The 12th annual NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway delivered championship-caliber racing across all three professional categories, with Brittany Force making history in Top Fuel while J.R. Todd ended a lengthy drought in Funny Car and Greg Anderson continued his dominant Pro Stock campaign.

In a weekend filled with blazing speeds and emotional storylines, Brittany Force captured her first victory of the 2025 season with a commanding performance that saw her make two runs exceeding 340 mph. The Monster Energy dragster pilot’s victory carries special significance, as it ties her with legendary Shirley Muldowney for the most Top Fuel wins by a female driver in NHRA history with 18 career victories.

Force’s path to the winner’s circle was nothing short of spectacular. After qualifying with strong numbers, she systematically dismantled her competition, knocking off Clay Millican, Shawn Reed, and No. 1 qualifier Doug Kalitta en route to the final round. Her semifinal performance against Kalitta was particularly impressive, posting a track-record 341.42 mph blast at 3.681 seconds that came tantalizingly close to her own world record of 341.59 mph set last month in Charlotte.

The final round against points leader Tony Stewart proved to be a classic drag racing duel. Stewart, seeking his sixth consecutive final round appearance, grabbed the early advantage off the starting line with his quicker reaction time. However, Force’s superior horsepower and aerodynamic efficiency allowed her to track down Stewart’s dragster at the finish line, posting 3.694 seconds at 340.39 mph to Stewart’s 3.720 seconds at 329.91 mph.

“This is just a big one,” Force said in victory lane, dedicating the win to her father, John Force, who won at this same track a year ago before suffering a serious crash in Richmond two weeks later. The emotional victory represents not just personal achievement but a continuation of the Force family’s incredible drag racing legacy.

While Tony Stewart came up just short of victory, his runner-up finish demonstrated the consistency that has made him the championship favorite. The former NASCAR Cup Series champion has now reached five consecutive final rounds, building a commanding 71-point lead over second-place Shawn Langdon in the Top Fuel standings.

Stewart’s path to the final included victories over Rit Pustari, Justin Ashley, and reigning world champion Antron Brown, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure against elite competition. Despite the loss, his points lead suggests he remains the driver to beat as the season progresses toward the Countdown to the Championship.

In Funny Car, J.R. Todd’s victory represented one of the most impressive comebacks in recent memory. After suffering a catastrophic engine explosion during Saturday’s final qualifying session, Todd and his team worked until midnight rebuilding their DHL Toyota GR Supra for race day.

The former world champion rewarded his crew’s tireless efforts with a flawless performance on Sunday, defeating Cruz Pedregon, Phil Burkart, and Alexis DeJoria before facing rookie Spencer Hyde in the final round. Todd’s 3.888-second pass at 332.43 mph easily outdistanced Hyde, who encountered tire shake that cost him any chance at an upset victory.

The win marked Todd’s first since the 2024 season opener, ending a frustrating 25-race winless streak. More importantly, it validated the decision to hire crew chief Dickie Venables during the off-season, giving the veteran tuner his first victory with the team.

“I’m just glad we got that win out of the way for Dickie’s sake,” Todd explained. “When you hire a guy of that caliber, people expect you to win.” The victory moved Todd from 10th to sixth in the Funny Car points standings, putting him back in championship contention.

Greg Anderson’s mastery of Pro Stock competition showed no signs of slowing at New England Dragway, as the reigning world champion captured his third victory in seven races this season. Anderson’s 6.469-second pass at 212.19 mph in the final round not only defeated longtime rival Erica Enders but also established a new track elapsed time record.

The victory was particularly satisfying for Anderson, who has now reached the final round at every event in 2025. His HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro has proven to be the class of the Pro Stock field, with Anderson and teammate Dallas Glenn combining to win every event this season for KB Titan Racing.

Anderson’s career achievements continue to mount, as he now sits just three round wins away from becoming only the second driver in NHRA history to reach 1,000 career round victories. John Force remains the only other driver to achieve this milestone, adding another layer of significance to Anderson’s pursuit of drag racing immortality.

The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series continues its 2025 campaign with the 24th annual Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway in Bristol, Tennessee, June 6-8. With championship battles heating up across all three professional categories, the mid-season stretch promises to deliver more thrilling competition as drivers position themselves for the Countdown to the Championship.

For Brittany Force, the New England victory provides crucial momentum as she seeks to match her father’s championship success. Tony Stewart’s points lead remains substantial but not insurmountable, while J.R. Todd’s breakthrough victory could signal a late-season surge in Funny Car. In Pro Stock, Greg Anderson’s quest for 1,000 round wins adds an intriguing subplot to what has already been a dominant season for the veteran champion.