Pedregon tops Funny Car qualifying
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) – Former Funny Car champion Cruz Pedregon raced to the top of the 16-car starting order in the ACDelco NHRA Gatornationals on Friday. Pedregon had a 4.792-second run at 295.21 mph in a Monte Carlo.
John Force’s 4.802 at 316.97 mph in a Ford Mustang had him comfortably in fourth place with two rounds to go. Daughter Ashley Force was eighth with a 4.832.
Rod Fuller, two-time Pro Stock champ Jeg Coughlin and Chip Ellis also topped their divisions at historic Gainesville Raceway.
Fuller, the Phoenix winner and Top Fuel points leader, had a 4.535-second run at 323.66 mph. Teammate Whit Bazemore was second at 4.542.
In Pro Stock, 34-time winner Coughlin had a track-record 6.632-second run at 207.75 mph in his Chevrolet Cobalt.
The quickest rider in Pro Stock Motorcycle history, Ellis opened the season strong with the two best passes of the day, a 6.956 and a 6.957 on his Buell V-Twin. Three-time series champion Angelle Sampey, the most prolific female drag racer ever, was close behind with a 6.960 at 191.87 mph on her Suzuki.