Father, Daughter Earn Provisional Top Spots at Mopar Express Lane NHRA SpringNationals presented by Pennzoil

BAYTOWN, TX – April 12, 2019 – (Motor Sports Newswire) –  Brittany Force arrived to the 32nd annual Mopar Express Lane NHRA SpringNationals presented by Pennzoil ready to defend her 2018 win and she’s off to a good start after earning the provisional No. 1 qualifying position at Houston Raceway powered by Pennzoil on Friday.

B. Force isn’t the only Force family member off to a good start in Houston. Her father and 16-time Funny Car world champion John Force currently sits No. 1 in the Funny Car division.

The father-daughter duo has never been low qualifier at the same event. They will try to hold onto these titles on Saturday when nitro qualifying continues.

B. Force and her Advance Auto Parts dragster team were No. 1 for both qualifying sessions on Friday for the start of the weekend but it was her pass of 3.661-seconds at 332.18 mph that secured a new Houston Raceway track record.

“That’s an amazing pass for this team,” B. Force stated. It took us awhile to find our stride and really, we’ve been turning a corner these last few races. In Vegas, we almost had it, we were runner-up. Then to come out here and go No. 1 Friday is awesome. But really, ultimately, we’re looking for a win.”

J. Force and his PEAK Coolant and Motor Oil / BlueDEF Chevy Camaro SS team picked up the Funny Car No. 1 spot with their 3.888 pass at 319.29.

“My daughter Brittany. I thought the .88 was impressive in a Funny Car,” J. Force said. “But that .66 was real impressive. That team, they know what they’re doing and my group, they’re having to put up with me. So, we’ll see what happens. My hot rod does the running for me.”

J. Force is already in a better position than he was a year ago in Houston, when the drag racing veteran failed to qualify for the event. J. Force is in search of his eighth win at Houston while his daughter looks for her second.

Racing action at the Mopar Express Lane NHRA SpringNationals presented by Pennzoil will continue on Saturday with nitro qualifying beginning at 2:30 p.m. CT.

BAYTOWN, TX — Friday’s results after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the 32nd annual Mopar Express Lane NHRA SpringNationals presented by Pennzoil at Houston Raceway Park powered by Pennzoil, fifth of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday’s final eliminations.

Top Fuel — 1. Brittany Force, 3.661 seconds, 332.18 mph; 2. Steve Torrence, 3.703, 324.67; 3. Leah Pritchett, 3.720, 326.40; 4. Doug Kalitta, 3.727, 316.45; 5. Terry McMillen, 3.732, 323.04; 6. Mike Salinas, 3.735, 321.27; 7. Austin Prock, 3.745, 322.42; 8. Jordan Vandergriff, 3.746, 317.72; 9.
Billy Torrence, 3.754, 323.58; 10. Scott Palmer, 3.771, 321.81; 11. Richie Crampton, 3.780, 317.19; 12. Antron Brown, 3.782, 320.74; 13. Clay Millican, 3.805, 310.70; 14. Shawn Reed, 4.024, 236.63; 15. Cameron Ferre, 4.028, 291.89; 16. Jim Maroney, 4.054, 288.21.
Not Qualified: 17. Kebin Kinsley, 5.132, 163.26.

Funny Car — 1. John Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.888, 319.29; 2. Tim Wilkerson, Ford Mustang, 3.895, 321.12; 3. J.R. Todd, Toyota Camry, 3.903, 326.08; 4. Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 3.916, 318.47; 5. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 3.929, 324.67; 6. Jack Beckman, Charger, 3.932, 311.34; 7. Ron Capps, Charger, 3.940, 317.94; 8. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 3.958, 317.34; 9. Blake Alexander, Mustang, 3.978, 303.30; 10. Shawn Langdon, Camry, 3.979, 314.68; 11. Jim Campbell, Charger, 4.037, 311.92; 12. Jonnie Lindberg, Mustang, 4.090, 309.27; 13. Jeff Diehl, Camry, 4.118, 293.98; 14. Terry Haddock, Mustang, 4.182, 294.69; 15. Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 4.810, 168.43; 16. Todd Simpson, Charger, 5.169, 149.56.
Not Qualified: 17. Robert Hight, 5.342, 158.26.

To purchase reserved seats, call (281) 383-RACE (7223) or visit www.houstonraceway.com. Kids 13 and under are free on the spectator side with a paid adult. To honor NHRA’s Salute to First Responders, military and first responders can save 20 percent on reserved tickets in advance or at the gate. For more information, visit www.NHRA.com.

About NHRA

Headquartered in Glendora, Calif., NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 24 national events featuring the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, and E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and the NHRA Drags: Street Legal Style presented by AAA. NHRA also offers NHRA Jr. Street program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League for youth ages 5 to 17. In addition, NHRA owns and operates four racing facilities: Atlanta Dragway in Georgia; Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis; and Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in Southern California. For more information, log on to NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

Source: National Hot Rod Association

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