There’s an adage that goes something along the lines of, “If you want to end a drought, hold a drag race.”
Friday at Summit Motorsports Park started much earlier than planned because of the threat of inclement weather, and the old saying once again proved to be true. While rain was expected to impact the schedule, competitors were still able to complete two qualifying sessions under dramatically different conditions.
You couldn’t have asked for more contrasting weather between Q1 and Q2 for the professional categories. The opening qualifying session featured sunshine and hardly any clouds, creating warm track conditions. By the second session, however, overcast skies had rolled in, temperatures cooled, and light rain began to fall during Top Fuel Q2 before Mother Nature briefly interrupted the action.
Despite the changing track conditions, it didn't slow down Top Fuel provisional No. 1 qualifier Shawn Langdon, who continued his incredible 2026 season. Langdon will enter Saturday atop the leaderboard thanks to a stellar pass of 3.742 at 335.23 mph.
Norwalk serves as the home track for Kalitta Motorsports, making this weekend one of the most meaningful events on the team's schedule each season. That significance is even greater this year as the NHRA pays tribute to the Kalitta family throughout the weekend. Even with the added attention, Langdon said his focus remains on doing his job once he straps into the race car.
“Obviously, you want to come out here and represent the Kalitta family to the best of your ability. So it’s always neat when you get opportunities like that to be able to do that, and then icing on the cake if you’re able to do it well and get a win.
“Yeah, it is a big weekend. We do have a lot of partners out here this week and a lot of our sponsors. We had our big Summit, the B2B Summit, yesterday, so there’s a lot of attention going towards our teams this weekend. But once you really get into the race car and the helmet goes on, all that stuff kind of goes away, and you become even more focused on what you've got to do.”
In Funny Car, Ron Capps made the most of the improved conditions during the final qualifying session of the day. His pass of 3.894 at 328.38 mph was enough to put him in the provisional No. 1 position heading into Saturday.
Although the revised Friday schedule didn't affect his routine behind the wheel, Capps admitted he has plenty of respect for the challenges crew chiefs face when weather conditions constantly evolve throughout the day.
“Luckily, all I have to worry about is changing my face shield — either a clear shield or smoke, you know, a dark one.
“I don’t know how crew chiefs sleep at night. I really don’t. I have a problem sleeping, thinking about who we have to race. They’ve got to worry about eighty different timers and controllers and tire pressure and wheelie bar height, and just all that.
“This place is notorious for changing. I mean, in one session to the next, let alone day to day. But we know it’s going to be humid, and we know it’s going to be warm on Sunday. This is another one of those places we talk about when those conditions rear their head. It’s like you feel you won a championship when you’re down there holding [Norwalk’s famous Ice Cream Scoop Trophy], but it’s crazy because you are worn out. To get through all that as a team member, a crew chief, a driver, and be there at the end of the day, you sleep good.”
If the run holds through the remaining qualifying sessions, it would mark Capps' third No. 1 qualifier of the season and the 40th of his Hall of Fame career.
In Pro Stock, Greg Anderson claimed the provisional No. 1 qualifier position with a run of 6.550 at 209.36 mph. While Friday's performance put him at the top of the qualifying sheet, Anderson admitted his attention is already turning toward one of the marquee events of the weekend: Saturday's GETTRX Pro Stock All-Star Callout.
“Tomorrow’s the big day,” Anderson said. “We love special races like this, and I’ve been fortunate the past two years, so hopefully tomorrow’s another big day. But we had to set it up today. I think we got all the points we can get today.”
Anderson will look to capture another GETTRX Pro Stock All-Star Callout title after winning the inaugural event in 2024. Matt Hartford took home the victory in 2025, adding another chapter to the growing showcase event.
In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Gaige Herrera continued to show that his team has regained the momentum it found in Bristol. Herrera earned the provisional No. 1 qualifier with a pass of 6.779 at 199.64 mph, giving him another strong opportunity to add to his already impressive season.
Although the opening stretch of the year presented challenges for the defending champion, Herrera said his confidence in both himself and his team never faded.
“No, you don’t lose confidence, you know? I have one of the best teams out here, and you can never lose confidence in me. You can have highs, you can have lows, you know? It’s just part of drag racing, part of any kind of motorsport, really. You just got to show up and treat every race like it is and have all the confidence in the world.”
With two rounds of qualifying complete, the stage is set for an action-packed Saturday at Summit Motorsports Park as teams battle for final qualifying positions and special-event bragging rights.
Day two of the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Norwalk Nationals is scheduled to get underway at 11:30 a.m. with the GETTRX Pro Stock All-Star Callout.
(Photo Credit: NHRA)