Funny Car racer Jack Beckman raced to the current No. 1 qualifying position in the category on Friday at the NHRA Toyota Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Clay Millican (Top Fuel), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are also provisional No. 1 qualifiers in their respective categories at the fifth of six playoff events during the 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship.
Beckman leads the class with his run of 3.922-seconds at 327.19 mph during the first session in his Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T. Beckman has two consecutive No. 1 qualifying positions at this event, one No. 1 qualifying position on the season, but the team has struggled since the start of the Countdown. They are looking for continued success this weekend to close out the 2018 season on a strong note.
“We have missed the mark too many times in the Countdown to be a contender for the championship,” said Beckman. “But it is so gratifying to know that every time I drive into the racetrack, Friday, Saturday or Sunday, I have a car capable of running as good as everybody else and we proved that today.”
Points leader Robert Hight is currently third with his run of 3.927 at 328.38 and his teammate Courtney Force is second with her qualifying attempt of 3.926 at 328.46.
Millican leads Top Fuel following his performance in the second qualifying session with a run of 3.699 at 327.82 in his Parts Plus / Great Clips dragster. Millican trails points leader Steve Torrence by 169 markers and strives to make up ground in the battle.
“We are having a heck of a year,” said Millican. “We definitely want to finish has high as we possibly can. That is my goal. Whatever that position I want it to be as high as it can. If it is second place, it is second place, as that is my career best point finish in NHRA.”
Torrence, who leads in points is second after the first day of qualifying with a run of 3.738 at 324.67. Defending world champion Brittany Force is third with her run of 3.747 at 328.94.
Anderson leads the Pro Stock category following his run of 6.638 at 205.57 in his Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro. Anderson has nine No. 1 qualifying position this season, his last in Sonoma, Calif.
“My Summit Chevy loves this racetrack,” said Anderson. “We won here last year, we qualified No. 1 last year and we are ready to do it again. I feel great about it. Last week was good, Jason (Line, team mate) got the job done last week with the win and off to a good start this weekend.”
Points leader Tanner Gray is 11th with a run of 6.669 at 206.32.
Krawiec was able to move to the No. 1 position in Pro Stock Motorcycle during the second qualifying session with his run of 6.859 at 196.65 on his Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson. He is currently third in the points battle and earned five bonus points in the two sessions.
“It was great to come off the truck with a good solid run and collect some little points,” said Krawiec. “With the points battle the way that is going on with the top three guys in the category it is going to be tough. There is no easy round out here, you need every point you can get and I’ve won championships with minimal points and lost them by as much as two and I know how valuable they are.”
Arana Jr. is second with his run of 6.863 at 195.93 with his father in third at 6.822 at 196.24. Points leader Smith is in the seventh position following his best run of 6.936 at 195.34.
Qualifying continues at the NHRA Toyota Nationals at 11:45 a.m. on Saturday.
This story was originally published on October 27, 2018. 
