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Kalitta, Johnson Jr. and Line Top Winternationals Friday Qualifying

Doug Kalitta

Doug Kalitta raced to the qualifying lead in Top Fuel during Friday qualifying at the 55th annual Circle K NHRA Winternationals.

Tommy Johnson Jr. (Funny Car) and Jason Line (Pro Stock) also were qualifying leaders at the season-opener of the 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing season.

Kalitta posted a 3.733-second pass at 327.59 mph in his Mac Tools dragster during the final pair of the day at historic Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. In the first round of qualifying, Kalitta ran a 3.809-second run at 323.12 mph, which put him in the No. 2 spot after round one.

“We’re real happy with those two runs,” Kalitta said. “I’m not sure with the weather, I think it might be a little cooler tomorrow. There’s just a lot of good running cars that can run better than we did. So, hopefully I’m here again tomorrow talking to you guys. We’ll see how it goes.”

Kalitta was the No. 1 qualifier at this event last year and finished the race as runner-up. He earned six No. 1 qualifying positions in 2014 and appeared in nine final rounds en route to a fifth place points finish.

Reigning world champion Tony Schumacher qualified second in his U.S. Army dragster with a performance of 3.757 at 320.20. Spencer Massey qualified third with a 3.761 at 328.30 at the controls of his Red Fuel dragster.

Tommy Johnson Jr.

Tommy Johnson Jr.

In Funny Car, Johnson recorded a 4.018-second, 314.46 mph performance in his Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger, earning him the top qualifying position. Johnson posted a career-best third place points finish last season in his first season driving for Don Schumacher Racing.

“The team has just picked up right where we left off and gives me a lot of confidence,” Johnson said. “I know we have a very competitive team. We can roll it right off of the box at Pomona and pick up right where we left off. I think we’re on the right track to have a great season.”

Chad Head powered his Taylormade Aeroburner Toyota Camry to a second-place effort with a 4.060 at 309.63. John Force, the winningest driver in NHRA history, took third in his PEAK Chevy Camaro with a 4.061 at 313.66.

Reigning Funny Car world champion Matt Hagan qualified eighth on Friday with a 4.090 at 310.70 in the first round. His second-round race ended in spectacular fashion halfway down the track when the engine on his Mopar Dodge Charger caught fire. He escaped from the car without injury.

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Line, a three-time winner of the Winternationals and series runner-up a year ago, took the qualifying lead in Pro Stock with a 6.523-second run at 212.76 mph in his Summit Racing Equipment Chevy Camaro.003-JasonLine-Fri-PC1

“It was a good run,” Line said. “It was a nice run. I know I usually whine and say it wasn’t perfect but it was a nice run. It’s nice to be up here and I’m pretty happy about that. It’s fun to start day one of the 2015 Mello Yello drag racing season this way.”

Pro Stock newcomer Drew Skillman was the second qualifier, as his Ray Skillman Chevy Camaro sped to a 6.527 at 212.09. Greg Anderson sits third with a 6.535 at 211.99 in his Summit Racing Equipment Chevy Camaro.

Erica Enders-Stevens, reigning Pro Stock world champion, failed to make a full qualifying pass during the first two sessions as her Elite Motorsports Chevy Camaro lost traction on both attempts.

Qualifying continues Saturday with sessions at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. Sunday’s eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m.

This story was originally published on February 7, 2015. Drag Illustrated

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