JOLIET, Ill. – Robert Hight rocketed to the No. 1 qualifying position in Funny Car on Saturday at the 22nd annual Route 66 NHRA Nationals at Route 66 Raceway.
Mike Salinas (Top Fuel), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are also the No. 1 qualifiers in their respective categories at the ninth of 24 events during the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.
After a lengthy weather delay, Funny Car points leader Hight powered to the top spot for the sixth time this year 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. The two-time world champion has two victories from the No. 1 spot this season.
“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.”
Tommy Johnson Jr. moved to second during the final qualifying session with his 3.882-second run at 326.24 mph, while Friday’s provisional No. 1 Ron Capps, who is seeking this third consecutive victory, finished third.
Top Fuel’s Salinas picked up his third No. 1 qualifier this season and fourth in his career after his run of 3.693 seconds at 328.30 mph from Friday in his Scrappers Racing dragster. In a strong field of 21 dragsters, Salinas was the only driver to reach the 3.60s.
“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.”
Antron Brown qualified second after going 3.715 seconds at 328.14 mph, while defending world champ and points leader Steve Torrence, who is after his fourth straight win this season, took the third spot.
In Pro Stock, 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 seconds at 210.54 mph 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 the year Saturday, slipping past teammate Jason Line during the final qualifying session.
“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).”
Line finished second with a 6.575-second pass at 209.39 mph, while Matt Hartford took third.
Krawiec took his second No. 1 qualifier of the season and 45th in his career in Pro Stock Motorcycle thanks to his 6.801-second pass at 198.79 mph from Friday on his Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson. Krawiec will be racing for his first victory of the year after watching teammate Andrew Hines win four of the first five events of the year.
“I’ve got a great crew that’s behind me,” Krawiec said. “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.”
Defending world champion Matt Smith qualified second with a 6.819-second run at 200.00 mph and Hines sits third.