CHANDLER, Ariz. (AP) Points leader Ron Capps took the No. 1 qualifying position in Funny Car on Saturday at the CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals.
Coming off a Winternationals win two weeks ago in Pomona, Capps set a track record with a 3.925 second pass at 320.50 mph in his Dodge Charger, just .005 of a second better than Courtney Force's 3.930 run on Friday. It is the 18th No. 1 of his career and third at this event.
''We're not so naive to think this can keep up,'' Capps said. "There's too good of competition. We'll just take it, we'll take the wins and this is a great No. 1 qualifier and this sets us up great for Sunday.''
Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel) and Bo Butner (Pro Stock) also will lead their categories into Sunday's 11 a.m. eliminations as No. 1 qualifiers.
Kalitta powered his Kalitta Motorsports dragster to a 3.741 at 320.74 in the final round of qualifying to earn his 44th No. 1 and his fourth at Wild Horse Pass Motor Sports Park, holding off rival Antron Brown, whose improved time of 3.760 at 322.65 wasn't enough as he sits in the second spot.
Butner claimed his first career No. 1 qualifying position in Pro Stock with his pass of 6.618 at 208.88 in a Chevy Camaro from Friday. Butner teammates Jason Line and Greg Anderson qualified second and third in their Camaros.
