CONCORD, N.C. — Matt Hagan dropped a new zMAX Dragway track record, as well as the lowest Funny Car elapsed time of the season, during Friday night qualifying for the betway NHRA Carolina Nationals.
The Tony Stewart Racing driver delivered a 3.825-second run at 333.49 mph under the lights, rocketing down the left lane of the drag strip in his Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage Funny Car. He is the provisional No. 1 qualifier.
“That was a great moment right there,” Hagan said. “Obviously Dickie Venables (crew chief) is always pushing, but I think it was such a big confidence booster for us after making that run, knowing that we can go .82.”
Reigning Funny Car champion Ron Capps qualified second with a 3.885-second ET at 329.02 mph.
Chad Green, Tim Wilkerson and Paul Lee completed the top five.
Top Fuel
Last week’s winner Doug Kalitta carried on the momentum during Friday night qualifying for the Carolina Nationals, outpacing Brittany Force to take the provisional No. 1 qualifying position.
Kalitta set a 3.665-second elapsed time (ET) at 331.61 mph in his Mac Tools dragster, knocking Force’s 3.686-second run at 332.75 mph out of the top spot.
“Just take advantage of what we’ve got going on here and we’ll see what we can do,” Kalitta said.
Justin Ashley qualified third in his Phillips Connect dragster.
Tony Schumacher and Antron Brown completed the top five in Top Fuel.
Pro Stock
Erica Enders got off to a strong start at zMAX Dragway, powering to the provisional No. 1 qualifying position in her cherry red Elite Motorsports machine. The reigning Pro Stock champion set an ET of 6.509 seconds at 210.18 mph.
At second in the standings, 30 points behind Matt Hartford, Enders is hoping to snag the lead from the clutches of the KB Titan Racing driver over the North Carolina race weekend.
“We can say ‘let the points count themselves,’ but we know what’s going on in the back of our minds. The guys radioed me in the shut-down area as I was slowing down and said, ‘Three more points,’” Enders said.
Camrie Caruso qualified second with a 6.525-second run at 209.20 mph.
Aaron Stanfield, Bo Butner III and Greg Anderson completed the top five.
Pro Stock Motorcycle
After an uncharacteristic stumble last weekend at the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals, Gaige Herrera was back on top in Pro Stock Motorcycle during qualifying at zMAX Dragway.
The standout rider traveled down the track in 6.731 seconds at 241 mph on his Vance & Hines Racing steed.
With his recent quarterfinal finish in Reading, Pa., Herrera is entering the Carolina Nationals second in the standings, 17 points behind Matt Smith. But the young, suave competitor isn’t worried.
“I’d rather be the chaser,” Herrera put plainly.
Chip Ellis, Eddie Krawiec, Jianna Evaristo and Angie Smith completed the top five.