Courtney Force continued to be the class of the Funny Car field when she raced to the qualifying lead Friday at the 18th annual Fitzgerald USA NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway.
 
Clay Millican (Top Fuel) and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) are also qualifying leaders in their respective categories at the 11th of 24 events in the 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.
 
Force moved to the category lead on her second run of the day with a pass of 3.993 seconds at 325.92 mph in her Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro, as she was the only driver in the class to run under the four-second mark. The current points leader is on the hunt for her seventh No. 1 qualifying position of the season and fifth in the past six events.
 
"This car was hauling down the track and it was really a great run altogether," Force said. "It's huge for us to pick up some bonus points and this has been a great start to the weekend."
 
J.R. Todd sits in second with a 4.072 at 313.15 in his DHL Toyota Camry and defending world champ Robert Hight was third overall in his Auto Club Chevy with a 4.077 at 316.97. Defending event winner Ron Capps is 14th in his NAPA Dodge with a 4.362 at 215.93.
 
In Top Fuel, Millican powered to the top spot with a 3.817 at 322.88 in his Great Clips/Strutmasters dragster during the second qualifying pass of the day. The defending event winner is aiming for his fifth No. 1 qualifier on the season, as he also chases his third event victory in the past four events.
 
"I was really shocked that our run held up during the second qualifying round, because our team wasn't swinging for a home run with that pass," Millican said. "I believe that there was more out there tonight, but my focus is on getting back in the Winner's Circle here in Bristol."
 
Five-time Bristol winner Tony Schumacher is second after day one with a 3.830 at 323.66 in his U.S. Army dragster. Antron Brown is third in his Matco Tools dragster with a 3.832 at 319.67 and defending world champ Brittany Force is fifth overall in her Advance Auto Parts dragster with a 3.875 at 320.20.
 
Anderson heads the Pro Stock class after speeding to a 6.674 at 205.35 in his Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro during his second pass of the day. The four-time world champion is chasing his seventh No. 1 qualifying spot of the season and third in a row.
 
"This track presents a different challenge, but apparently we did the best job of handling the conditions today," Anderson said. "We knew it would be tough tomorrow if we didn't make a strong run in the night session, but we did a great job and got the most out of it that we could."
 
Jeg Coughlin Jr. is second in his JEGS.com/Elite Chevy with a 6.683 at 205.22 and was followed by Drew Skillman who posted a 6.685 at 204.57 in his Camaro and Tanner Gray was fourth in his Gray Motorsports Camaro with a 6.688 at 205.44. Defending winner Alex Laughlin sits fifth in his Fitzgerald USA Camaro with a 6.692 at 203.58.
 
In Pro Mod, Steven Whiteley led Friday qualifying in the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by presented by J&A Service portion of the Fitzgerald USA NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway. This weekend's Pro Mod racing, presented by Elite Motorsports, is the sixth of 12 events this season.
 
Whiteley ran a 5.823-second pass at 250.51 mph in the second qualifying session in his J&A Services / Y-Not Racing '18 Chevy Camaro to take the top spot.
 
"I knew it ran decent, but I couldn't believe we ran that quickly especially in these conditions," Whiteley said. "We are hoping to stay in that top spot tomorrow but it will depend on track conditions and weather to see if anyone can run better."
 
Rick Hord is currently qualified second with a 5.855 pass at 251.72 and Mike Castellana settles in at third with a run of 5.855 at 249.58.
 
Whiteley currently sits 14th in the points standings as he chases his first No. 1 qualifier in 2018.
 
NHRA Mello Yello Series qualifying continues with sessions at 1 and 4 p.m. on Saturday to set the field for Sunday's noon eliminations.
 
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BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Friday's results after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the 18th annual Fitzgerald USA 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. Clay Millican, 3.817 seconds, 322.88 mph; 2. Tony Schumacher, 3.830, 323.66; 3. Antron Brown, 3.832, 319.67; 4. Scott Palmer, 3.863, 319.82; 5. Brittany Force, 3.875, 320.20; 6. Steve Torrence, 3.879, 321.81; 7. Dom Lagana, 3.886, 321.19; 8. Mike Salinas, 3.917, 314.97; 9. Shawn Reed, 4.019, 263.62; 10. Leah Pritchett, 4.129, 224.25; 11. Doug Kalitta, 4.419, 187.08; 12. Richie Crampton, 4.626, 169.81; 13. Terry McMillen, 4.724, 159.34; 14. Pat Dakin, 4.874, 152.66; 15. Terry Totten, 6.899, 84.96.
 
Funny Car -- 1. Courtney Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.993, 325.92; 2. J.R. Todd, Toyota Camry, 4.072, 313.15; 3. Robert Hight, Camaro, 4.077, 316.97; 4. Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 4.078, 312.06; 5. Cruz Pedregon, Camry, 4.109, 304.05; 6. John Force, Camaro, 4.115, 313.51; 7. Jack Beckman, Dodge Charger, 4.130, 307.86; 8. Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 4.167, 303.03; 9. Shawn Langdon, Camry, 4.191, 299.00; 10. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.192, 296.24; 11. Jim Campbell, Charger, 4.215, 295.98; 12. Jeff Diehl, Toyota Solara, 4.298, 290.13; 13. Del Worsham, Camry, 4.335, 231.91; 14. Ron Capps, Charger, 4.362, 215.93; 15. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.457, 201.79; 16. Jonnie Lindberg, Mustang, 5.346, 138.33.
 
Pro Stock -- 1. Greg Anderson, Chevy Camaro, 6.674, 205.44; 2. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.683, 205.26; 3. Drew Skillman, Camaro, 6.685, 204.82; 4. Tanner Gray, Camaro, 6.688, 205.60; 5. Alex Laughlin, Camaro, 6.692, 203.58; 6. Jason Line, Camaro, 6.700, 204.57; 7. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.703, 204.82; 8. Vincent Nobile, Camaro, 6.703, 204.08; 9. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.704, 205.07; 10. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.706, 205.91; 11. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.710, 204.66; 12. Tim Freeman, Camaro, 6.744, 202.94; 13. John Gaydosh Jr, Chevrolet Camaro, 6.800, 203.12; 14. Tommy Lee, Camaro, 7.012, 193.88; 15. Alan Prusiensky, Dodge Dart, 10.396, 87.04; 16. Wally Stroupe, Camaro, 13.947, 60.12.
 
* * *
 
BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Friday's results after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the 18th annual Fitzgerald USA NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway, the sixth of 12 events in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.
 
Pro Modified -- 1. Steven Whiteley, Chevy Camaro, 5.823, 250.51; 2. Rick Hord, Chevy Corvette, 5.855, 251.72; 3. Mike Castellana, Camaro, 5.855, 249.58; 4. Mike Janis, Camaro, 5.861, 244.07; 5. Jeremy Ray, Corvette, 5.870, 244.47; 6. Rickie Smith, Camaro, 5.872, 245.18; 7. Khalid alBalooshi, Camaro, 5.872, 244.78; 8. Bob Rahaim, Camaro, 5.908, 246.39; 9. Danny Rowe, Camaro, 5.919, 246.75; 10. Troy Coughlin, Ford Mustang, 5.928, 247.84; 11. Chad Green, Camaro, 5.939, 245.63; 12. Jeffery Barker, Pontiac GXP, 5.952, 250.69; 13. Sidnei Frigo, Corvette, 5.954, 248.34; 14. Michael Biehle, Mustang, 5.958, 246.75; 15. Jim Whiteley, Camaro, 5.960, 241.07; 16. Pete Farber, Dodge Daytona, 5.964, 239.31.
Not Qualified: 17. Chip King, 5.966, 241.20; 18. Todd Tutterow, 5.992, 242.32; 19. Brandon Snider, 6.004, 241.45; 20. Doug Winters, 6.013, 239.06; 21. Richie Stevens, 6.171, 240.38; 22. Steve Jackson, 6.228, 201.97; 23. Clint Satterfield, 6.345, 235.31; 24. Harry Hruska, 6.928, 170.69; 25. Eric Dillard, 7.654, 139.33; 26. Steve Matusek, 7.739, 124.50; 27. Chuck Little, 7.866, 84.23; 28. Dan Stevenson, 8.313, 158.82; 29. Erica Enders, 9.011, 101.81.