(Adam Cranmer photo)

J.R. Todd, who debuted a new chassis this weekend, had a rough Friday, failing to record a run that pleased either team owner Connie Kalitta or crew chief Rob Flynn. The SealMaster dragster improved on Saturday and the team qualified in the number 10 position.

On Sunday Todd turned in a 3.751/324.36 to get past Steve Torrence’s 3.781/324.05 in the first round, but fell to tire smoke in the second against Clay Millican.

“We definitely learned a lot about this new chassis this weekend,” Todd said. “This SealMaster Toyota really had a strong pass in the first round today and it makes me very excited as we advance throughout the season. Obviously, we wanted more today, but I am confident in what we will have in Vegas.”

(Steve Gruenwald photo)

The common cold had Lucas Oil Top Fuel dragster driver Richie Crampton feeling poorly, but an uncommon pass in the final qualifying session of on Saturday put a smile on his face. Crampton ripped down the 1,000 feet with a run of 3.698 seconds at 319.37 mph, breaking the track record and snaring the No. 1 qualifying spot for final eliminations.

"We struggled a bit yesterday and were looking forward to the overcast conditions today because we all know what (crew chief) Aaron Brooks can do when the weather is like that," Crampton said. "To do what we did in the first qualifying session today and then to do another 3.60 was very cool. Hat's off to Aaron Brooks and the Lucas Oil guys."

The pass was the fifth quickest in Top Fuel history and was the first time a driver went quicker than 3.7 seconds on a track other than Brainerd International Raceway.