Bob Vandergriff and Doug Kalitta had a good race with Vandergriff getting the win with a 3.825/322.04 to Kalitta’s slowing 3.844 at just 318.92. Other Kalitta driver David Grubnic coasted his Top Fueler to a 12.883/36.99 while Tony “the Sarge” Schumacher scooted to a 3.810/322.88 for the win in his canopy-equipped fueler.

Two more DSR regulars were up next with Antron Brown running a 3.815/324.20 to Spencer Massey’s 3.812/322.27. (Adam Cranmer photo)

The last Fueler out was Hillary Will making a return after a long absence from the driver’s seat. She eased the Dote Family Racing Fueler to a 5.465/118.27 lap.

The fans were treated to a second session of qualifying Friday night. Many of the Top Fuel teams had issues getting down a tricky track but Antron Brown, Spencer Massey, and Bob Vandergriff made good laps in the 3.70/3.80 ET range with Brown the quickest of the evening with a 3.794 at 323.27 mph.

Courtney Force  (Adams Cranmer photo)

The final session for F/C’s yielded the most impressive run of the night when Jack Beckman and crew chief Rahn Tobler produced a stunning 4.037-second, 312.35-mph. That was Beckman’s career best ET. 

"My job is to not screw up Rahn's tune-up," said Beckman, who was runner-up to Hagan in last year's NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series standings.

NHRA Rookie of the Year competitors Alexis DeJoria and Courtney Force had issues all weekend long, which isn’t unusual for a brand new driver/tuner combination. Funny Car qualifying saw Robert Hight leading the wars with a 4.056/306.33 mph lap.