MADISON, Ill. -- John Force topped Funny Car qualifying Friday night in the NHRA Midwest Nationals with a 4.022-second run at 319.52 mph in his Ford Mustang.
The 65-year-old Force leads the points standings with four events left in the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship. He has won a record 16 Funny Car season titles.
''We always know we can run better at night when conditions cool down,'' Force said. ''I'm amazed that no one ran quicker. Jimmy (Prock, crew chief) said we'll run 06 or 07, but he always runs quicker than he thinks and it ran 02. So, it's exciting. It is my anniversary today and I told my wife, Laurie, that I was going to run low E.T. (elapsed time) tonight for her, and that's her anniversary present - that and some roses.''
Richie Crampton led in Top Fuel, Erica Enders-Stevens in Pro Stock, and Eddie Krawiec in Pro Stock Motorcycle.
Crampton had a 3.764 at 322.73 in his Morgan Lucas Racing-owned dragster. Enders-Stevens, the two-time defending champion in the event, finished at 6.513 at 212.90 in a Chevy Camaro, and Krawiec had a 6.824 at 196.44 on a Harley-Davidson.
