Tii Tharpe rode his Specvo-sponsored, Jay Turner Racing-owned and operated “Maddy” to the top of Friday’s Top Fuel Harley qualifying at the Fitzgerald USA NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Tennessee’s Bristol Dragway. Tharpe’s lap of 6.491 at 219.51 miles per hour came in the 6:00pm session—much cooler than the one at 3:00 that saw few bikes make clean runs.
Courtney Force continued to outrun the field in the Funny Car class by earning the preliminary No. 1 qualifier position. Force jumped atop the category lead with a pass of 3.993-seconds at 325.92 mph in her Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro recorded during her second qualifying run of the day, as she was the only driver in the class to run under the four-second mark. The current points leader is on the hunt for her seventh No. 1 qualifier of the year and fifth in the past six events.
“This car was hauling down the track and it was really a great run altogether,” Force said. “It’s huge for us to pick up some bonus points and this has been a great start to the weekend.”
J.R. Todd sits in second with a 4.072 at 313.15 in his DHL Toyota Camry during the second qualifying session.
Clay Millican powered to the top of Top Fuel with a run of 3.817 at 322.88 in his Great Clips/Strutmasters dragster during the second qualifying pass of the day. The defending event winner is aiming for his fifth No. 1 qualifier on the season, as he also chases his third event victory in the past four events.
“I was really shocked that our ran held up during the second qualifying round, because our team wasn’t swinging for a home run with that pass,” Millican said. “I believe that there was more out there tonight, but my focus is on getting back in the Winner’s Circle here in Bristol.”
Tony Schumacher slots into second after day one of qualifying with a 3.830 at 323.66 in his U.S. Army dragster.
Greg Anderson currently leads the Pro Stock class after driving to a 6.674 at 205.35 in his Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro during his second pass of the day. The four-time world champion is chasing his seventh No. 1 qualifying spot of the season and third in a row.
“This track presents a different challenge, but apparently we did the best job of handling the conditions today,” Anderson said. “We knew it would be tough tomorrow if we didn’t make a strong run in the night session tonight, but we did a great job and got the most out of it that we could.”
Jeg Coughlin Jr. finds himself second in preliminary qualifying following his 6.683 at 205.22 in his JEGS.com/Elite Performance Chevrolet Camaro during the second session.
Friday’s results after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the 18th annual Fitzgerald USA NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway, 11th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday’s final eliminations.
Top Fuel — 1. Clay Millican, 3.817 seconds, 322.88 mph; 2. Tony Schumacher, 3.830, 323.66; 3. Antron Brown, 3.832, 319.67; 4. Scott Palmer, 3.863, 319.82; 5. Brittany Force, 3.875, 320.20; 6. Steve Torrence, 3.879, 321.81; 7. Dom Lagana, 3.886, 321.19; 8. Mike Salinas, 3.917, 314.97; 9. Shawn Reed, 4.019, 263.62; 10. Leah Pritchett, 4.129, 224.25; 11. Doug Kalitta, 4.419, 187.08; 12. Richie Crampton, 4.626, 169.81; 13. Terry McMillen, 4.724, 159.34; 14. Pat Dakin, 4.874, 152.66; 15. Terry Totten, 6.899, 84.96.
Funny Car — 1. Courtney Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.993, 325.92; 2. J.R. Todd, Toyota Camry, 4.072, 313.15; 3. Robert Hight, Camaro, 4.077, 316.97; 4. Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 4.078, 312.06; 5. Cruz Pedregon, Camry, 4.109, 304.05; 6. John Force, Camaro, 4.115, 313.51; 7. Jack Beckman, Dodge Charger, 4.130, 307.86; 8. Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 4.167, 303.03; 9. Shawn Langdon, Camry, 4.191, 299.00; 10. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.192, 296.24; 11. Jim Campbell, Charger, 4.215, 295.98; 12. Jeff Diehl, Toyota Solara, 4.298, 290.13; 13. Del Worsham, Camry, 4.335, 231.91; 14. Ron Capps, Charger, 4.362, 215.93; 15. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.457, 201.79; 16. Jonnie Lindberg, Mustang, 5.346, 138.33.
Pro Stock — 1. Greg Anderson, Chevy Camaro, 6.674, 205.44; 2. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.683, 205.26; 3. Drew Skillman, Camaro, 6.685, 204.82; 4. Tanner Gray, Camaro, 6.688, 205.60; 5. Alex Laughlin, Camaro, 6.692, 203.58; 6. Jason Line, Camaro, 6.700, 204.57; 7. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.703, 204.82; 8. Vincent Nobile, Camaro, 6.703, 204.08; 9. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.704, 205.07; 10. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.706, 205.91; 11. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.710, 204.66; 12. Tim Freeman, Camaro, 6.744, 202.94; 13. John Gaydosh Jr, Chevrolet Camaro, 6.800, 203.12; 14. Tommy Lee, Camaro, 7.012, 193.88; 15. Alan Prusiensky, Dodge Dart, 10.396, 87.04; 16. Wally Stroupe, Camaro, 13.947, 60.12.
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