Courtesy of the NHRA

MORRISON, Colo. – Courtney Force powered to the Funny Car qualifying lead Friday night at the 38th annual Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals at Bandimere Speedway.

Courtney Force. NHRA photo

Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Drew Skillman (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are also provisional qualifying leaders in their respective categories at the 14th of 24 events on the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.

Force set both ends of the track record after a 3.889-second pass at 328.30 mph in her Advance Auto Parts Chevy Camaro during the first qualifying session. She is aiming for her sixth No. 1 qualifier of the season and is currently chasing her first win of 2017.

“It’s important to make a solid pass early at a track like this, but the coolest part is my team taking full advantage of the great conditions that we had today,” Force said. “I’m really proud of my guys and I know we are going to put in the effort to try and have another great run tomorrow.”

Doug Kalitta. NHRA photo

John Force landed second in Funny Car qualifying with a 3.899 at 301.87 in his Peak Performance Chevy Camaro. Robert Hight rounded out the top three in preliminary qualifying, securing a 3.973 at 315.56 in his Auto Club of Southern California Chevy Camaro.

Kalitta leads the Top Fuel category with an elapsed time track record run of 3.767 at 323.97 in his Mac Tools dragster during his second pass of the day. He is searching for his second No. 1 qualifier on the year and 49th of his career.

“I was confident coming into the day, but knew nothing would be easy at a track like this,” Kalitta said. “I tip my hat to my guys after not even making a run in the first round to having the type of run we were able to have in the second qualifying session.”

Drew Skillman. NHRA photo

Steve Torrence sits second in the preliminary qualifying after a 3.775 run at 323.97 in his Capco Contractors dragster, while Tony Schumacher is third with a 3.776 pass at 326.63 in his U.S. Army dragster.

In Pro Stock, Skillman currently holds the top spot after driving to a 6.925 run at 197.94 in his Ray Skillman Chevrolet Camaro during the only Pro Stock session of the day due to inclement weather. He is looking for his first No. 1 qualifier of the season following his first victory in 2017 in Chicago.

“We worked really hard these past few days and changed a lot on the car to get it ready for tonight and it obviously showed with the results tonight,” Skillman said. “I have some work to do and know there’s some improvement with my driving, but we have to come out with the same mindset tomorrow and see what happens.”

Eddie Krawiec. NHRA photo

Erica Enders is second in preliminary qualifying with a 6.944 at 198.17 in her Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro. Greg Anderson is in the third spot with a 6.958 run at 196.70 in his Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro.

Krawiec finished atop the Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying order after posting time of a 7.178 at 185.66 in his Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson during his only pass of the day. He is aiming for his 35th career No. 1 qualifier and the second of this season.

“We definitely left a little out there, mainly because we underestimated the track and the amount of power we needed for a good run,” Krawiec said. “I do think we have room to improve and we know which direction to go, we just have to learn how to run on air like this on a track this unique.”

Hector Arana Jr. is in the No. 2 slot after a 7.191 at 186.36 in his Lucas Oil Buell during his second pass of the day, while Jerry Savoie sits at third with a 7.206 at 183.37 in his White Alligator Racing Suzuki.

Qualifying continues at 4:00 and 6:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Media Center Interviews:

Doug Kalitta –

Courtney Force –

Drew Skillman –

Eddie Krawiec –

MORRISON, Colo. — Friday’s results after the first day of qualifying for the 38th annual Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals at Bandimere Speedway, 14th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.  Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday’s final eliminations.

Top Fuel — 1. Doug Kalitta, 3.767 seconds, 323.97 mph; 2. Steve Torrence, 3.775, 323.97; 3. Tony Schumacher, 3.776, 326.63; 4. Brittany Force, 3.782, 318.84; 5. Shawn Langdon, 3.795, 313.37; 6. Leah Pritchett, 3.801, 318.09; 7. Clay Millican, 3.910, 251.44; 8. Bob Vandergriff, 3.913, 274.16; 9. Antron Brown, 3.941, 308.50; 10. Terry McMillen, 4.022, 293.92; 11. Scott Palmer, 4.082, 230.53; 12. Terry Haddock, 4.224, 275.56; 13. Troy Coughlin Jr., 6.287, 111.69; 14. Greg Carrillo, 7.483, 108.78.

Funny Car — 1. Courtney Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.889, 328.30; 2. John Force, Camaro, 3.899, 301.87; 3. Robert Hight, Camaro, 3.973, 315.56; 4. Cruz Pedregon, Toyota Camry, 3.981, 300.06; 5. Tim Wilkerson, Ford Mustang, 3.989, 319.82; 6. Jonnie Lindberg, Camry, 3.993, 319.98; 7. Alexis DeJoria, Camry, 4.010, 322.65; 8. Ron Capps, Dodge Charger, 4.016, 303.37; 9. Jack Beckman, Charger, 4.024, 319.60; 10. J.R. Todd, Camry, 4.078, 308.35; 11. Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 4.266, 219.47; 12. Del Worsham, Camry, 4.320, 232.07; 13. Todd Simpson, Charger, 4.342, 248.07; 14. Jeff Diehl, Toyota Solara, 4.398, 295.79; 15. Jim Campbell, Charger, 5.316, 133.38; 16. Matt Hagan, Charger, 5.544, 113.27.

Pro Stock — 1. Drew Skillman, Chevy Camaro, 6.925, 197.94; 2. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.944, 198.17; 3. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.958, 196.70; 4. Jason Line, Camaro, 6.959, 198.06; 5. Allen Johnson, Dodge Dart, 6.959, 197.48; 6. Vincent Nobile, Camaro, 6.966, 197.65; 7. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.968, 196.13; 8. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.981, 196.87; 9. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.984, 196.10; 10. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 7.004, 196.33; 11. Alan Prusiensky, Dart, 7.080, 194.60; 12. Deric Kramer, Dart, 7.494, 181.62; 13. Richie Stevens, Dart, 7.648, 141.53; 14. Tanner Gray, Camaro, 12.716, 69.10.

Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 7.178, 185.66; 2. Hector Arana Jr, Buell, 7.191, 186.36; 3. Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 7.206, 183.37; 4. Matt Smith, Victory, 7.217, 185.49; 5. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 7.225, 185.89; 6. LE Tonglet, Suzuki, 7.229, 183.32; 7. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 7.270, 183.05; 8. Cory Reed, Victory, 7.275, 181.37; 9. Joey Gladstone, Suzuki, 7.276, 183.92; 10. Scotty Pollacheck, Suzuki, 7.294, 181.28; 11. Melissa Surber, Buell, 7.387, 183.79; 12. David Hope, Buell, 7.410, 179.92; 13. Mike Berry, Buell, 7.444, 177.63; 14. Lance Bonham, Buell, 7.477, 178.31; 15. Andie Rawlings, Suzuki, 8.162, 165.56; 16. Angelle Sampey, Victory, 10.283, 79.50.  Not Qualified: 17. Angie Smith, 11.113, 75.25.