Dallas Glenn Tops Pro Stock as Seattle Qualifying Tightens

Josh Hart claimed the No. 1 qualifying spot in Top Fuel at the Muckleshoot Casino Resort NHRA Northwest Nationals, capping the final qualifying session with a career-best 3.685 seconds at 335.40 mph in his Speedmaster dragster. It was the second top qualifying berth of Hart’s NHRA career and his first major breakthrough with the new car. J.R. Todd led Funny Car qualifying, Dallas Glenn topped Pro Stock, and Sunday’s final eliminations were set to decide champions in all three pro categories as the event closed the two-race Western Swing.

Hart also received a first-round bye, but the Top Fuel opening round produced quick runs and a few changes in the championship chase. Doug Kalitta ran 3.669 to beat Shawn Reed, helping keep him in position to close the gap on the points lead, while Shawn Langdon, the points leader, fell to Justin Ashley after a blower belt issue. Antron Brown defeated Tony Schumacher, Jasmine Salinas advanced past Clay Millican, Leah Pruett beat Will Smith in a pedalfest, and Tony Stewart edged rookie Maddi Gordon 3.70 to 3.72. Hart’s bye run of 3.670 was the low elapsed time of the round.

The weekend also carried emotional weight for Reed, who returned to Pacific Raceways one year after a qualifying crash that cost him his left index finger and left him with other injuries. Reed said the comeback was emotional because friends and employees were nearby, and he had posted a provisional No. 2 qualifying run on Friday. In Pro Stock, Dallas Glenn led the field with a 6.541 in his RAD Torque Systems Camaro, while Greg Stanfield was second and Matt Latino third. Erica Enders was left outside the field after a water leak shut her off on the starting line, and Joey Grose was transported to a local medical facility after his car crossed the centerline, hit the left guard wall and flipped onto its roof in the final Pro Stock qualifying session.