Clay Millican leads NHRA Top Fuel qualifying in Houston

Clay Millican leads NHRA Top Fuel qualifying in Houston

Published Apr. 22, 2017 11:50 a.m. ET

BAYTOWN, Texas (AP) -- Clay Millican powered his Top Fuel dragster to the qualifying lead Friday at the 30th annual Spring Nationals at Royal Purple Raceway in Baytown, Texas.

Millican, who is still searching for his first NHRA Top Fuel victory, set the track elapsed time record with his 3.722-second run at 325.69 mph during the second qualifying session.

"I got to do my favorite thing and go out there and stomp on the loud pedal," Millican said. "I didn't expect to go No. 1; I really didn't. I hope it's a typical Houston day tomorrow at 100 degrees and we stay No. 1."

Courtney Force (Funny Car) and Jeg Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock) were also provisional leaders in their respective categories at the fifth of 24 events on the season schedule.

Force set both ends of the track record with her 3.851 run at 330.23 during the second qualifying session in her Chevy Camaro SS Funny Car. Defending world champion Ron Capps qualified second with a 3.884 at 326.56.

In Pro Stock, Coughlin Jr. raced his Chevy Camaro to the qualifying lead with a 6.557 pass at 210.70 in the second round. Coughlin Jr. is in pursuit of his first No. 1 qualifier since the 2014 Las Vegas spring race. Bo Butner is in the No. 2 spot with a 6.560 at 210.80.

Qualifying continues Saturday.

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