HomeNews / Race Results2026 NHRA Great Lakes Nationals - John Hall WINS Pro Stock Motorcycle

2026 NHRA Great Lakes Nationals – John Hall WINS Pro Stock Motorcycle

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series

Dodge NHRA Great Lakes Nationals presented by MOPAR
U.S. 131 Motorsports Park
September 18-20, 2026

John Hall WINS Pro Stock Motorcycle

On a completely wild day in Pro Stock Motorcycle that featured upsets galore, John Hall finished the day in style, winning the opening race of the Countdown to the Championship for the second straight year by defeating first-time finalist Marc Ingwersen in the championship round after Ingwersen went red.

Hall went 6.808 at 194.22 on his Outlaw Beer Buell for Matt Smith Racing in the finals as well, picking up his first win of the season and the fifth in his career.

Ingwersen played the upset card well on Monday, defeating two-time champ Gaige Herrera in the first round, reigning world champ and points leader Richard Gadson in the second round and then No. 1 qualifier Ryan Oehler in the semifinals.

Hall wouldn’t be denied, though, as he defeated Clayton Howey, teammate Matt Smith and Ronald Procopio Jr. to reach the final round. Monday was a major shakeup in the category to open the postseason, but Hall was steady throughout and again started the Countdown with a major statement.

“It’s just a great feeling coming in strong and getting some momentum,” Hall said. “We did it last year, but let me tell you, I was ready to quit racing this weekend. I was so down on myself and that’s what drag racing does to you. I wasn’t riding like I wanted to, but I’m happy I’m back and I hope I’m back for a long time.

“I just go up there and do what I do. I don’t put a lot of thought or stress into it. It’s just awesome to be able to do this and these fans are awesome. The stands were full on a Monday and that was really cool to see. Everyone I raced was tough, so I knew I had to be good on the starting line. I got my confidence back, but it can go quick.”

Gadson leads Hall by a single point, with Matt Smith 25 points back in third.

The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series returns to action Friday through Sunday with the inaugural NHRA Nationals at The Rock at Rockingham Dragway in Rockingham, N.C.

John Hall Wins Pro Stock Motorcycle

ROUND 1

W – Chase Van Sant / 0.041 / 6.842 / 197.72
L – Steve Johnson / 0.065 / 7.158 / 148.47
This is the 27th different track where Steve Johnson has raced at a national event. Chase Van Sant starts the day with a 49-49 record. He is 34-16 in Round 1. Van Sant is 3 – 2 against Johnson in prior events. Van Sant with the starting line advantage for the win. Johnson with problems and sits up on the bike.
W – Angie Smith / 0.061 / 6.747 / 199.82
L – Wesley Wells / No Time
Angie Smith has won 17 rounds so far this year. She won 18 rounds in all of 2025. Wells is a no-show to give Smith the freebie. She is straight down the groove with a good pass.
W – Ronald Procopio Jr / 0.007 / 6.947 / 170.2
L – Geno Scali / -.043 / 6.928 / 196.16
This is Ronnie Procopio’s first start. Geno Scali is 84-79 in Round 1 races. Scali goes red to give Procopio the win, who has a great light. He will give up lane choice to Angie smith in the next round.
W – John Hall / 0.058 / 6.789 / 198.41
L – Clayton Howey / -.010 / 6.824 / 197.28
John Hall is 1-3 in his last three races. This is Clayton Howey’s seventh race of the year. This is the first time Hall and Howey have faced each other in eliminations. Howey goes red to give Hall the win.
W – Marc Ingwersen / 0.018 / 6.997 / 192.55
L – Gaige Herrera / 0.105 / 7.153 / 147.16
Gaige Herrera is 50-6 in Round 1 races. Marc Ingwersen is making his 74th career start. Herrera is 4 – 1 against Ingwersen in prior events. Ingwersen with the starting line advantage and never trailed for the win. Herrera blew up an engine on the top end.
W – Matt Smith / 0.066 / 6.778 / 198.68
L – Mathieu Dube / 0.124 / 7.830 / 164.35
Matt Smith wins 83% of his Round 1 races when he has lane choice. This is Mathieu Dube’s first start. Smith with the starting line advantage for the win. He will have lane choice over Hall in the next round.
W – Richard Gadson / 0.154 / 6.791 / 199.03
L – Mark Paquette / 0.027 / 7.228 / 151.67
Richard Gadson is 35-4 in Round 1 races. This is Mark Paquette’s 12th start. This is the first time Paquette and Gadson have faced each other in eliminations. Paquette with the starting line advantage. Gadson started to drift out of the groove, but reeled it in for the win. He will have lane choice over Ingwersen in the next round.
W – Ryan Oehler / 0.071 / 6.728 / 200.45
L – BYE
This is the first bye run of Ryan Oehler’s career (116 races). Oehler with the quickest pass of the round on the bye and will have lane choice over Van Sant in the next round.

ROUND 2

W – Marc Ingwersen / 0.018 / 6.819 / 196.51
L – Richard Gadson / -0.019 / 6.744 / 199.65
Gadson is 1 – 0 against Ingwersen in prior events. Gadson goes red to give Ingwersen the win.
W – Ronald Procopio Jr / 0.019 / 6.806 / 197.63
L – Angie Smith / 0.143 / 6.743 / 198.94
Procopio with the starting line advantage and the power to hold on for the hole shot win.
W – John Hall / 0.015 / 6.810 / 199.82
L – Matt Smith / 0.079 / 6.764 / 198.85
Hall with the starting line advantage and the power to hold on for the hole shot win. He will give up lane choice to Procopio in the semifinal.
W – Ryan Oehler / 0.033 / 6.755 / 195.91
L – Chase Van Sant / 0.037 / 6.829 / 197.28
Oehler with the starting line advantage and never trailed for the win. He will have lane choice over Ingwersen in the semifinal.

SEMI-FINAL

W – John Hall / -0.002 / 6.803 / 198.33
L – Ronald Procopio Jr / -0.042 / 6.899 / 176.06
Weather conditions: air temperature 63 degrees, relative humidity 66 percent, barometer 30.14 inches, adjusted altitude 1,316 feet, track temperature 92 degrees. Procopio goes red to give Hall the win.
W – Marc Ingwersen / 0.016 / 6.797 / 197.89
L – Ryan Oehler / 0.055 / 9.990 / 84.07
Ingwersen and Oehler have each won 2 times against the other in prior events. Ingwersen with the starting line advantage and never trailed for the win. He will have lane choice in the final. Ingwersen is the 74th rider to make a final in PSM.
John Hall Wins Pro Stock Motorcycle

FINAL

W – John Hall / 0.005 / 6.808 / 194.22
L – Marc Ingwersen / -.001 / 6.870 / 194.81
The #12 PSM qualifier is 2 – 6 in the Final round. The last #12 PSM to win a race was Karen Stoffer, Denver 2012. Hall is 7 – 4 against Ingwersen in prior events and this is the first time they have faced each other in a final round. Ingwersen is a tick too quick on the tree and turns on the red light to give Hall the win. He wins his fifth Wally and first this season. He moves into the second spot in the point chase.
John Hall Wins Pro Stock Motorcycle

 

SUNDAY

Due to persistent drizzle and falling temperatures, Sunday’s racing has been postponed at US 131 Motorsports Park. Eliminations are scheduled to take place on Monday starting at 11a ET. Gates will open at 8:30a ET.

Ryan Oehler
Ryan Oehler

Qualifying – Saturday

Pro Stock Motorcycle’s Ryan Oehler made it official on Saturday at a packed U.S. 131 Motorsports Park, picking up his first career No. 1 qualifier when Friday’s 6.7190 at 200.80 on his El Bandito Yankee Tequila EBR held up through Saturday’s two rounds.

“It’s very special,” Oehler said. “My dad is an engine developer and horsepower developer, and this is what he’s wanted. He’s always said, ‘I just want one of those yellow hats.’ I’ve always said, ‘I just want to be in the winner’s circle.’ We got him his yellow hat today.

Ryan Oehler
Ryan Oehler

“This really flexes his muscles and shows what we’re made of back home and what we’ve been doing in the offseason to make power. It’s going to be scary to see where we’re headed if we keep going in this direction.

“We have a brand-new engine we’re putting together right now. Whether it’ll be ready during the Countdown or not, it very well could be. That could be the secret sauce to a championship run.”

Angie Smith took second with a 6.7377 at 196.51 and Indy winner Matt Smith qualified third with a 6.7403 at 197.02.

1. Ryan Oehler 6.719, 200.80
2. Angie Smith 6.737, 196.51
3. Matt Smith 6.740, 197.02
4. Richard Gadson 6.746, 200.00
5. Gaige Herrera 6.760, 200.00
6. John Hall 6.764, 200.00
7. Ronnie Procopio, 6.782, 198.15
8. Steve Johnson 6.803,194.64
9. Chase Van Sant 6.810, 197.11
10. Geno Scali 6.853, 197.02
11. Clayton Howey 6.858, 195.31
12. Marc Ingwersen 6.870,195.65
13. Mark Paquette 7.091, 170.78
14. Mathieu Dube 7.543, 175.64
15. Wesley Wells 12.178, 64.26

Qualifying – Friday

Pro Stock Motorcycle’s Ryan Oehler made a big move to open the Countdown to the Championship, going 6.7190 at 200.80 on his El Bandito Yankee Tequila EBR to move to the top and put the veteran on track for his first career No. 1 qualifier.

Oehler put a noticeable difference between himself and the standout field during his second run of the day, which could be a statement run as he looks to make a big move in the playoffs. He started the weekend sixth in points, but Friday’s run showed what Oehler has, which could lead to a big move in Martin.

Ryan Oehler
Ryan Oehler

“We’ve been waiting for this for a long time. We’ve had two No. 2 qualifiers this season. We just needed a really good quality pass, and that was a textbook pass,” Oehler said. “We’ve got going on 10 years of experience now in the Pro Stock Motorcycle class. We’ve got a lot of scars to show for it.

“We’ve had some success, and we fell off, we’ve come back, and we’ve been on that teeter-totter. Now I think that we’re right there to put the pedal to the metal and send it all the way for the Countdown.”

Matt Smith
Matt Smith

Angie Smith is currently second with a 6.7377 at 196.51 and Indy winner Matt Smith went 6.7403 at 197.02. Points leader Richard Gadson is fourth after two sessions.

1. Ryan Oehler 6.719, 200.80
2. Angie Smith 6.737, 196.51
3. Matt Smith 6.740, 197.02
4. Richard Gadson 6.746, 200.00
5. Gaige Herrera 6.760, 200.00
6. Ronnie Procopio, 6.782, 198.15
7. John Hall 6.790, 197.98
8. Steve Johnson 6.803, 194.64
9. Chase Van Sant 6.810, 197.11
10. Geno Scali 6.853, 197.02
11. Clayton Howey 6.858, 195.31
12. Marc Ingwersen 6.933, 192.55
13. Mark Paquette 7.091, 170.78
14. Mathieu Dube 7.543, 175.64
15. Wesley Wells 12.178, 64.26

Gaige Herrera
Gaige Herrera

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.

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/

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