on raceday, reaching the finals after defeating Jim Campbell, Chad Green and Austin Prock. Hagan went 3.94 in the final three rounds, including the finals when he quickly drove past Vandergriff, who slowed to a 4.038.<\/p>\n The standout started the weekend fifth in points but ended as the points leader in the ultra-competitive Funny Car class. Heading to Indy, Hagan will have a seven-point lead over Vandergriff, with Ron Capps, J.R. Todd and Jack Beckman all close behind. Capps is just 12 points back, with Todd and Beckman 22 and 74 points behind, respectively.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s very humbling because you never know what you\u2019re going to get in a Funny Car. If you think you\u2019re going to go out there and pound on your chest, these things will kick you in the (butt),\u201d Hagan said. \u201cI\u2019m just very grateful that we have such a good group of guys putting a great race car underneath me.<\/p>\n \u201cWe definitely could have bracket-raced this car this weekend. It just shows what our team is capable of. Everybody is just working hard and doing what they\u2019re supposed to do. As I was doing the burnout and backing up, it gave me chills, man. The fans were packed in here. NHRA is doing a great job promoting our sport, and our sport is growing every day.\u201d<\/p>\n Vandergriff, who qualified No. 1, reached the finals for the third time this season thanks to victories against Alexis DeJoria and J.R. Todd.<\/p>\n Top Fuel reigning world champion Doug Kalitta finished off an epic and flawless weekend in Brainerd, getting his third straight victory by holding off rookie Maddi Gordon in the championship round with an impressive run of 3.743 at 333.74 in his 12,000-horsepower Mac Tools dragster.<\/p>\n It\u2019s also the second straight Brainerd victory for Kalitta, who moved into the points lead on Saturday and strengthened his grip on the regular season championship on raceday. After qualifying No. 1 \u2013 making the quickest run in all four sessions \u2013 and winning the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge on Saturday, Kalitta was unbeatable on Sunday, too, rolling past Cam Ferre, Antron Brown and Justin Ashley to reach the final round.<\/p>\n Gordon left first and put up a respectable 3.770 at 328.78, but Kalitta quickly tracked her down to pick up his fourth win this season and the 63rd in his career.<\/p>\n Just like last year, Kalitta has a dominant car at the perfect time as the veteran attempts to win the world championship for the third time in the past four years. First up, Kalitta will try to win the regular season title in Indy, and he\u2019ll have an impressive 67-point lead over teammate Shawn Langdon leading into the world\u2019s biggest drag race.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was definitely an interesting day,\u201d Kalitta said. \u201cMy guys did a great job throughout the weekend, through qualifying, the Mission Foods deal and then being able to go rounds on Sunday and get to the final and beat Maddi. She\u2019s doing a great job and they\u2019re tough.<\/p>\n \u201cAlan (Johnson, crew chief) and those guys had my car running 3.74 like three times. That was enough, even with a little bit of a cushion. It was what we needed to do to get the job done today. The momentum is really good. We\u2019re all really hungry.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you get down to those last six races, every round is so important. Today actually felt that way, too. Getting by those first couple rounds, I was like, \u2018What a relief,\u2019 because you don\u2019t want to go out early.\u201d<\/p>\n Gordon reached her second final round in her debut season after getting past Scott Palmer, Tony Stewart and Leah Pruett.<\/p>\n In Pro Stock, the track where Greg Anderson grew up racing continues to be very good to the six-time world champion, as the points leader won for the second straight year in Brainerd, going 6.584 at 208.17 in his HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro to chase down first-time finalist Chris Vang.<\/p>\n It was a massive points day for Anderson after KB Titan Racing teammate and reigning world champion Dallas Glenn fell in the first round after qualifying No. 1. Anderson took advantage in a major way, defeating Mason McGaha, Troy Coughlin Jr. and Greg Stanfield to reach the finals.<\/p>\n Vang left first, but Anderson tracked him down to win for the fourth time this season and the 116th time in his spectacular career. He also opened up a significant 85-point lead over Glenn with one race remaining in the regular season. That gives Anderson a sizeable advantage as he aims to win the regular season championship in Indy. It\u2019s also the fifth career Brainerd victory for Anderson, which is the most in Pro Stock history at the standout facility.<\/p>\n \u201cThe world knows this is the place where it all started for me. I wouldn\u2019t be a Pro Stock racer today if it wasn\u2019t for this place and all the people around here,\u201d Anderson said. \u201cMy father and John Hagen gave me my start in Pro Stock. It\u2019s been a special place to me since the first time I walked on the grounds.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s pretty cool to win here and apparently have the record for most wins. This place has everything. It\u2019s a great, great event. The prestige of this one never, ever goes away. It\u2019s certainly at the top of my list, and I think it should be at the top of a lot of people\u2019s lists. To come out on top is just an incredible feeling. It never gets old, and I hope it never does. I treat every one like it\u2019s the first because you never know when the last one is going to be the last. They\u2019re all special. I hope this one wasn\u2019t the last, but I\u2019m going to enjoy the hell out of this one tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n Vang reached the final round for the first time in his young career thanks to round wins against Matt Latino, Jeg Coughlin Jr. and rookie Cody Anderson.<\/p>\n The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series returns to action Sept. 2-7 with the prestigious 72nd annual Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n BRAINERD, Minn. \u2014 Final finish order (1-16) at the 44th annual NHRA Brainerd Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway. The race is the 13th of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series.<\/p>\n TOP FUEL:<\/p>\n 1. Doug Kalitta; 2. Maddi Gordon; 3. Leah Pruett; 4. Justin Ashley; 5. Tony Stewart; 6. Antron Brown; 7. Shawn Langdon; 8. Clay Millican; 9. Billy Torrence; 10. Will Smith; 11. Josh Hart; 12. Keith Murt; 13. Cameron Ferre; 14. Scott Palmer; 15. Tony Schumacher; 16. Shawn Reed.<\/p>\n FUNNY CAR:<\/p>\n 1. Matt Hagan; 2. Jordan Vandergriff; 3. Austin Prock; 4. J.R. Todd; 5. Bobby Bode; 6. Alexis DeJoria; 7. Chad Green; 8. Ron Capps; 9. Cruz Pedregon; 10. Dave Richards; 11. Spencer Hyde; 12. Daniel Wilkerson; 13. Jim Campbell; 14. Jack Wyatt; 15. Jack Beckman.<\/p>\n PRO STOCK:<\/p>\n 1. Greg Anderson; 2. Chris Vang; 3. Cody Anderson; 4. Greg Stanfield; 5. Matt Hartford; 6. Aaron Stanfield; 7. Troy Coughlin Jr.; 8. Jeg Coughlin; 9. Dallas Glenn; 10. Erica Enders; 11. Matt Latino; 12. Eric Latino; 13. Deric Kramer; 14. Kenny Delco; 15. Mason McGaha; 16. Jerry Tucker.<\/p>\n BRAINERD, Minn. \u2014 Sunday\u2019s final results from the 44th annual NHRA Brainerd Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway. The race is the 13th of 20 in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series:<\/p>\n Top Fuel \u2014 Doug Kalitta, 3.743 seconds, 333.74 mph def. Maddi Gordon, 3.770 seconds, 328.78 mph.<\/p>\n Funny Car \u2014 Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 3.946, 320.13 def. Jordan Vandergriff, Chevy Camaro, 4.038, 266.27.<\/p>\n Pro Stock \u2014 Greg Anderson, Chevy Camaro, 6.584, 208.17 def. Chris Vang, Camaro, 6.615, 207.34.<\/p>\n Top Alcohol Dragster \u2014 Anthony Troyer, 5.220, 276.63 def. Melanie Johnson, 5.250, 274.00.<\/p>\n Top Alcohol Funny Car \u2014 Shane Westerfield, Chevy Camaro, 5.523, 264.49 def. Christine Foster, Camaro, Broke \u2013 No Show.<\/p>\n Competition Eliminator \u2014 Cody Lane, Bantam, 7.348, 171.01 def. Bruce Schmiedl, Bantam, 7.351, 179.97.<\/p>\n Super Stock \u2014 Jack Beutler, Olds Cierra, 10.181, 128.90 def. Mike Graham, Ford Mustang, 10.340, 126.00.<\/p>\n Stock Eliminator \u2014 Jamey Picht, Pontiac Grand Sport, 11.140, 99.54 def. Dirk Olson, Chevy Nova, Foul \u2013 Red Light.<\/p>\n Super Comp \u2014 Jeff Chaney, Dragster, 8.947, 168.26 def. James Glenn, Dragster, 8.961, 166.81.<\/p>\n Super Gas \u2014 Greg Maaninga, Chevy Camaro, 9.917, 145.55 def. Dale Evens, Camaro, Foul \u2013 Red Light.<\/p>\n Super Street \u2014 Rich Hill, Chevy Camaro, 11.225, 105.43 def. Donnie Durenberger, Chevy Nova, Foul \u2013 Red Light.<\/p>\n Top Sportsman \u2014 Curt Fredrich, Chevy Camaro, 6.587, 209.79 def. Chris Roe, Ford Mustang, Foul \u2013 Red Light.<\/p>\n Top Dragster \u2014 Kendra Larson, Dragster, 6.929, 191.59 def. Bob Fischer, Dragster, 6.828, 194.97.<\/p>\n Outlaw Street \u2014 Scott Taylor, Camaro, 3.709, 202.82 def. Shawn Ellington, Nova, 3.717, 203.46.<\/p>\n Junior Dragster Shootout \u2014 Evan Songas, Halfscale, 8.038, 80.53 def. Bodie Carlson, 8.018, 80.94.<\/p>\n Outlaw Snowmobiles \u2014 Anthony Mini, HRC4, 4.195, 168.87 def. John Jacklitch, HRC III, 4.522, 154.92.<\/p>\n BRAINERD, Minn. \u2014 Final round-by-round results from the 44th annual NHRA Brainerd Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway, the 13th of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series:<\/p>\n TOP FUEL:<\/p>\n ROUND ONE \u2014 Tony Stewart, 3.726, 334.32 def. Josh Hart, 3.789, 330.47; Leah Pruett, 3.702, 341.08 def. Will Smith, 3.726, 330.47; Clay Millican, 3.796, 311.05 def. Billy Torrence, Foul \u2013 Red Light; Maddi Gordon, 3.752, 336.32 def. Scott Palmer, 4.363, 196.93; Doug Kalitta, 3.713, 336.23 def. Cameron Ferre, 4.092, 293.73; Shawn Langdon, 3.708, 335.57 def. Keith Murt, 3.953, 316.23; Justin Ashley, 3.750, 331.36 def. Shawn Reed, 4.927, 148.04; Antron Brown, 3.776, 330.63 def. Tony Schumacher, 4.714, 165.01;<\/p>\n QUARTERFINALS \u2014 Ashley, 3.793, 335.57 def. Millican, 6.390, 96.30; Gordon, 3.740, 330.72 def. Stewart, 3.751, 338.85; Kalitta, 3.742, 326.56 def. Brown, 3.796, 322.81; Pruett, 4.158, 194.49 def. Langdon, 4.247, 254.66;<\/p>\n SEMIFINALS \u2014 Kalitta, 3.747, 329.18 def. Ashley, 3.805, 327.74; Gordon, 3.770, 329.91 def. Pruett, 3.776, 325.14;<\/p>\n FINAL \u2014 Kalitta, 3.743, 333.74 def. Gordon, 3.770, 328.78.<\/p>\n FUNNY CAR:<\/p>\n ROUND ONE \u2014 Bobby Bode, Ford Mustang, 4.483, 206.99 def. Daniel Wilkerson, Mustang, 7.925, 101.02; J.R. Todd, Toyota GR Supra, 3.898, 333.66 def. Spencer Hyde, Mustang, 7.852, 77.86; Jordan Vandergriff, Chevy Camaro, 6.044, 110.47 was unopposed; Austin Prock, Mustang, 3.947, 327.27 def. Jack Wyatt, Dodge Charger, 12.032, 83.48; Matt Hagan, Charger, 3.897, 326.00 def. Jim Campbell, Mustang, 9.727, 112.27; Chad Green, Mustang, No Time Recorded def. Jack Beckman, Camaro, Foul \u2013 Centerline; Ron Capps, GR Supra, 3.934, 325.14 def. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 3.919, 319.98; Alexis DeJoria, Camaro, 3.927, 328.14 def. Dave Richards, Mustang, 5.358, 135.63;<\/p>\n QUARTERFINALS \u2014 Prock, No Time Recorded def. Capps, Foul \u2013 Centerline; Todd, 3.953, 330.63 def. Bode, 3.954, 318.77; Hagan, 3.944, 320.05 def. Green, 4.191, 275.00; Vandergriff, 3.956, 320.13 def. DeJoria, 3.956, 323.97;<\/p>\n SEMIFINALS \u2014 Vandergriff, 3.977, 314.46 def. Todd, 5.800, 161.30; Hagan, 3.942, 319.37 def. Prock, 4.764, 237.84;<\/p>\n FINAL \u2014 Hagan, 3.946, 320.13 def. Vandergriff, 4.038, 266.27.<\/p>\n PRO STOCK:<\/p>\n ROUND ONE \u2014 Chris Vang, Chevy Camaro, 6.561, 207.02 def. Matt Latino, Camaro, 6.572, 207.30; Troy Coughlin Jr., Camaro, 6.600, 207.43 def. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 6.593, 207.62; Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.558, 207.56 def. Jerry Tucker, Camaro, 6.622, 208.26; Cody Anderson, Camaro, 6.540, 207.11 def. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.564, 209.30; Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.551, 208.81 def. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.576, 207.02; Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.572, 208.94 def. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.555, 208.39; Greg<\/p>\n Anderson, Camaro, 6.546, 207.72 def. Mason McGaha, Camaro, 6.596, 208.62; Greg Stanfield, Camaro, 6.554, 208.07 def. Eric Latino, Camaro, 6.572, 209.20;<\/p>\n QUARTERFINALS \u2014 Vang, 6.577, 206.89 def. Coughlin, 7.186, 203.46; G. Stanfield, 6.587, 207.50 def. A. Stanfield, 6.594, 207.15; G. Anderson, 6.572, 207.69 def. Coughlin Jr., 6.844, 166.05; C. Anderson, 6.561, 206.89 def. Hartford, 6.557, 209.07;<\/p>\n SEMIFINALS \u2014 G. Anderson, 6.608, 208.46 def. G. Stanfield, 14.159, 60.58; Vang, 6.581, 207.15 def. C. Anderson, 6.594, 207.37;<\/p>\n FINAL \u2014 G. Anderson, 6.584, 208.17 def. Vang, 6.615, 207.34.<\/p>\n BRAINERD, Minn. \u2014 Point standings (top 10) following the 44th annual NHRA Brainerd Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway, the 13th of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series \u2013<\/p>\n Top Fuel<\/p>\n 1. Doug Kalitta, 1,232; 2. Shawn Langdon, 1,165; 3. Leah Pruett, 974; 4. Antron Brown, 808; 5. Maddi Gordon, 784; 6. Tony Stewart, 753; 7. Josh Hart, 705; 8. Billy Torrence, 655; 9. Justin Ashley, 609; 10. Clay Millican, 540.<\/p>\n Funny Car<\/p>\n 1. Matt Hagan, 938; 2. Jordan Vandergriff, 931; 3. Ron Capps, 926; 4. J.R. Todd, 916; 5. Jack Beckman, 864; 6. Austin Prock, 771; 7. Chad Green, 755; 8. Alexis DeJoria, 737; 9. Daniel Wilkerson, 615; 10. Spencer Hyde, 610.<\/p>\n Pro Stock<\/p>\n 1. Greg Anderson, 1,140; 2. Dallas Glenn, 1,055; 3. Greg Stanfield, 942; 4. Matt Hartford, 861; 5. Aaron Stanfield, 735; 6. Erica Enders, 727; 7. Matt Latino, 716; 8. Jeg Coughlin, 649; 9. Troy Coughlin Jr., 596; 10. Cody Anderson, 566.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/files.constantcontact.com\/1c71db19601\/e08e9890-2305-4124-82c6-2a621237e21e.jpg?w=560&ssl=1\") <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n| <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n <\/span><\/p>\nThe post NHRA Results: 2026 Brainerd Eliminations & Points<\/a> appeared first on Drag Racing List<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\u00a0 HAGAN, KALITTA AND ANDERSON BATTLE THEIR WAY TO WINS AT NHRA BRAINERD NATIONALS \u2013 Hagan moves into FC points lead with win \u2013 Kalitta caps off perfect weekend with TF victory \u2013 Anderson goes back-to-back in Brainerd BRAINERD, Minn. (Aug. 23, 2026) \u2013 Four-time Funny Car world champion Matt Hagan moved into the points […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-104617","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/racepages.com\/Videos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/104617","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/racepages.com\/Videos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/racepages.com\/Videos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racepages.com\/Videos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racepages.com\/Videos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=104617"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/racepages.com\/Videos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/104617\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/racepages.com\/Videos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=104617"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racepages.com\/Videos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=104617"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racepages.com\/Videos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=104617"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}} | | | |
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