B. Force, Hagan, Smith, Preliminary Qualifying Number 1 on NHRA Return to Virginia

Top Fuel Points leader Brittany Force held on both ends of the track record at Virginia Motorsports Park, taking part in the previous qualifying match № 1 on Friday at the Virginia NHRA Nationals.

Matt Hagan (Funny Car) and Angie Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are also preliminary qualifiers 1 as five of the six records were broken on Friday in the seventh of 22 races during the 2022 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season.

The NHRA’s first appearance on the track in three years of the Force accelerated to an impressive 3,710 at 335.82 miles per hour on its 11,000-horsepower Flav-R-Pac dragster, making the fastest and fastest run in Virginia Motorsports Park history. If it continues, it will be the second first place this year and the 34th overall for the Force, which now has nine of the 10 fastest runs in Top Fuel history. The Star Race also gives the Force, which became a two-time winner in 2022, to track ET records at 11 different venues.

“It became clear and [crew chief, David] Grubnich set a goal, and we have reached this mark, ”Fors said. “We’re excited about it. It was a good, steady run and we hope for two more runs tomorrow. [I’m] very excited to make this launch here in Virginia. We’ve been here for the last time since 2019, so the opportunity to come out here for the fans and do a show for them, it was great. We just want to keep improving and see what we can do on race day. ”

Justin Ashley, who qualified at No. 1 in the last race in Charlotte, is currently in second place after his pass of 3.725 seconds at 327.82 mph. Doug Foley is in third place thanks to his 3.733s at 318.69 mph.

Hagan, the leader in Funny Car points, also broke the speed record by climbing to the top from 3,914 s at 335.82 mph on his Smithfield Brand Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat. The impressive pass surpassed the previous record by nearly 10 miles per hour, putting Hagan, who already has a pair of wins this season, on his way to his second No. 1 qualifier this season. In his 300th career start it would also be the 45th qualifying match № 1 of his career for the Virginia native.

“I’m so proud of everyone on this team,” Hagan said. “They all work great, and in general, I am very happy with this race. These 335 miles per hour are an idea of ​​the horsepower of this car. This is my 300th career start and we’ve got a new look at the car, so it’s nice to be temporary number 1. I’m happy to do what we do and just cool to stay in the 300 races. These cars have such a fine line and everything has to be perfect, but that’s just the evidence [crew chief] Wild [Venables] and our guys. “

Dale Crisis Jr. made the best pass of his career 3.974 to 319.07 and is currently in second place. It was the only other three-second pass during Friday’s Funny Car session. Blake Alexander ran 4,007 s at 304.05 mph, which put him in third place.

Smith ended the day with a pair of records in Pro Stock Motorcycle, making his own story with a remarkable 6,788 second pass at a speed of 200.38 miles per hour on his Denso Auto Parts Buell. It is the first 200-mph motorcycle in track history and also gave Smith the fastest run on a VMP. If so, then for Smith it will be the second qualifying match № 1 in her career as she aims to win her first win of the 2022 season.

“It was very fun to drive at 200 miles per hour,” Smith said. “I love this facility and we often come here to test and it’s just a great track. I would say this is my second home and it was good. Hopefully we will be able to maintain that momentum. We are well off the starting line and that is the key to these bikes. For us, it’s a very consistent track, and seeing that on the scoreboard is 200, interesting. You want to put on a good show for the fans. ”

Points leader Steve Johnson, who won the race in a row, went 6.826 seconds at 198.12 mph to get second place, while husband Angie and world champion Matt finished third after 6.827 seconds at 199.32 mph. .

Qualifying continues at 1pm ET on Saturday at the Virginia NHRA Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park.