40th annual NHRA Reading Nationals presented by Nitro Fish
Maple Grove Raceway
September 12-14, 2025

John Hall Wins Reading Nationals

John Hall threw his name into the Pro Stock Motorcycle championship conversation with a fantastic Sunday at Maple Grove Raceway, defeating teammate Matt Smith in the final round with a run of 6.802 at 199.70 on his American Rebel Light/Matt Smith Racing Buell. It is Hall’s second victory this season and first-ever at Maple Grove Raceway, vaulting him to a tie for second in points in the process.

After defeating Kelly Clontz in the opening round, Hall sent a strong message in the quarterfinals, defeating back-to-back world champ Gaige Herrera with a 6.806, keeping Herrera winless in Reading in his career. He followed with a victory against rookie Brayden Davis, setting up the matchup with Smith. It was the first MSR-versus-MSR matchup in the final round since Sonoma last season and Hall prevailed this time, leaving first and pulling away as Smith ran into trouble, as Hall earned his fourth career victory.

“They’re all special for me. To do it in the Countdown is great because, I mean, there’s six races in the Countdown — you’ve got to bring your A-game,” Hall said. “We had a new tire on there that wasn’t working for us. We put the old tire back on, which worked out. We went four 6.80s in a row. The track was great — thank you to the Koretsky family for a great track and to MSR.

It is great that they gave me this opportunity. Matt Smith and Angie Smith gave me an opportunity to come out here and compete, probably in the later stages of my career, and I’m just thankful for everything.”

Smith moved into the points lead, advancing to his fourth final this year and 85th in his career thanks to round wins against Brandon Litten, Jianna Evaristo and Richard Gadson. He leads Herrera and Hall by just six points, with Gadson just nine points back in fourth.

The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series returns to action Sept. 19-21 with the NHRA 4-Wide Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte.

Eliminations Round 1

W – John Hall – 0.046 / 6.800 / 199.11
L – Kelly Clontz – 0.093 / 20.099 / 26.46

John Hall is 47 – 48 in Rd. 1 in his career. Kelly Clontz is making her 78th start. Hall is 2 – 0 against Clontz in prior events. Hall with the starting line advantage and never trailed for the win. He makes his quickest pass of the weekend for the win. Clontz with problems right at the hit and pulls in the clutch.

W – Angie Smith – 0.060 / 6.833 / 196.79
L – Steve Johnson – 0.041 / 6.950 / 189.82

Angie Smith is 5 – 1 in Rd. 1 since Bristol. In his 1st race here in 1993 Steve Johnson went to the semi-finals. Smith is 17 – 12 against Johnson in prior events. Johnson with the starting line advantage, but Smith chased him down by half track and takes the win.

W – Jianna Evaristo – 0.038 / 7.012 / 195.08
L – Ron Tornow – 0.165 / 6.921 / 192.77

Jianna Evaristo is 5 – 3 in Rd. 1 when starting #7. Ron Tornow is making his 38th start. Evaristo and Tornow have each won 1 times against the other in prior events. Evaristo with the starting line advantage and the power to hold on for the hole shot win.

W – Chase Van Sant – 0.049 / 6.882 / 193.71
L – Chris Bostick – 0.024 / 9.929 / 83.86

Chase Van Sant wins 81% of his Rd. 1 races when he has lane choice. Chris Bostick 0 – 5 against Van Sant and they have all been in Rd. 1. Van Sant is 5 – 0 against Bostick in prior events. Bostick with the starting line advantage, but the bike was all over and he pulled in the clutch. Van Sant is straight down the groove for the win.

W – Brayden Davis – 0.020 / 6.847 / 199.32
L – Marc Ingwersen – 0.080 / 6.913 / 192.69

Brayden Davis has raced at 4 events this year and won 7 rounds. Marc Ingwersen is making his 62nd start. Davis is 1 – 0 against Ingwersen in prior events. Davis with the starting line advantage and never trailed for the win. He will give up lane choice to Angie Smith in the next round.

W – Richard Gadson – 0.050 / 6.777 / 199.91
L – Ryan Oehler – -0.032 / 6.964 / 189.76

Richard Gadson’s 21 round wins are the 2nd most in the class this year. Ryan Oehler is making his 99th start. Gadson is 2 – 0 against Oehler in prior events. Oehler goes red to give Gadson the win. Gadson with the quickest pass of the round. He will have lane choice over Van Sant in the next round.

W – Matt Smith – 0.070 / 6.741 / 200.23
L – Brandon Litten – 0.048 / 6.873 / 193.43

Matt Smith is 23 -1 in Rd. 1 in the last 2 years. Brandon Litten is making his 3rd start. This is the first time Smith and Litten have faced each other in eliminations. Litten with the starting line advantage, but Smith has the lead by half track and never trails from there on for the win. Smith runs the quickest pass of the round. He will have lane choice over Evaristo in the next round. Litten runs his career quickest pass in the losing effort.

W – Gaige Herrera – -0.007 / 6.819 / 198.26
L – BYE

Eliminations Round 2

W – Brayden Davis – 0.020 / 6.854 / 200.02
L – Angie Smith – 0.025 / 6.874 / 195.65

Smith is 1 – 0 against Davis in prior events. Davis with the starting line advantage, then Smith has the lead as they go by the Christmas tree. Davis chased her back down by 1000 feet and takes the win. Brayden Davis’ MOV: 0.0252 seconds (approximately 7 feet). Davis makes the 700th 200 mph PSM run.

W – John Hall – 0.0466.806 / 198.61
L – Gaige Herrera – 0.0336.851 / 197.36

John Hall is 2 – 1 against Gaige Herrera this year. He is the only rider with a winning record against Herrera this year. Herrera is 9 – 3 against Hall in prior events. Herrera with the starting line advantage, but Hall has the lead as they go by the Christmas tree and never trailed for the win.

W – Richard Gadson – 0.020 / 6.781 / 200.00
L – Chase Van Sant – 0.037 / 6.902 / 195.25

Gadson and Van Sant have each won 5 times against the other in prior events. Gadson with the starting line advantage and never trailed for the win. Gadson then lost an engine after the finish line. Gadson with the quickest pass of the round.

W – Matt Smith – 0.033 / 6.790 / 198.93
L – Jianna Evaristo – 0.056 / 6.923 / 192.19

Smith is 9 – 3 against Evaristo in prior events. Smith with the starting line advantage and never trailed for the win. Smith with the win, but will give up lane choice to Gadson in the semifinal.

Eliminations Semi-Final

W – John Hall – 0.012 / 6.800 / 199.23
L – Brayden Davis – 0.042 / 6.812 / 199.76

This is the first time Hall and Davis have faced each other in eliminations. Hall with th starting line advantage and never trailed for the win. He is advancing to his third final this season and seventh of his career.

W – Matt Smith – 0.050 / 6.862 / 197.83
L – Richard Gadson – 0.030 / 6.949 / 199.26

Smith is 3 – 2 against Gadson in prior events. Gadson with the starting line advantage, but Smith has the lead as they go by the Christmas tree and never trailed from there on for the win. Smith will give up lane choice to Hall in the final. Smith is advancing to his fourth final round this season and 85th career final.

Eliminations Final

W – John Hall – 0.050 / 6.802 / 199.70
RU – Matt Smith – 0.069 / 6.950 / 167.66

Smith is 11 – 5 against Hall in prior events and each has won 1 times against the other in final rounds. Hall with the starting line advantage and never trailed for the win. Hall wins his second Wally this season and fourth of his career.

SATURDAY QUALIFYING

Pro Stock Motorcycle’s Gaige Herrera wasn’t challenged for the No. 1 spot on Saturday, as the points leader picked up his fifth No. 1 qualifier this season thanks to Friday’s 6.745 at 200.20 on his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki.

The good news is Herrera made two more strong runs in front of a capacity crowd on Sunday, putting the back-to-back world champion in an ideal spot to win for the first time at Maple Grove Raceway in his storied career.

“The track has been very consistent today in the heat and that gives us good data going into tomorrow,” Herrera said. “I’m happy to get the win for Vance & Hines and all the guys back at the shop. I feel like tomorrow we’re going to have a very strong field. Between me and Richard, I’m glad we’re on opposite sides. I definitely don’t want to race him early.

“This crowd really loves the bikes. I’ve got friends here who had never seen Nitro cars before today, and now they want to come to more NHRA races. It feels like home — like we brought our bike crowd into the NHRA world.”

Matt Smith grabbed the second spot with Friday’s 6.753 at 200.95 and Gadson stayed third with his 6.763 at 200.92.

1. Gaige Herrera – 6.745 / 200.2
2. Matt Smith – 6.753 / 200.95
3. Richard Gadson – 6.763 / 200.92
4. Brayden Davis – 6.78 / 201.49
5. Angie Smith – 6.801 / 199.67
6. Chase Van Sant – 6.807 / 197.13
7. Jianna Evaristo – 6.816 / 199.2
8. John Hall – 6.829 / 198.85
9. Kelly Clontz – 6.841 / 198.35
10. Ron Tornow – 6.843 / 198.58
11. Chris Bostick – 6.848 / 198.09
12. Steve Johnson – 6.853 / 194.1
13. Marc Ingwersen – 6.87 / 194.55
14. Ryan Oehler – 6.87 / 191.76
15. Brandon Litten – 6.918 / 195.51

FRIDAY QUALIFYING

On his quest for a third straight world championship, Pro Stock Motorcycle’s Gaige Herrera is off to a good start, going 6.745 at 200.20 on his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki to take over the provisional No. 1 spot. Fresh off a U.S. Nationals victory and a regular-season championship, Herrera has big goals in mind for this weekend’s race at Maple Grove Raceway.

It remains the only track on the NHRA circuit where Herrera, a 26-time event winner, hasn’t won, something he hopes to change this weekend. His Friday went well, putting Herrera on track for his fifth No. 1 of the season.

“Reading has definitely defeated me the last two seasons,” Herrera said. “My best here is a semifinal, so my main goal this weekend is to go one round further and hopefully not leave here second in points like I have the last two years. This place is beautiful, the Koretsky family has done so much with it and I’m glad to be back. To leave here with a win and check that box would mean a lot.

“It’s a different atmosphere here — there are tons of fans and they love motorcycles. It’s not more pressure, it’s just a different vibe. It’s a fast track, I love racing here, but it’s been tough on me.”

Matt Smith is second after his run of 6.753 at 200.95 and Richard Gadson’s 6.763 at 200.92 puts him third.

1. Gaige Herrera – 6.745 / 200.2
2. Matt Smith – 6.753 / 200.95
3. Richard Gadson – 6.763 / 200.92
4. Brayden Davis – 6.78 / 201.49
5. Angie Smith – 6.806 / 198.41
6. Chase Van Sant – 6.807 / 197.13
7. Ron Tornow – 6.843 / 198.58
8. Steve Johnson – 6.853 / 194.1
9. Kelly Clontz – 6.857 / 193.16
10. John Hall – 6.868 / 199.17
11. Marc Ingwersen – 6.87 / 194.55
12. Ryan Oehler – 6.871 / 194.35
13. Chris Bostick – 6.905 / 195.25
14. Brandon Litten – 6.922 / 193.24
15. Jianna Evaristo – 14.394 / 52.09

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About Mission Foods

MISSION®, owned by GRUMA, S.A.B. de C.V., is the world’s leading brand for tortillas and wraps. MISSION® is also globally renowned for flatbreads, dips, salsas and Mexican food products. With presence in over 112 countries, MISSION® products are suited to the lifestyles and the local tastes of each country. With innovation and customer needs in mind, MISSION® focuses on the highest quality, authentic flavors, and providing healthy options that families and friends can enjoy together. For more information, please visit https://www.missionfoods.com/

About NHRA

NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 20 national events featuring the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+, NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™, NHRA Holley EFI Factory X, Pingel Top Fuel Motorcycle and Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage NHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock at select national events. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal™. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street® program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League® for youth ages 5 to 17. With 110 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services® (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv®, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

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