KENT, Wash. (AP) Jack Beckman led Funny Car qualifying Friday night in the NHRA Northwest Nationals in his bid to sweep the Western Swing.
Beckman had the first three-second Funny Car run in Pacific Raceways history with a 3.997 at 314.27 mph his Dodge Charger R/T during the final session. He won the previous two events in Colorado and California to move into position to become the second Funny Car driver and eighth overall to sweep the three events.
''I just keep riding the wave and it keeps lasting longer and longer,'' said Beckman, a five-time winner this season. ''I did not do a good job first session. Our car was wicked fast early. I let it get out of the groove and it smoked the tires. Crew Chief Jimmy Prock backed the car down a little bit because we didn't have the advantage of running last in the second session.
Dave Connolly led in Top Fuel, and Jeg Coughlin topped the Pro Stock field. Connolly had a track-record run of 3.751 at 327.19, and Coughlin also broke the track mark with a 6.501 at 212.59 in a Chevrolet Camaro.
