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Doug Kalitta, Ron Capps Win Big In NHRA 4-Wide Nationals At zMAX Dragway

by racerx55 April 26, 2026 1 comment

Story By Matthew Thomerson 

CONCORD, NC – The 16th annual NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway featured a track record winning run from Doug Kalitta in Top Fuel and a dominate Funny Car performance from Ron Capps.

Kalitta captured his second win of the season with a time of 3.692 seconds at 342.98 mph to win in Top Fuel. He beat teammate Shawn Langdon, Leah Pruett and Tony Stewart to get the 60th victory of his career. Kalitta, the defending Top Fuel champion, put down the fastest run in zMAX Dragway history and the third fastest time in the history of the NHRA. 

“Yeah, that’s incredible,” Kalitta said. “You know, it’s chaotic. It’s everything I think the fans love. So, yeah, this is definitely going to Connie (Kalitta, team owner).”

In Funny Car, it was Capps backing up his No.1 Qualifier Saturday to win for the second time this season. He beat Jack Beckham, Matt Hagan and JR Todd. The three-time champion put down a 3.905-second run at 334.90 mph. It’s the 79th win of his career and the second this season. He now leads the point standings. 

“Oh, well, Guido (crew chief) just said I needed him,” Capps said. “Aim right, keep it outside the right groove. And listen, driving a funny car, you’re hanging on for dear life. Sometimes you think you’re driving it. Most of the time, you’re not. Somehow I did that today. I don’t know what happened, but Guido, our NAPA Auto Care team, such a great job.”

Matt Hartford captured the victory over Cody Coughlin, Greg Anderson, and Matt Latino in Pro Stock. Hartford ran a 6.526-second lap time at 210.05 mph. It’s his 10th career win and second this season. He leaves third in the points standings.   

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Gaige Herrera was victorious for the 29th time in his young career. He ran a time of 6.758 seconds at 199.88 mph. He beat defending champion Richard Gadson, Clayton Howey, and Chase Van Sant.  

The eliminations started off tumultuously with a delay in Top Fuel for light rain, leading to controversy on the starting line involving Tony Schumacher and his Rick Ware Racing team. The team ultimately was never able to make another run.

Four-time Top Fuel Champion Antron Brown had trouble early as the supercharger exploded just seconds into his opening run. He was able to exit the car, and the eliminations resumed after a lengthy cleanup.

Next up, the NHRA is headed to the Southern Georgia Motorsports Park for the NHRA Southern Nationals, May 1-3. Catch the action on Fox Sports 1. 

Photo Credit: Hunter Thomas/TheFourthTurn.com