Cruz Pedregon. NHRA photo

Courtesy of the NHRA

MORRISON, Colo. – Looking for his first No. 1 qualifier since 2015, Cruz Pedregon raced to the provisional top spot in Funny Car on Friday during the 40th annual Dodge Mile-High NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil at Bandimere Speedway.

Steve Torrrence. NHRA photo

Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are also provisional No. 1 qualifiers in their respective categories at the 14th of 24 races during the 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.

Pedregon, who has two career Denver wins, went 4.002-seconds at 317.42 mph in his Snap-on Tools Dodge Charger to start the NHRA’s famed three-race Western Swing on a strong note. If it holds, it would be Pedregon’s first No. 1 qualifier since 2015 and 62nd in his career. Ron Capps is second after going 4.005 at 316.97, while Bob Tasca III is a spot behind in third.

Greg Anderson. NHRA photo

“We’ve had some ups and downs this year, but I think the needle is pointing up for us,” Pedregon said. “This Snap-on Tools Dodge Charger is starting to come around and I feel really good. This racetrack has been really good to me through the years. What’s really incredible is all the teams have figured out how to run well on the mountain, and that’s a credit to everyone.”

Defending Top Fuel world champion and current points leader Steve Torrence put up an impressive blast of 3.787 at a track-record speed of 330.31 to go to No. 1 in his Capco Contractors dragster. Torrence is seeking his eighth win in the past nine races. Defending race winner Leah Pritchett is currently second thanks to a pass of 3.839 at 321.35 and Antron Brown is third.

Andrew Hines. NHRA photo

In Pro Stock, defending event winner Anderson raced to the top spot in his Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro with a run of 6.980 at 196.30. Deric Kramer is second at his home track with a 6.981 at 196.04 and Erica Enders is a spot back in third.

Pro Stock Motorcycle points leader Andrew Hines continued his hot streak after going a class-best 7.232 at 186.20 on a new Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson FXDR the team debuted on Friday. Hector Arana is right behind in second after his 7.232 at 184.65, and defending world champ Matt Smith is third.

Qualifying continues Saturday at the Dodge Mile-High NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil at 4:15 p.m. MT.

Media Center Interviews:

Steve Torrence –

Cruz Pedregon –

Greg Anderson –

Andrew Hines –

MORRISON, Colo. — Friday’s results after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the 40th annual Dodge Mile-High NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil 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. Steve Torrence, 3.787 seconds, 330.31 mph; 2. Leah Pritchett, 3.839, 321.35; 3. Antron Brown, 3.863, 308.92; 4. Jordan Vandergriff, 3.864, 317.87; 5. Scott Palmer, 3.867, 315.27; 6. Richie Crampton, 3.871, 305.49; 7. Greg Carrillo, 4.704, 165.76; 8. Cameron Ferre, 4.785, 172.36; 9. Austin Prock, 4.793, 164.09; 10. Brittany Force, 5.405, 123.95; 11. Mike Salinas, 5.736, 117.90; 12. Terry McMillen, 6.887, 92.84; 13. Clay Millican, 7.471, 74.36; 14. Doug Kalitta, 7.803, 105.46; 15. Terry Totten, broke.

Funny Car — 1. Cruz Pedregon, Dodge Charger, 4.002, 317.42; 2. Ron Capps, Charger, 4.005, 316.97; 3. Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 4.008, 317.49; 4. John Force, Chevy Camaro, 4.051, 305.70; 5. J.R. Todd, Toyota Camry, 4.101, 271.13; 6. Robert Hight, Camaro, 4.145, 307.37; 7. Shawn Langdon, Camry, 4.291, 221.31; 8. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.324, 232.43; 9. Jim Campbell, Charger, 4.348, 281.19; 10. Todd Simpson, Charger, 4.520, 239.14; 11. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.607, 183.89; 12. Jeff Diehl, Camry, 5.993, 119.76; 13. Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 6.619, 97.96; 14. Jack Beckman, Charger, 7.299, 101.90.

Pro Stock — 1. Greg Anderson, Chevy Camaro, 6.980, 196.30; 2. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.981, 196.04; 3. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.995, 196.47; 4. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 7.001, 196.59; 5. Jason Line, Camaro, 7.004, 195.70; 6. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 7.007, 196.16; 7. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 7.011, 195.45; 8. Steve Matusek, Ford Mustang, 7.014, 195.82; 9. Bo Butner, Camaro, 7.015, 196.59; 10. Val Smeland, Camaro, 7.020, 193.05; 11. Richard Freeman, Camaro, 7.022, 195.31; 12. Fernando Cuadra, Camaro, 7.030, 195.85; 13. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 7.040, 195.28; 14. Alex Laughlin, Camaro, 7.047, 195.11; 15. Fernando Cuadra Jr., Camaro, 7.064, 194.72; 16. Cristian Cuadra, Mustang, 7.293, 187.42.  Not Qualified: 17. Joey Grose, 11.958, 74.22.

Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 7.232, 186.20; 2. Hector Arana, EBR, 7.232, 184.65; 3. Hector Arana Jr, EBR, 7.240, 183.47; 4. Matt Smith, EBR, 7.247, 185.64; 5. Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 7.265, 182.33; 6. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 7.283, 185.05; 7. Angelle Sampey, Harley-Davidson, 7.290, 184.62; 8. Angie Smith, EBR, 7.311, 183.97; 9. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 7.312, 182.62; 10. Scotty Pollacheck, EBR, 7.318, 182.23; 11. Cory Reed, EBR, 7.354, 181.52; 12. Eiji Kawakami, EBR, 7.421, 180.24; 13. Joey Gladstone, EBR, 7.425, 180.91; 14. Jim Underdahl, Suzuki, 7.464, 179.47; 15. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 7.499, 179.14; 16. Ryan Oehler, EBR, 7.608, 182.35.  Not Qualified: 17. Andie Rawlings, 7.833, 168.39; 18. Jianna Salinas, 8.748, 106.19; 19. Michael Ray, 12.002, 66.43.