NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

The first day of qualifying for the 39th annual Pep Boys NHRA Nationals brought warmer temps than we're used to here at Maple Grove Raceway, but as the sun set during the second session, it was a free for all as crew chiefs were working to make the most of what will likely be the best conditions of the weekend.

Top Fuel

Top Fuel brought the widest of grins as the driver sitting in the top spot changed hands repeatedly throughout the later session. In the end, it was Justin Ashley with the best at-bat, and he wheeled the Scag Power Equipment Toyota dragster to the provisional pole with an awesome 3.713-second pass.

Incoming points leader, defending event champion, and reigning Top Fuel world champ Doug Kalitta drove his Mac Tools dragster to a 3.736 at a big speed of 335. 73 mph to land No. 3 and pick up a bonus point, while eight-time world champ Tony Schumacher made a strong bid with a killer 3.733, 328.70 for the No. 2 spot. Locked out of the quick 16 on the first day were part-timers with heart, Smax Smith and Rit Pustari. They'll be looking to bump Shawn Reed, the No. 16 qualifier, right out with their efforts today.

Funny Car

Funny Car's top three points earners in the later session were points leader Austin Prock, who earned the provisional top spot in his Cornwell Tools/AAA Chevrolet with a career-best 338.43 mph run that came with the prized 3.849 e.t. Just behind Prock was the Bandero Tequila Toyota driven by Alexis DeJoria, who earned a pair of bonus marks.

Two-time world champ Jack Beckman, driving the Peak Chevrolet Funny Car on behalf of iconic John Force, claimed a bonus mark for his strong 3.869. Just 16 of the floppers were vying for a spot in the field, and West Palm Beach, Fla., driver Mike Smith is on the bump.

Pro Stock

The toe-to-toe battle between KB Titan Racing and Elite Motorsports bled right into Maple Grove Raceway, as expected, with KBT's Greg Anderson going low of the second session for top points on a 6.537, 209.23 that could not get ahead of Elite's defending Pro Stock titlist Erica Enders' 6.535, 210.34 in the first round of qualifying. Elite's Aaron Stanfield, driving the black JHG/Melling Performance/Janac Brothers Chevrolet, again proved that he is a threat for the championship as he claimed bonus points in both sessions. He's No. 4 on the qualifying sheet with his 6.541, 209.88 and entered the Countdown to the Championship No. 2 in the standings after his win at the U.S. Nationals.

In coming points leader Dallas Glenn and his RAD Torque Systems Chevrolet, out of the KBT stable, scored a total of three bonus points in the first two sessions and is No. 3 on the sheet for now. There are two on the outside looking to break in: Pro Stock newcomer Cory Reed and Sportsman champion Brandon Miller. Derrick Reese, with Kenny Delco-supplied equipment, is on the bump.

Pro Stock Motorcycle

The intense and very real rivalries in Pro Stock are only rivaled by, well, the ultra-intense rivalries in Pro Stock Motorcycle. The Vance & Hines Mission/RevZilla Suzukis ridden by reigning champion and points leader Gaige Herrera and Richard Gadson are charging, but six-time world champion Matt Smith and his Denso Buell are sitting in the top spot with full battle armor in place. Smith, the defending event champion, has spoken of exiting Pro Stock Motorcycle if he should win a seventh world title – something that has not been done before. Herrera, though, has countered with the intention to win the title and, thusly, keep Smith racing. The jabs have been interesting, but what's transpiring on the racetrack is what matters most. So far, Smith has pocked six bonus points – that's the max – and he's intending to grab some more today. Herrera and Gadson, though, are going to bring their best to the table as well. Herrera picked up two extra marks on Friday, as did Gadson.

Hector Arana Jr., though, has a GETTRX Buell that has proven to be strong. He was No. 2 after the first session and came away with a pair of bonus points as well. He was No. 4 at the end of the day. Kelly Clontz is in the No. 14 spot on the qualifying sheet with 14 motorcycles vying for position.

EVENT STATISTICS

2023 EVENT WINNERS: Doug Kalitta, Top Fuel; Robert Hight, Funny Car; Matt Hartford, Pro Stock; Matt Smith, Pro Stock Motorcycle

MOST VICTORIES: Tony Schumacher, 5, TF; John Force, 7, FC; Jeg Coughlin Jr., 4, PS; Angelle Sampey, 6, PSM

TRACK RECORDS

Top Fuel – 3.623 seconds by Brittany Force, Sept. '19; 337.66 mph by B. Force, Sept. '22

Funny Car – 3.837 seconds by Ron Capps, Sept. '19; 339.28 mph by Capps, Sept. '19

Pro Stock – 6.465 seconds by Erica Enders, Oct. '14; 214.59 mph by Greg Anderson, Oct. '15

Pro Stock Motorcycle – 6.672 seconds by Gaige Herrera, Sept. '23; 203.00 mph by Herrera, Sept. '23

SCHEDULE

SATURDAY, Sept. 14
LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations at 9:00 a.m. and 5:50 p.m.; Top Alcohol Dragster and Funny Car qualifying at 10:45 a.m.; Top Alcohol Dragster and Funny Car eliminations at 4:30 and 7:00 p.m.; Mountain Motor Pro Stock qualifying at 11:20 a.m.; Mountain Motor Pro Stock elimination at 5:25 p.m.; Factory Stock Showdown qualifying at 2:00 p.m. and eliminations and 5:30 p.m.; Factory Stock Showdown eliminations at 5:40 and 7:25 p.m.; MISSION FOODS SERIES qualifying at 12:00 and 2:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, Sept. 15
Pre-race ceremonies, 9:30 a.m. MISSION FOODS SERIES eliminations at 10:30 a.m.

TELEVISION

SUNDAY, Sept. 15
FS1 will televise one-and-a-half hours of qualifying coverage at coverage at 12:30 p.m. (ET)

SUNDAY, Sept. 15
FOX will televise two hours of finals coverage at 2:00 p.m. or 4:30 p.m. (ET) (check local listings)

TICKETS

To purchase tickets to the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, click here or call 800-884-6472