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Speed highlights NHRA Southern Nationals in Georgia
5-6 Vandergriff
At the NHRA Southern Nationals in Georgia, it was a special victory for Jordan Vandergriff, as he captured his first in the Funny Car category after 14 tries. He celebrated by getting out of his car once it came to a stop, then ran back up the track as the fans cheered him on. Photo By Mike Burghardt

Drag racing returned to Georgia with the NHRA Southern Nationals at South Georgia Motorsports Park in Adel, Georgia, May 1 through 3. There were plenty of amazing performances and surprises for the announced sold-out crowd. With a new speed record hitting 345 mph, the event also featured track conditions that continually threw curves at the crew chiefs and tuners.

In Top Fuel, Shawn Langdon set the new speed record of 345 mph on Friday and backed it up with a 3.683 at 344.91 mph during the rain-delayed Saturday session. Rookie driver, 21-year-old Maddi Gordon, scored her first 340 mph run during Q2 of Friday qualifying and also hit 340 mph in her round one win (3.728 at 340.22 mph) over Will Smith, before losing to Justin Ashley in the second round, when her car lost traction. Doug Kalitta had the only other car reaching the 340-mph feat, with a 3.657 at 342.37 mph. When qualifying was finished, Team Kalitta drivers, Doug Kalitta and Shawn Langdon were 1 and 2.

Langdon went on to defeat teammate, reigning two-time champion, Kalitta to collect his 34th Top Fuel victory. Langdon took the win, 3.808 at 331.6 mph to 3.954 at 314.61 mph, as both cars lost traction nearing the finish line.

There were no 340 mph runs in Funny Car, but the Kalitta Racing Team held the top spot in qualifying, as JR Todd ran the closest to 340 mph, with a 3.87 at 339.28 mph in his DHL Toyota. He was followed by Chad Green in his Bond Coat Mustang (3.894 at 323.29 mph) and Jordan Vandergriff in his Cornwell Tools Camaro (3.924 at 325.14 mph). The points leader, Ron Capps could not get a run in at over 200 mph, as they had a very tough time getting the track lanes figured out. He was eliminated in the first round of eliminations and became a spectator cheering on his rookie Top Fuel driver (and fan favorite) Gordon. Because of the short field (14-car ladder), pole sitter Todd received a bye run in to the semifinals, after he defeated first round opponent, Daniel Wilkerson. He then defeated Alexis DeJoria in a wild pedal fest as both cars lost traction, to advance to the final round. Vandergriff had the best running car in eliminations advancing past Jeff Arend, Spencer Hyde and Hunter Green to a final round match up against Todd. With track conditions becoming trickier, Vandergriff collected his first career Funny Car win, 4.007 at 314.17 mph to 4.784 at 169.89 mph. As his car came to a safe stop about 900 feet past the finish line, he jumped out and ran back up the track in his complete driver’s suit, carrying his helmet and waving at the crowd in celebration. It was the same thing his uncle, Bob Vandergriff, did back at the NHRA Fall Nationals in Enos, Texas in 2011. His uncle and teammates met him and celebrated near the finish line as the fans cheered and a TV crew captured the moment.

In Pro Stock, it was Greg Anderson who qualified at the top, 6.498 at 210.60 mph, followed by another KD Titan Team car, Eric Latino with a 6.508 at 209.75 mph. It was going to be the KD Titan team vs. the Elite Motorsports team battle, again, with Anderson having the car to beat.

But, on eliminations day, Anderson was taken out in the opening round by Matt Latino, on a hole-shot (0.024 0.068) 6.548 at 211.23 mph to quicker 6.512 at 211.39 mph. Erica Enders took out number three qualifier Aaron Stanfield and then Derek Kramer, before losing to Troy Coughlin Jr.

Dallas Glenn took out Jeg Coughlin Jr, Matt Latino and Greg Stanfield enroute to the final round. In the final, Glenn took the win, 23rd of his career and second of the season, 6.642 at 211.39 mph to 6.643 at 208.59 mph.

In Pro Stock Motorcycle it came down to two teams squaring off in the semifinal round. Husband and wife Denso/MSR/Buel team, consisting of Matt (six-time champion) and Angie Smith and the Vance and Hines team, consisting of Richard Gadson (2025 champion) and Gaige Herrera (two-time champion). Smith had the dominating motorcycle, as he ran 6.699 at 203.03 mph and 6.685 at 203.06 mph runs to defeat his wife Angie in the semis to square off against Richard Gadson. In the final, it was all Matt Smith, as he defeated Gadson for his 43rd career win (6.724 at 202.06 mph to 6.834 at 193.24 mph).