JFR STACKS UP QUICK TIMES ON FRIDAY AT NORWALK
NORWALK, OH – John Force Racing wrapped up the second session of qualifying at the 10th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals by running to the top of the Funny Car and Top Fuel fields. During the Friday night session Courtney Force and Robert Hight each spent time as the provisional No. 1 qualifiers in Funny Car and Brittany Force was also on top for a few pairs in Top Fuel. At the end of the day Hight and Brittany Force were No. 3 in their respective classes with Courtney Force one spot behind her teammate and brother-in-law.
Robert Hight and the Auto Club Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car made a career quick run for the second race in a row lighting up the scoreboard with a 3.886 second pass at 327.03 mph. It was a tremendous run that had Hight proudly banging the top of his Funny Car as he climbed out through the roof hatch on the top end.
“We missed the track a little in the first run. If you don’t make this night run you are way behind the rest of the weekend. This really sets the pairings for Sunday. We do not want to be racing the No. 1 or No. 2 qualifiers early on Sunday. We ran big speed and better number two weekends in a row. Just a great job,” said Robert Hight.
The Auto Club Camaro Funny Car picked up one qualifying bonus point but more importantly with warmer weather on tap for tomorrow that solidified a top qualifying spot going into race day. The importance of executing a strong run on Friday night was not lost on Hight.
“That is a great run by the Auto Club team. Good job to (crew chief) Mike Neff. It is kind of a tight rope because we were like number seven or eight the first session and if you don’t make a good run tonight you are going to race a heavy hitter first round. You won’t be in the top twelve. You have to be easy. I figured we would go up there and run 3.91 or 3.92 to be safe. Mike Neff is getting more confidence in this Camaro and he made a great run. Good job to the team,” said Hight.
Just before Hight made his record run Courtney Force and the Traxxas Chevrolet Camaro Funny Car team grabbed the provisional No. 1 spot with a strong 3.889 second run. The run jumped Force from the bottom half of the field to the top spot and had the 2014 event runner-up excited to be back at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park.
“That run felt awesome. It actually started to get a little inside at the end of that run but I held on. I did not want to let go of that run. I knew it was one of the best runs of the entire weekend with these conditions. It is great to be back at Norwalk,” said Force. “I didn’t think I was going to get this Traxxas Chevrolet stopped at the other end. I heard I only had one parachute out. That sand trap was coming up a lot quicker than I expected. When the guys got on the radio and told me it was a 3.88 that made my day.”
If Force is able to hold onto the No. 4 spot it will be her best starting position at this race. The Traxxas Funny Car team has been consistently quick in qualifying starting in the top four at seven races already this season and never racing on Sunday from the bottom half.
“Running a 3.88 with this Traxxas team, the fastest name in radio controlled cars, is pretty amazing I am proud of these guys. It is a lot of fun driving this race car,” added Force.
The PEAK Antifreeze/Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car and driver John Force had their hands full on both runs on Friday. In the first session Force was just past half-track when his Goodyear slicks overpowered the track and the veteran driver had to lift off the throttle crossing the finish line with a pedestrian 4.512 second elapsed time.
In the second session Force was one of the first Funny Cars to make a run and once again he had to use all his driving skill to manhandle his Funny Car to the finish line. The 10,000 hp Nitro Funny Car was sashaying down the top end as Force fought for control masterfully keeping it in his lane and off the guard wall. Unfortunately the end result was a 4.114 second run that was only good enough for the thirteenth quickest time and he will have two more chances to improve his qualifying position.
“It is all about learning. We are still figuring out the new Camaro but it was hauling the mail. I may have over-corrected it on that run. It got loose and I was just trying to get it to the other end. I was trying to get a lap in tonight,” said a pumped up John Force at the top end. “I was trying to get into the top half and we’ll see if I got her done. I had to lift because it was too much in trouble at the finish line. Boy she whipped left and then right.”
Brittany Force and the Monster Energy team brought the fans to their feet with a great side by side qualifying run alongside Richie Crampton. Both Top Fuel dragsters ran 3.735 second which was the quickest of the session with Force getting the top spot on speed 324.28 over 317.79 mph. At the top end Force described the feeling of the run plus how she made a smart decision on the first run that cost her some ET.
“It was just a solid pull all the way down. Earlier on the first run I got lost a little on the track and lifted before the finish line. I just wanted to make sure I made it to the 1000 ft. I have a piece of foam between my legs so if you ever get in trouble your legs don’t bang together and on that run I don’t know what happened it flew up in front of my face. We’ll have to go check on that. It was an awesome run and I am happy where we are at,” said Force.
“I am happy with that spot for the Monster Energy team. I am proud of the team. I made sure to get it down there. I was a little shy on the first run. We got it down there on the second run.”