Eddie Krawiec took his second No. 1 qualifier of the season and 45th in his career in Pro Stock Motorcycle at the 22nd annual Route 66 NHRA Nationals at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Illinois.

Eddie ran a 6.801 at 198.79 on his Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson in Q3, which held up during an exceptionally ugly Q4 in what should have been optimal conditions. “I’ve got a great crew that’s behind me,” is the benign Krawiec quote that the NHRA ran in their press release. “It’s just fun to come out here and have a great bike going into raceday. I’m just looking at making good, cleans laps because that’s what it’s going to take to win.” Yawn.

Krawiec actually had more interesting things to say, about how the track was “too good” in the rain-delayed Q4 and caused bogs and whatnot. You can see video of his comments in the Eatmyink Facebook Group.

After watching teammate Andrew Hines win four of the first five events of the year, Krawiec will be racing for his first victory of 2019. He faces Michael Ray in E1, which is interesting because Michael is only here to test a Maxx ECU on the Matt Smith Racing Victory and wasn’t supposed to stage on raceday. But is Matt Smith really gonna give Eddie a bye run? Pass up any chance of picking up a garbage win against a championship contender? Matt Smith?!

Matt qualified second with a 6.819 at 200.00 and WILL get a bye, as Steve Johnson blew his only motor in Q1 on Friday. Johnson has already packed up and gone home, presumably, where he is spending his time getting pissed at me for posting a video that anyone watching the Fox broadcast would have seen.

Hines—who bogged and died in Q4—sits third with a 6.835 at 197.62 and will face Andie Rawlings.

Hector Arana Jr. had Q4’s best pass and sits fourth in the order with a 6.83 at 197. He faces Kelly Clontz, who missed Q2 while fixing a transmission.

Hector Arana Sr. is fifth with a 6.84 and lines up against Jianna Salinas, who qualified 12th with her first-ever 6 second pass——a 6.98 at 190.

Angie Smith is sixth with a 6.865 and will race Marc Ingwerson—qualified 11th with a 6.94 at 192 on the Jon and Parker Miller Buell.

Angelle Sampey sits seventh with a 6.867 at 195. She’ll race Scotty Pollacheck.

Lastly, homeboy Ryan Oehler is eighth with a 6.891 at 197 and faces a tough match with Karen Stoffer—ninth with a 6.892 at 194 on the White Alligator/Skillman Suzuki.

Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 6.801, 198.79 vs. 16. Michael Ray, Buell, 7.435, 145.28; 2. Matt Smith, EBR, 6.819, 200.00 vs. 15. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 7.343, 139.14; 3. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.835, 197.62 vs. 14. Andie Rawlings, Suzuki, 7.337, 178.52; 4. Hector Arana Jr, EBR, 6.838, 197.22 vs. 13. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 7.102, 190.30; 5. Hector Arana, EBR, 6.849, 197.54 vs. 12. Jianna Salinas, Suzuki, 6.989, 190.97; 6. Angie Smith, EBR, 6.865, 197.16 vs. 11. Marc Ingwersen, Buell, 6.949, 192.85; 7. Angelle Sampey, Harley-Davidson, 6.867, 195.36 vs. 10. Scotty Pollacheck, EBR, 6.917, 193.77; 8. Ryan Oehler, Buell, 6.891, 197.19 vs. 9. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 6.892, 194.83.

After a the lengthy weather delay, Funny Car points leader Robert Hight powered to the top spot for the sixth time in 2019 and 66th time in his career with a run of 3.880-seconds at 334.24 mph during the final qualifying session in his Auto Club Chevrolet Camaro SS. Hight was 14th in qualifying before the impressive run during the fourth session, and will seek his fourth victory in 2019. The two-time world champion has two victories from the No. 1 spot this season.

Tommy Johnson Jr. moved to second during the final qualifying session with his 3.882 at 326.24, while Friday’s provisional No. 1 Ron Capps, who is seeking this third consecutive victory in 2019, finished third with a 3.882 at 325.53.

“The conditions were there tonight, and we gave it the power and it stuck,” Hight said. “It was a great run and I’m loving the conditions we’re going to have (Sunday). It’s awesome to come to Chicago and see a field like this. There are a lot of good cars here. Some didn’t make it, but for a while there we were wondering if it was going to be us. When you’re 14th going into the last session, it’s a little nerve-wracking.”

Funny Car — 1. Robert Hight, Chevy Camaro, 3.880, 334.24 vs. 16. Jim Campbell, Dodge Charger, 4.055, 314.75; 2. Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 3.882, 326.24 vs. 15. Paul Lee, Charger, 4.026, 296.44; 3. Ron Capps, Charger, 3.882, 325.53 vs. 14. Bob Bode, Ford Mustang, 4.015, 315.05; 4. Shawn Langdon, Toyota Camry, 3.896, 332.84 vs. 13. Jeff Arend, Mustang, 3.985, 321.12; 5. Jack Beckman, Charger, 3.899, 331.28 vs. 12. Blake Alexander, Mustang, 3.959, 325.22; 6. J.R. Todd, Camry, 3.904, 327.43 vs. 11. John Force, Camaro, 3.948, 326.48; 7. Matt Hagan, Charger, 3.936, 323.97 vs. 10. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 3.943, 322.19; 8. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 3.939, 321.88 vs. 9. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 3.940, 327.11.

Did Not Qualify: 17. Justin Schriefer, 4.056, 305.01; 18. Dale Creasy Jr., 4.085, 308.07; 19. Terry Haddock, 4.175, 300.66.

Top Fuel’s Mike Salinas picked up his third No. 1 qualifier of 2019 and fourth in his career after his run of 3.693 at 328.30 from Friday in his Scrappers Racing dragster held up. In a strong field of 21 dragsters, Salinas was the only driver to reach the 3.60s. Antron Brown will start from second after going 3.715 at 328.14, while defending world champ and points leader Steve Torrence, who is after his fourth straight win this season, took the third spot with a run of 3.757 at 324.05.

“We do have a good program,” Salinas said. “I’m doing the same thing I was doing last year. The only difference is the people who are behind me now. They’re making this possible and I’m trying to do what they need me to do. The level we’re at now, it’s a different level than I’ve ever been. It’s pretty intense and it’s pretty amazing.”

Top Fuel — 1. Mike Salinas, 3.693 seconds, 328.30 mph vs. 16. Scott Palmer, 3.854, 321.73; 2. Antron Brown, 3.715, 328.14 vs. 15. Brittany Force, 3.819, 320.36; 3. Steve Torrence, 3.757, 322.34 vs. 14. Terry McMillen, 3.810, 320.28; 4. Dom Lagana, 3.763, 323.19 vs. 13. Pat Dakin, 3.808, 324.12; 5. Doug Kalitta, 3.764, 322.96 vs. 12. Shawn Reed, 3.800, 319.67; 6. Austin Prock, 3.769, 321.19 vs. 11. Richie Crampton, 3.796, 320.13; 7. Clay Millican, 3.774, 324.98 vs. 10. Jordan Vandergriff, 3.794, 325.37; 8. Leah Pritchett, 3.776, 327.82 vs. 9. T.J. Zizzo, 3.783, 323.12.

Did Not Qualify: 17. Luigi Novelli, 3.946, 297.09; 18. Cameron Ferre, 3.950, 297.48; 19. Kyle Wurtzel, 3.961, 295.40; 20. Lex Joon, 4.097, 262.59; 21. Chris Karamesines, 4.468, 191.38.

In Pro Stock Car, Greg Anderson took over sole possession of third place in career No. 1 qualifiers in NHRA history with his 103rd after a run of 6.571 at 210.54 in his Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro. Anderson, who was previously tied with Bob Glidden for career No. 1 qualifiers, earned his first top spot of 2019, slipping past teammate Jason Line during the final qualifying session.

Line finished second with a 6.575 at 209.39, while Matt Hartford took third after going 6.585 at 206.76. Anderson will also be looking for his first win of the season on Sunday.

“That’s a huge number, no question about it,” Anderson said of his 103rd No. 1 qualifier. “Anytime you can go by one of Bob Glidden’s records, you better be proud of that. That’s pretty darn cool. This racetrack, I’ve always loved coming here. It’s a great Pro Stock track because every bit of power you can find you can apply to it. Tonight’s session was just a perfect running car. That’s great and now onto business (Sunday).”

Pro Stock Car — 1. Greg Anderson, Chevy Camaro, 6.571, 210.54 vs. 16. Alan Prusiensky, Dodge Dart, 6.696, 205.10; 2. Jason Line, Camaro, 6.575, 209.39 vs. 15. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 6.660, 206.54; 3. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.585, 206.76 vs. 14. Shane Tucker, Camaro, 6.657, 206.23; 4. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.590, 207.43 vs. 13. Val Smeland, Camaro, 6.635, 206.61; 5. Richard Freeman, Ford Mustang, 6.593, 207.24 vs. 12. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.628, 208.01; 6. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.594, 209.07 vs. 11. Rodger Brogdon, Camaro, 6.611, 207.27; 7. Fernando Cuadra, Camaro, 6.595, 207.94 vs. 10. Alex Laughlin, Camaro, 6.606, 206.92; 8. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.598, 209.10 vs. 9. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.599, 207.02.

Did Not Qualify: 17. Wally Stroupe, 6.707, 205.72; 18. Fernando Cuadra Jr., 6.745, 204.39; 19. Robert River, 6.876, 200.83.

story by NHRA and Tim Hailey, photos by Hailey