Hyde, Millican, Glenn & Herrera Qualify No. 1 in front of Sellout Crowd at NHRA Reading Nationals

READING, PA – September 14, 2025 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – Funny Car rookie Spencer Hyde scored his first career No. 1 qualifier on Saturday, securing the top spot in front of a sellout crowd at Maple Grove Raceway during the 40th annual NHRA Reading Nationals presented by Nitro Fish.

Clay Millican (Top Fuel), Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also qualified No. 1 at the 15th of 20 races during the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season. It is also the first of six races in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs. The sellout crowd was NHRA’s fifth of the season.

Hyde added another impressive notch in his debut season in the nitro ranks, clinching his first career No. 1 qualifier in front of a sellout crowd thanks to Friday’s stout run of 3.868-seconds at 330.07 mph in his 12,000-horsepower Head Contractors & Engineers Ford Mustang.

The next item on the to-do list is his first career victory and Hyde will get another opportunity on Sunday, opening eliminations against Phil Burkart. He’s been to a pair of final rounds in 2025, but a victory to open the Countdown to the Championship would make for a massive moment for Hyde.

“We’ve been waiting 15 races to do this, so it’s good,” Hyde said. “It’s good for me, it’s good for my guys and it gives them some confidence and motivation to hopefully go out and win this thing tomorrow. This is definitely a good start (to the Countdown) and it’s a good time to get hot. We’re hungry and we’re here to race.”

Points leader and reigning world champion Austin Prock qualified second with a run of 3.882 at 333.74. Paul Lee posted the best run in the class in both sessions on Saturday, including a 3.893 at 328.22 that puts him third.

In Top Fuel, Clay Millican raced to his first No. 1 qualifier of the season, as Friday’s run of 3.704 at 336.32 in his 12,000-horsepower PowerEdge dragster for Rick Ware Racing held up during Saturday’s two sessions. It’s the 27th career top qualifier for Millican, who overcame a big explosion in the third run of qualifying to end Saturday with a solid run of 3.796 at 330.15 in front of a capacity crowd.

That, along with Friday’s performance, sets up Millican nicely for Sunday, as he looks to win at Maple Grove Raceway for the first time in his career. Millican is also after his second win this season, knowing it could jump-start a championship hunt.

“I certainly wasn’t pleased with Q3. That was a big boomer and I hadn’t had one that big in a long, long time,” Millican said. “But the boys and girls who make this thing go did a great job getting us right back up there for Q4, and we ended up second-quick. To come back and make that kind of run in the heat was pretty dang impressive.

“The Q3 run, we don’t know exactly what happened. We didn’t have time to diagnose it, but that engine will go on the stand tonight. We’ll find out, and make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Justin Ashley, who won the most recent race in Indy, qualified second with a 3.738 at 331.69, while Doug Kalitta took third after going 3.756 at 335.40 on Friday. Kalitta will open eliminations with a marquee matchup against reigning world champion Antron Brown. Points leader Tony Stewart qualified 11th and starts raceday against eight-time world champion Tony Schumacher.

Dallas Glenn earned his fifth No. 1 qualifier of the season in Pro Stock, as the points leader’s 6.502 at 210.50 from Friday in his RAD Torque Systems Chevrolet Camaro stayed on top. The good news for Glenn, who picked up his 11th career top spot, is that he also made a strong run in Saturday’s warmer conditions, putting Glenn in a good position to open the playoffs with a victory.

He’s never won in Pro Stock at Maple Grove Raceway, but Glenn will open eliminations on top, taking on Shane Tucker in the opening round.

“We have a really good car and were able to make a decent run this morning and get a bonus point, so heading into that final session, I felt like we had a shot at getting two or three more bonus points,” Glenn said. “Unfortunately, we had a little oops and were shut off and missed out on those points, but being the No. 1 qualifier does help.

“We’re going to look and see if we can try to get four win lights tomorrow. The car is fantastic, it looks nice and I’m ready for tomorrow. We have a lot of brain power in the KB Titan crew chief room right now and I’m pretty sure they’re confident they know what to do.”

Aaron Stanfield took second with a 6.505 at 211.59, while U.S. Nationals winner Erica Enders qualified third after Friday’s run of 6.506 at 211.36. Reigning world champion Greg Anderson moved up to fourth with a 6.515 at 208.97, making the quickest run in each of Saturday’s two sessions.

Pro Stock Motorcycle’s Gaige Herrera wasn’t challenged for the No. 1 spot on Saturday, as the points leader picked up his fifth No. 1 qualifier this season thanks to Friday’s 6.745 at 200.20 on his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki.

The good news is Herrera made two more strong runs in front of a capacity crowd on Sunday, putting the back-to-back world champion in an ideal spot to win for the first time at Maple Grove Raceway in his storied career.

“The track has been very consistent today in the heat and that gives us good data going into tomorrow,” Herrera said. “I’m happy to get the win for Vance & Hines and all the guys back at the shop. I feel like tomorrow we’re going to have a very strong field. Between me and Richard, I’m glad we’re on opposite sides. I definitely don’t want to race him early.

“This crowd really loves the bikes. I’ve got friends here who had never seen Nitro cars before today, and now they want to come to more NHRA races. It feels like home — like we brought our bike crowd into the NHRA world.”

Matt Smith grabbed the second spot with Friday’s 6.753 at 200.95 and Gadson stayed third with his 6.763 at 200.92.

Eliminations for the NHRA Reading Nationals presented by Nitro Fish begin at 11 a.m. ET on Sunday at Maple Grove Raceway.

MOHNTON, PA — Sunday’s first-round pairings for eliminations for the 40th annual NHRA Reading Nationals presented by Nitro Fish at Maple Grove Raceway, the 15th of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday. DNQs listed below pairings.

Top Fuel — 1. Clay Millican, 3.704 seconds, 336.32 mph vs. Bye; 2. Justin Ashley, 3.738, 331.69 vs. 15. Scott Farley, 4.136, 233.76; 3. Doug Kalitta, 3.756, 335.40 vs. 14. Antron Brown, 3.930, 317.05; 4. Shawn Reed, 3.758, 329.26 vs. 13. Kyle Satenstein, 3.917, 281.25; 5. Shawn Langdon, 3.762, 333.49 vs. 12. Doug Foley, 3.825, 300.33; 6. Tony Schumacher, 3.776, 334.24 vs. 11. Tony Stewart, 3.817, 329.10; 7. Steve Torrence, 3.778, 332.51 vs. 10. Josh Hart, 3.811, 332.26; 8. Brittany Force, 3.794, 334.57 vs. 9. Dan Mercier, 3.796, 326.32.

Funny Car — 1. Spencer Hyde, Ford Mustang, 3.868, 330.07 vs. 16. Phil Burkart, Mustang, 4.074, 309.63; 2. Austin Prock, Chevy Camaro, 3.882, 333.74 vs. 15. Joe Morrison, Dodge Charger, 4.065, 310.41; 3. Paul Lee, Charger, 3.893, 328.22 vs. 14. Chad Green, Mustang, 4.034, 312.93; 4. Jack Beckman, Camaro, 3.901, 330.72 vs. 13. Dave Richards, Mustang, 4.018, 316.67; 5. J.R. Todd, Toyota GR Supra, 3.911, 334.24 vs. 12. Ron Capps, GR Supra, 3.949, 330.07; 6. Daniel Wilkerson, Mustang, 3.912, 329.34 vs. 11. Alexis DeJoria, Charger, 3.948, 329.26; 7. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 3.912, 324.28 vs. 10. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 3.945, 327.82; 8. Blake Alexander, Charger, 3.924, 328.38 vs. 9. Matt Hagan, Charger, 3.932, 330.80.

Did Not Qualify: 17. Alex Laughlin, 4.099, 314.24; 18. Terry Haddock, 4.138, 300.73.

Pro Stock — 1. Dallas Glenn, Chevy Camaro, 6.502, 210.83 vs. 16. Shane Tucker, Camaro, 6.623, 207.50; 2. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.505, 211.59 vs. 15. Brandon Miller, Dodge Dart, 6.613, 207.18; 3. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.506, 211.36 vs. 14. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 6.585, 208.68; 4. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.515, 210.44 vs. 13. Greg Stanfield, Camaro, 6.550, 209.88; 5. Cory Reed, Camaro, 6.519, 210.11 vs. 12. Matt Latino, Camaro, 6.546, 209.98; 6. Cody Coughlin, Camaro, 6.520, 209.92 vs. 11. Troy Coughlin Jr., Camaro, 6.543, 210.41; 7. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.526, 210.54 vs. 10. Eric Latino, Camaro, 6.536, 210.28; 8. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.532, 210.37 vs. 9. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.532, 209.39.

Did Not Qualify: 17. Alan Prusiensky, 6.733, 203.43.

Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.745, 200.20 vs. Bye; 2. Matt Smith, Buell, 6.753, 200.98 vs. 15. Brandon Litten, Suzuki, 6.918, 195.51; 3. Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.763, 201.46 vs. 14. Ryan Oehler, EBR, 6.870, 195.76; 4. Brayden Davis, Suzuki, 6.780, 201.49 vs. 13. Marc Ingwersen, EBR, 6.870, 194.80; 5. Angie Smith, Buell, 6.801, 199.67 vs. 12. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.853, 194.10; 6. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.807, 197.57 vs. 11. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 6.848, 198.09; 7. Jianna Evaristo, Buell, 6.816, 199.20 vs. 10. Ron Tornow, Victory, 6.843, 198.58; 8. John Hall, Beull, 6.829, 199.17 vs. 9. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 6.841, 198.35.

About Mission Foods

MISSION®, owned by GRUMA, S.A.B. de C.V., is the world’s leading brand for tortillas and wraps. MISSION® is also globally renowned for flatbreads, dips, salsas and Mexican food products. With presence in over 112 countries, MISSION® products are suited to the lifestyles and the local tastes of each country. With innovation and customer needs in mind, MISSION® focuses on the highest quality, authentic flavors, and providing healthy options that families and friends can enjoy together. For more information, please visit https://www.missionfoods.com/

About NHRA

NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 20 national events featuring the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series, NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™, NHRA Holley EFI Factory X and Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage NHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock at select national events. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal™. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street® program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League® for youth ages 5 to 17. With more than 100 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services® (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv®, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Source: National Hot Rod Association 

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