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NHRA U.S. Nationals 62 Delivers Drag Racing History at Indy

Pete Ward . September 01, 2026 . Drag Racer
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NHRA Uncorked a Beauty for U.S. Nationlas #62

THIS NEW CENTURY HAS UNLEASHED A TSUNAMI OF CHANGES UPON THE WORLD, AND DRAG RACING IS NOT IMMUNE TO THE TURMOIL. BUT THERE ARE SOME CONSTANTS, AND THE NHRA U.S. Nationals is a prime example. It remains, hands-down, the most important drag race of the year. Once again, the pits were clogged with enthusiastic competitors. And, yes, there is new blood pumping through the system. More than half of Eliminator champs hoisted Wallys for the first time.

NHRA U.S. Nationals 62 Delivers Drag Racing History at Indy
A very prompt leave netted “The Sarge” his unpresented 10th Indy T/F crown. Steve Torrence’s better performance, 3.803/ 325.06, went for naught, falling to a 3.806/ 317.64.
NHRA U.S. Nationals 62 Delivers Drag Racing History at Indy
Number-one qualifier Matt Hagan also relied upon superior reflexes to win his first Indy F/C title. The DSR charger’s 3.964/327.43 lap eclipsed Del Worsham’s quicker 3.958/324.20.

There was one major change to this year’s race, and a significant one at that—it didn’t rain.

So, competitors and fans alike, make plans for Indy 63. We don’t need a crystal ball to know it’s gonna be a barn burner. And think positively; don’t pack an umbrella.

(Please note: All winners are in near lane except P/S Bike, which is in the far lane.)

The NHRA U.S. Nationals … remains, hands down, the most important drag race of the year. … competitors and fans alike, make plans for Indy 63. We don’t need a crystal ball to know that it’s gonna be a barn burner.

NHRA U.S. Nationals 62 Delivers Drag Racing History at Indy
Troy Coughlin most likely kicked himself all the way back to Jeg’s Headquarters. Qualifying #1 in Pro Mod with a 5.77 blast, he looked unbeatable. In the final he red-bulbed, then watched as Von Smith stumbled out of the gate, got out of shape and coasted through for the win.
NHRA U.S. Nationals 62 Delivers Drag Racing History at Indy
In Bike, it was Andrew Hines once again, as Hector Arana Jr. pulled the trigger a bit too quickly.
NHRA U.S. Nationals 62 Delivers Drag Racing History at Indy
Even with a .001 leave, three-time Indy Comp Elim. winner Jason Coan couldn’t score four. His G/EA fell to Kevin Self’s F/EA, which recorded a 7.79 (8.29 index) to 8.22 (8.61 index) for his first Indy victory.
NHRA U.S. Nationals 62 Delivers Drag Racing History at Indy
In a battle of #1 and #2 qualifiers, Swede Jonnie Lindberg reeled off a 5.67/263.00 to defeat a tire-smoking Annie Whiteley for the TAD win.
Another first-time Indy winner, Dan Page, in his A/FD defeated Shawn Cowie’s TA/D 5.35/270.32 to 5.36/270.27 for the Alcohol Dragster Wally.
NHRA U.S. Nationals 62 Delivers Drag Racing History at Indy
S/S “bubble boy” Ryan Haag (last in the 124-car field) wheeled his first-gen Camaro SS/FA to his first Indy Super Stock win by defeating Sean Cour’s GT/AA 9.82 (dial-in 9.81) to 9.497 (9.49 dial-in).
The Super Comp Wally went to Gary Stinnett, his second Indy win, when opponent Greg Kaplain red-lighted.
Jeff Lopez, yet another Indy win newbie, captured Stock Elim. In a battle of late-model muscle, his FS/C Camaro defeated Charlie Downing’s FS/G Mustang 9.39 (9.36 dial-in) to 10.38 (10.34 dial-in).
In the Mopar Hemi Challenge, Jimmy Daniels’ Dart recorded an 8.44 in defeating the red-lighting ’Cuda of Stephen Herbert. It was Herbert’s second final round Challenge appearance and the second win for the Dart. Jimmy’s dad won in 2012.
In a classic Ford vs. Chevy confrontation for the Sam Tech Factory Stock Showdown title, Chris Holbrook piloted his Mustang Cobra Jet to the win over the COPO Camaro of Steven Bell. During elims, Holbrook unleashed an 8.23, NHRA’s quickest Stock pass.
NHRA U.S. Nationals 62 Delivers Drag Racing History at Indy
Tony Schumacher got two delicious helpings of cash. In addition to the T/F victory, he defeated Leah Pritchett 3.71/328.86 to 3.73/317.05 in the Traxxas T/F Nitro Shootout.
In a “Force family squabble” Courtney Force snatched Traxxas F/C Nitro Shootout bucks from Robert Hight. Both experienced tire-blazing runs, but Courtney maintained better control for the win.

 

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