Prock Dominates Early in Funny Car

Austin Prock, the defending Funny Car champion, showed why he’s one of the best in the business. In the second qualifying session, he piloted his John Force Racing Chevy Camaro to a quick 3.860-second run at 331.69 mph — enough to put him in the provisional No. 1 position.

It was a strong moment for Prock, who continues to show growth and leadership behind the wheel. This could become his second No. 1 qualifier of the year and the 20th in his career.

“This car has been a challenge to settle down, but my team really nailed it,” Prock shared after the run. “I just want to drive the wheels off this car every time I’m in it. These guys give it everything, and I want to match that.”

Prock’s effort came just one year after he celebrated a personal milestone at this very track, and the energy in Epping once again seems to be working in his favor.

Close behind Prock is Bob Tasca III, whose Ford Mustang clocked in at 3.891 seconds at a blazing 335.40 mph. Paul Lee sits third with an identical time but a slower speed of 329.18 mph.

Kalitta Rockets to Top Fuel Lead

Doug Kalitta showed he’s still a major player in the Top Fuel class. After a modest first round, he came out swinging in Q2 with a run of 3.697 seconds at 331.36 mph — the only pass in the 3.60s on Friday.

It’s been a strong season of qualifying for Kalitta, and this run could mark his fourth straight No. 1 spot in 2025.

“The car didn’t start off smooth — it shook a little early — but once it straightened out, it really took off,” Kalitta said. “We were hoping to grab that lobster prize tonight, and this team gave me the setup to do it.”

Right behind him is Shawn Reed, who made a solid 3.702-second pass at 334.24 mph. Brittany Force kept the pressure on with a 3.713 at 334.48 mph, putting her comfortably in third after day one.

Coughlin Shocks Pro Stock Field

The biggest surprise of the night came in Pro Stock. Rookie driver Cody Coughlin took his KB Titan-powered Camaro to the top with a 6.537-second pass at 210.28 mph — his best showing yet since moving from stock car racing to NHRA competition.

What made the moment even more special was how smoothly the run felt to him.

“It felt so calm, I actually thought it was slow,” Coughlin said with a laugh. “But I guess that’s what they mean when they say smooth is fast. I’m just happy to be running with these guys and making progress.”

Coughlin edged out multi-time champion Greg Anderson, who also ran a 6.537 but at a slightly slower 209.95 mph. Points leader Dallas Glenn sits third with a 6.539 at 210.60 mph, keeping the top three tightly packed.

A Taste of New England Tradition

Adding some local flavor to the evening was the “No. 1 Clawifier Award,” presented by NAPA. In a fun twist, the provisional leaders in each class were given lobster dinners and a seat in a custom chair made from an old lobster trap — a New England Nationals tradition fans and drivers love.

What’s Next?

Friday featured two of four qualifying rounds, meaning there’s still plenty of action to come on Saturday. Drivers will return to the lanes starting at 12:30 p.m. ET to make their final attempts to improve their qualifying positions before Sunday’s eliminations.

With names like Antron Brown, Matt Hagan, Jack Beckman, Erica Enders, and J.R. Todd all lurking near the top in their respective classes, no spot is safe — and no outcome is guaranteed.

Final Thoughts

Friday’s qualifying at the New England Nationals was a blend of power, precision, and personality. Whether it was Prock’s commanding run, Kalitta’s rocket ride, or Coughlin’s rookie surprise, the night delivered everything NHRA fans hoped for — and more.

With two more rounds to go and the weather on their side, fans at Epping are in for a thrilling weekend of drag racing. which my fousing keyword