ST. LOUIS (Sept. 21, 2018) — Courtney Force and her Advance Auto Parts Funny Car team seized the provisional No. 1 qualifying position Friday night at the AAA Missouri NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway Motorsports Park, showcasing their dominance in the Funny Car class. The stellar performance highlighted a strong day for John Force Racing, with Robert Hight positioned sixth and John Force in ninth in Funny Car, while Brittany Force landed 14th in Top Fuel after the first day of qualifying.
In the initial qualifying session, Courtney Force, currently holding third place in the Funny Car points standings, demonstrated the power of her Advance Auto Parts Funny Car. Despite running on fewer than all cylinders, she clocked a 4.120-second pass at 309.20 mph. However, it was under the Friday night lights that Force truly unleashed the potential of her Chevy Camaro. She roared down the track in a breathtaking 3.881 seconds at a speed of 331.04 mph. This impressive run not only earned her three valuable bonus points but also propelled her to the top of the Funny Car qualifying ladder as they head into Saturday’s sessions.
“I definitely anticipated other teams challenging our position given the excellent track conditions. Our Q1 run wasn’t ideal as we dropped some cylinders early on. Being among the first cars in Q2 allowed us to demonstrate the track’s capability,” Force explained, aiming for her first No. 1 qualifier title at Gateway Motorsports Park. “Honestly, I was uncertain if our 3.881 would hold up. But my crew chief, Brian Corradi, hinted that there’s even more performance available. That’s incredibly encouraging for the potential of our hot rod this weekend. For our Advance Auto Parts team, securing those bonus points is crucial, especially after our early exit in Reading. It’s a fantastic way to kick off the weekend here at Gateway Motorsports Park.”
Alt text: Courtney Force expertly maneuvers her vibrant Advance Auto Parts Funny Car during a qualifying run at Gateway Motorsports Park, showcasing the speed and power of her Chevy Camaro.
Robert Hight, driving the AAA Missouri team Funny Car, carried forward his momentum from Reading, Pa., where he delivered a series of near-perfect runs on race day. He launched into Friday afternoon’s session with a strong 3.957-second pass at 319.83 mph straight off the trailer. This run was the quickest of the round, securing three valuable bonus points for his team. The day continued positively for the defending world champions as they clocked a solid 3.925-second run at 325.37 mph under the lights at Gateway Motorsports Park, positioning them comfortably in the No. 6 qualifying spot.
“We witnessed Courtney’s 3.88 run and understood the favorable conditions. We were in the right lane, which can be a bit challenging. The positive takeaway is that we posted a respectable number and climbed into the top half of the qualifiers. We snagged three bonus points in the first session and were aiming for more in the second,” Hight commented. “Conditions are expected to be as good, if not better, tomorrow. I have immense confidence in the performance of this Auto Club Camaro. I believe we can definitely step up our game tomorrow.”
Alt text: In a dynamic track shot, Robert Hight’s AAA Missouri Funny Car speeds down the Gateway Motorsports Park dragstrip during NHRA qualifying, displaying impressive velocity.
John Force, piloting the PEAK Coolant and Motor Oil Chevrolet Camaro Funny Car, rebounded impressively after an early parachute deployment mishap in the first qualifying session. He achieved a robust 3.954-second run at 327.82 mph during the night session, securing the No. 9 position.
“We made two solid runs today. In the first run, we were on track for a great time, but unfortunately, we had a parachute issue. In the second run, our priority was to secure a qualifying spot and position ourselves to be aggressive tomorrow,” Force stated. “I believe I have a really competitive race car. I’m excited for tomorrow’s qualifying sessions and race day. These guys are working tirelessly, and I’m ready to do my part.”
Brittany Force, driving the Advance Auto Parts Monster Energy dragster, began her day with a 3.835-second pass at 317.72 mph, placing her in the No. 14 position. With header flames blazing, the defending world champion drove her dragster to a 3.890 run at 307.02 mph in the second session.
“This Advance Auto Parts Monster Energy team made two decent runs today, but we know there’s definitely room for improvement tomorrow. Our chances will improve as the temperature cools down,” Force said. “Our plan is to come out and make two more strong runs and really elevate our performance. We aim to climb into the top half of the field and get fully prepared for race day.”
Alt text: Brittany Force powers her Advance Auto Parts Monster Energy dragster, flames erupting from the headers, during a fast-paced qualifying session at the NHRA Midwest Nationals.
Qualifying at the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals continues with the final two sessions scheduled for Saturday at 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Central Time. Eliminations at Gateway Motorsports Park are set to begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday.
