March 23, 2026 | By NHRA

CAPPS, LANGDON, GLENN WIN NHRA ARIZONA NATIONALS

Photo by NHRA photo

CHANDLER, Ariz.—Three-time Funny Car world champion Ron Capps recovered from a massive engine explosion in the second round at Firebird Motorsports Park, defeating Spencer Hyde in the final round to earn his 78th career win on Sunday at the 41st annual FMP NHRA Arizona Nationals presented by NGK Spark Plugs.

Shawn Langdon (Top Fuel) and Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock) also won the second of 20 races during the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.

In the final round, Capps went 4.124-seconds at 303.24 mph in his 12,000-horsepower NAPA Auto Parts Toyota GR Supra, holding off Hyde to pick up his first victory of the season and fourth overall in Phoenix.

This was an emotional one for the veteran after he suffered a huge engine explosion at the finish line in his second-round win against Daniel Wilkerson. Capps and the team bounced back in impressive fashion to knock off defending event winner Paul Lee with a strong run and advance to the final round.

He left first on Hyde and pulled away at the finish line, picking up one of the more memorable wins in Capps’ stellar career. A year ago, Capps also had a huge explosion and crash in Phoenix, but those two incidents are now a distant memory after Sunday’s incredible finish.

“We knew this was going to be a battle of attrition and dropped cylinders today,” Capps said. “A couple of those runs, there was no way I would imagine that would have got us lane choice, but it did. It was like a bracket car. This win reminded me a lot of first my win in St. Louis [1997] because it was hot and we had 150-degree track temps there and we dropped cylinders all day but still won the race.

“We burned a lot of stuff up. At that time it happened, we weren't sure the win light was going to be worth it, but it wouldn't have been worth it had it been a runner up. I have to thank Paul Lee and his team for waiting for us. We went to warm it up [in the pits], and it wouldn't even fire, so we literally went up there not knowing was going to start. To get that win in the semis and have a blast down the road when it did was pretty cool.”

Hyde, NHRA’s reigning Rookie of the Year and the No. 1 qualifier in Phoenix, reached his third career final round after taking down Blake Alexander, J.R. Todd and Matt Hagan. Gainesville winner Chad Green is the points leader after two races.

Top Fuel’s Shawn Langdon stayed red-hot at Firebird Motorsports Park, winning for the third straight year in Phoenix and knocking off Leah Pruett in the final round with a run of 3.877 at 325.45 in his 12,000-horsepower Kalitta Air dragster. He’s now undefeated in his last 12 rounds at the fan-favorite facility and has found success in a variety of conditions over the years.

On Sunday and all weekend, he did it in extreme heat, as Langdon qualified No. 1 and was remarkably consistent in eliminations, making three runs in the 3.80s. He took down Tony Schumacher and then rookie sensation Maddi Gordon in the semifinals, setting up a marquee matchup with Pruett.

Langdon posted an .079 reaction time and delivered another impressive run, winning for the 23rd time in his career a day after getting his 23rd No. 1 qualifier. It gives the past world champion his first win of the year and plenty of early-season momentum as Langdon looks to stay near or at the top all season long.

“At the beginning of the year, we made some really good runs in testing under some really good conditions. One of the prime focuses for this year on is making good runs when it gets hot out, and being able to have a car that you can gain the small bonus points,” Langdon said. “So that's been a big focus for the team and Brian [Husen, crew chief], and being able to come out here on some of the hottest conditions that we've really ever seen, for him to make the adjustments and the team to make the adjustments, that feels really good.

“That's the cool thing about being a part of this team: even though you win a race, they're still looking at the finer details. Brian leads the way and he demands perfection, and the car's not perfect. We're going to make it perfect.”

In just her second race since returning to the sport, Pruett reached her 26th career final round with victories against Cam Ferre, Josh Hart and reigning world champion Doug Kalitta, who leaves Phoenix with the points lead.

In Pro Stock, Dallas Glenn more than got redemption for last year’s final round in Phoenix, finishing off a magnificent weekend with a run of 6.627 at 206.39 in his RAD Torque Systems Chevrolet Camaro to hold off Cody Coughlin in the final round. It gives Glenn a clean sweep of the weekend after winning the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge on Saturday and also gives the reigning world champion his first victory of the season.

Last year, Glenn went red in a wild final round against KB Titan Racing teammate Greg Anderson, but there were no issues this time on Sunday. Glenn went .027 on the starting line and led wire-to-wire against Coughlin, collecting his first career win at Firebird Motorsports Park. Glenn, who qualified third, defeated Stephen Bell, Matt Latino and Greg Stanfield to reach the final round.

Glenn, who also took over the points lead, was quickest in each of the final three rounds, rolling to his 22nd career victory and getting his first diamond Wally during NHRA’s 75th anniversary season. He’s already reached 41 final rounds in his young career and even after winning a world title in 2025, Glenn has big plans for this season.

“It feels really good. Last year’s final was very ugly, and it was all caused by a mistake on my part and then a malfunction on Greg's part. So to come here and do a much better job for the fans feels really great,” Glenn said.

“When we were driving here, I know I definitely screwed up last year and I really want to win Phoenix. I've never won here before and I really want to get one of those cool 75th anniversary trophies, so this takes the pressure off for the rest of the season. I definitely feel like I have a lot less pressure on me this year. I feel more relaxed on race day. I'm kind of just going with the flow and definitely not putting as much pressure on myself. I know what I can do, and I just trying to go out there and have fun and click some rounds off.”

Coughlin, who qualified No. 1 in Gainesville, reached his second career final round after defeating Eric Latino, Chris McGaha and Jeg Coughlin Jr.

The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series returns to action April 9-12 with the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip.


ROUND-BY-ROUND RESULTS

CHANDLER, Ariz. -- Final round-by-round results from the FMP NHRA Arizona Nationals presented by NGK Spark Plugs at Firebird Motorsports Park, the second of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series:


TOP FUEL:

ROUND ONE -- Tony Stewart, 3.823, 329.99 def. Shawn Reed, 3.932, 316.38; Maddi Gordon, 3.852, 324.98 def. Jaren Mott, 3.962, 281.07; Leah Pruett, 3.827, 327.74 def. Cameron Ferre, 4.670, 178.47; Shawn Langdon, 3.832, 331.04 was unopposed; Doug Kalitta, 3.791, 331.94 def. Will Smith, 3.852, 320.97; Billy Torrence, 3.844, 329.10 def. Antron Brown, 4.109, 250.13; Josh Hart, 4.000, 280.02 def. Justin Ashley, 4.115, 269.03; Tony Schumacher, 4.329, 239.82 def. Clay Millican, 4.595, 170.13;

QUARTERFINALS -- Langdon, 3.859, 329.02 def. Schumacher, 3.987, 282.24; Pruett, 3.887, 319.52 def. Hart, 4.081, 275.62; Gordon, 3.851, 324.83 def. Stewart, 3.950, 311.13; Kalitta, 3.874, 327.59 def. Torrence, 3.953, 321.96;

SEMIFINALS -- Pruett, 3.887, 316.52 def. Kalitta, 3.926, 314.75; Langdon, 3.979, 297.68 def. Gordon, 4.396, 187.31;

FINAL -- Langdon, 3.877, 325.45 def. Pruett, 3.930, 317.57.


FUNNY CAR:

ROUND ONE -- Spencer Hyde, Ford Mustang, 4.014, 315.64 def. Blake Alexander, Dodge Charger, 4.583, 198.70; Daniel Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.001, 322.04 def. Jack Beckman, Chevy Camaro, 4.021, 273.88; Chad Green, Mustang, 4.011, 320.97 def. Dylan Winefsky, Charger, 5.369, 138.73; Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.031, 322.34 def. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 4.100, 299.53; Jordan Vandergriff, Camaro, 3.984, 318.62 def. Alexis DeJoria, Camaro, Foul - Red Light; Paul Lee, Charger, 4.054, 318.17 def. Dave Richards, Mustang, 4.548, 206.83; Ron Capps, Toyota GR Supra, 3.980, 323.19 def. Jason Rupert, Mustang, 4.672, 186.05; J.R. Todd, GR Supra, 4.043, 321.19 def. Austin Prock, Mustang, 4.307, 261.88;

QUARTERFINALS -- Lee, 4.252, 286.32 def. Green, 7.845, 90.76; Hagan, 4.621, 189.71 def. Vandergriff, 4.650, 181.86; Capps, 4.144, 274.39 def. Wilkerson, 4.157, 307.30; Hyde, 4.145, 301.27 def. Todd, 4.160, 297.88;

SEMIFINALS -- Hyde, 4.185, 292.65 def. Hagan, 4.211, 286.92; Capps, 4.124, 303.09 def. Lee, 4.240, 271.30;

FINAL -- Capps, 4.124, 303.23 def. Hyde, 4.326, 259.76.


PRO STOCK:

ROUND ONE -- Cody Coughlin, Chevy Camaro, 6.621, 207.05 def. Eric Latino, Camaro, 6.611, 208.59; Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.620, 206.73 def. Chris Vang, Camaro, Broke; Matt Latino, Camaro, 6.625, 208.55 def. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.612, 205.98; Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.606, 206.95 def. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.609, 207.98; Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.593, 207.02 def. Cody Anderson, Camaro, Foul - Red Light; Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.587, 207.43 def. Stephen Bell, Camaro, 6.631, 207.34; Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.625, 209.39 def. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.577, 207.24; Greg Stanfield, Camaro, 6.585, 206.80 def. Troy Coughlin Jr., Camaro, 6.595, 206.80;

QUARTERFINALS -- C. Coughlin, 6.646, 207.11 def. C. McGaha, 7.779, 143.64; J. Coughlin, 7.962, 183.54 def. Enders, 12.697, 69.50; Glenn, 6.610, 207.59 def. M. Latino, 6.645, 208.39; G. Stanfield, 6.633, 206.54 def. A. Stanfield, 6.642, 207.34;

SEMIFINALS -- C. Coughlin, 6.697, 206.10 def. J. Coughlin, 6.728, 206.99; Glenn, 6.646, 205.91 def. G. Stanfield, 6.685, 206.73;

FINAL -- Glenn, 6.627, 206.39 def. C. Coughlin, 6.674, 207.30.


LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES FINAL ROUND RESULTS

Super Stock -- Tim Seymour, Chevy Camaro, 9.208, 145.20 def. Evan Kowalski, Chevy Cobalt, 9.229, 136.22.

Stock Eliminator -- Justin Lamb, Chevy Camaro, 9.512, 139.80 def. Leo Glasbrenner, Camaro, Foul - Red Light.

Super Comp -- Doug Johnson, Dragster, 8.888, 176.63 def. Tanner Theobald, Dragster, 8.880, 173.38.

Super Gas -- Val Torres Jr., Chevy Camaro, 16.241, 62.66 def. Chris Gabbard, Plymouth Duster, Foul - Red Light.

Top Sportsman -- Rob Mendenhall, chevy Camaro, 6.969, 196.73 def. Will Yakimetz, Camaro, 6.864, 172.28.

Top Dragster -- Cooper Chun, Dragster, 7.741, 152.21 def. Dylan Hough, Dragster, Foul - Red Light.

Legacy Nitro Funny Car -- Nathan Sitko, Pontiac Firebird, 4.799, 236.71 def. Ryan Horan, Chevy Camaro, Broke.


CURRENT STANDINGS

CHANDLER, Ariz. -- Point standings (top 10) following the FMP NHRA Arizona Nationals presented by NGK Spark Plugs at Firebird Motorsports Park, the second of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series -


Top Fuel

1. Doug Kalitta, 176; 2. Josh Hart, 174; 3. Shawn Langdon, 170; 4. Leah Pruett, 158; 5. Maddi Gordon, 152; 6. Tony Stewart, 108; 7. Antron Brown, 107; 8. Tony Schumacher, 101; 9. Billy Torrence, 78; 10. (tie) Justin Ashley, 65 and Shawn Reed, 65.


Funny Car

1. Chad Green, 174; 2. Spencer Hyde, 156; 3. Ron Capps, 151; 4. J.R. Todd, 140; 5. Matt Hagan, 135; 6. Alexis DeJoria, 126; 7. Jordan Vandergriff, 125; 8. Paul Lee, 111; 9. Daniel Wilkerson, 107; 10. Jack Beckman, 64.


Pro Stock

1. Dallas Glenn, 195; 2. Matt Hartford, 160; 3. Cody Coughlin, 158; 4. Greg Anderson, 142; 5. Erica Enders, 128; 6. Greg Stanfield, 118; 7. Matt Latino, 109; 8. Jeg Coughlin, 107; 9. Aaron Stanfield, 106; 10. Cody Anderson, 83.


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JUSTIN BOND WINS IN PHOENIX IN JBS EQUIPMENT NHRA PRO MOD SERIES AT RACE POWERED BY LAT RACING OILS

CHANDLER, Ariz. -- Justin Bond outlasted an impressive field in the JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Elite Motorsports on Sunday at Firebird Motorsports Park, defeating Stevie “Fast” Jackson in the final round as part of this weekend’s FMP NHRA Arizona Nationals presented by NGK Spark Plugs.

The event was the second of 11 races in the series and was powered by LAT Racing Oils.

In the final round, Bond won when Jackson went red, but he also put together a standout run in the championship round, going 5.736-seconds at 251.81 mph, which was his best performance on raceday. To reach the final round, Bond defeated Nick Januik, Stan Shelton and Gainesville winner Derek Menholt.

It gives Bond his first victory of the year and seventh in his year, finishing off a strong weekend that started with the veteran qualifying second.

“It’s just been a major marathon to be here,” Bond said. “I don’t deserve it, but I’m sure happy we did it. This one is for my guys. I’ve got so many people to thank and this is a big one for us. I just had a really awesome car, and it's the guys.  We weren't always the low of the round this particular event, but we were just racing smart and racing our opponent, racing the racetrack.

“In the final, we tuned it up pretty good, and didn't actually need it. My staging plan worked. I never go in first, and this time I went in first, tried to rush him and he was rushed.”

Jackson, a two-time NHRA world champion, reached the final round for the 23rd time in his career after round wins against reigning world champ J.R. Gray, defending event winner Mike Stavrinos and No. 1 qualifier Lyle Barnett.

Menholt remains in the points lead after two races.

The JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Elite Motorsports returns to action April 24-26 at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte as part of the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals.


ROUND-BY-ROUND RESULTS

CHANDLER, Ariz. -- Final round-by-round results from the FMP NHRA Arizona Nationals presented by NGK Spark Plugs at Firebird Motorsports Park, the race is the second of 11 events in the JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Elite Motorsports.


PRO MODIFIED:

ROUND ONE -- Justin Bond, Chevy Camaro, 5.748, 249.76 def. Nick Januik, Chevy Corvette, 5.898, 242.80; Mike Castellana, Camaro, 5.784, 248.29 def. Mike Thielen, Camaro, 5.842, 238.22; Derek Menholt, Camaro, 5.747, 252.43 def. Adriano Kayayan, Corvette, 6.042, 192.69; Mike Stavrinos, Camaro, 5.790, 249.90 def. Mason Wright, Camaro, Foul - Red Light; Lyle Barnett, Camaro, 5.702, 252.76 def. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.062, 236.13; Stan Shelton, Ford Mustang, 5.798, 251.25 def. Chip King, Dodge Charger, 10.047, 84.83; Steve Jackson, Camaro, 5.717, 250.92 def. JR Gray, Camaro, 5.742, 252.33; Billy Banaka, Camaro, 5.762, 252.71 def. Kevin Rivenbark, Mustang, 8.497, 117.85;

QUARTERFINALS -- Bond, 5.766, 247.25 def. Shelton, 5.907, 246.62; Barnett, 5.752, 251.95 def. Banaka, 5.817, 251.11; Jackson, 5.744, 250.55 def. Stavrinos, 5.803, 248.93; Menholt, 5.858, 248.84 def. Castellana, 9.909, 88.95;

SEMIFINALS -- Bond, 5.793, 248.48 def. Menholt, 5.865, 247.16; Jackson, 5.766, 250.83 def. Barnett, 5.788, 250.13;

FINAL -- Bond, 5.736, 251.81 def. Jackson, Foul - Red Light.


CURRENT STANDINGS

CHANDLER, Ariz. -- Point standings (top 10) following the FMP NHRA Arizona Nationals presented by NGK Spark Plugs at Firebird Motorsports Park, the race is the second of 11 events in the JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Elite Motorsports.


Pro Modified

1. Derek Menholt, 186; 2. Justin Bond, 155; 3. Billy Banaka, 148; 4. Steve Jackson, 129; 5. Mike Castellana, 125; 6. JR Gray, 109; 7. Mike Stavrinos, 92; 8. Sidnei Frigo, 89; 9. (tie) Chip King, 84; Stan Shelton, 84.

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