Courtesy of the NHRA

BRISTOL, Tenn. – The Funny Car 16-time world champion John Force went to the top of the category during the second qualifying session Friday evening at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway.

John Force. NHRA photo

Doug Kalitta is also the provisional No. 1 qualifier in Top Fuel for the 11th of 24 events on the 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.

Force paced the Funny Car category Friday evening with a run of 3.911-seconds at 326.95 mph in his PEAK Chevrolet Camaro SS. He is chasing his third No. 1 qualifier of the season, first win of the year and fifth at Bristol Dragway.

“We’re learning and I really thought that there would be a number of cars that would step up,” Force stated. “Especially Jimmy Prock (Robert Hight’s crew chief) and I thought he would run an .88 or something. Our car went though, and it was really hunting down there. Tomorrow is a new day but I’m excited for my guys. It’s a good race car and I’m proud to drive it. I’m learning about it and at my age I thought I knew everything about it.”

Shawn Langdon sits in the No. 2 spot with his pass of 3.944 at 324.51 in his Global Electronics Toyota Camry and Bob Tasca III rounds out the top three.

Doug Kalitta. NHRA photo

Kalitta powered to the top of the class with a run of 3.755 at 324.67 during the second round qualifying in his MAC TOOLS dragster. He is looking for his first No. 1 qualifier of the season, second victory of the year and seventh career final round at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals.

“We are always excited to come here,” Kalitta said. “I remember coming here when I was working on Connie’s (Kalitta, team owner) cars back in the ‘80s so it’s a lot of cool history coming here just for me. It was a nice run though. It’s been awhile since we were low qualifier any of the days. I’m real proud of my guys though. We’re working our tails off to try and make it happen.”

Leah Pritchett is currently in the second position with her second qualifying pass of 3.757 at 323.04 and defending world champion Steve Torrence is third.

Qualifying continues for the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at 1 and 4 p.m. ET on Saturday.

Media Center Interviews:

John Force –

Doug Kalitta –

BRISTOL, Tenn. — Friday’s results after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the 19th annual 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. Doug Kalitta, 3.755 seconds, 324.67 mph; 2. Leah Pritchett, 3.757, 323.04; 3. Steve Torrence, 3.768, 326.00; 4. Antron Brown, 3.768, 325.14; 5. Mike Salinas, 3.774, 325.69; 6. Austin Prock, 3.783, 325.92; 7. Brittany Force, 3.790, 325.45; 8. Terry McMillen, 3.795, 312.78; 9. Richie Crampton, 3.807, 320.13; 10. Dom Lagana, 3.811, 323.58; 11. Scott Palmer, 3.834, 311.77; 12. Clay Millican, 3.837, 316.30; 13. Pat Dakin, 4.080, 219.72; 14. Audrey Worm, 4.978, 144.50; 15. Lex Joon, 5.361, 130.17; 16. Cameron Ferre, 11.244, 69.28.

Funny Car — 1. John Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.911, 326.95; 2. Shawn Langdon, Toyota Camry, 3.944, 324.51; 3. Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 3.959, 318.54; 4. Jack Beckman, Dodge Charger, 3.976, 319.90; 5. J.R. Todd, Camry, 3.984, 318.99; 6. Robert Hight, Camaro, 3.998, 318.99; 7. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.012, 317.27; 8. Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 4.025, 313.51; 9. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 4.054, 310.70; 10. Terry Haddock, Mustang, 4.156, 300.33; 11. Blake Alexander, Mustang, 4.198, 236.42; 12. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.497, 191.02; 13. Jim Campbell, Charger, 4.573, 190.48; 14. Ron Capps, Charger, 5.217, 142.10; 15. Jeff Diehl, Camry, 10.986, 76.66.