There’s no more fitting a place for the sun to rise on the NHRA drag racing season than in the Sunshine State, where many of the top nitro teams in the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series are tearing up the Palm Beach International Raceway this week as they make preparations for upcoming start to the new season and a run at championship glory. After days of private testing, PBIR will open the gates on Friday and Saturday evening for the public and the media with side-by-side runs under the lights. Dragzine will be on hand bringing you a glimpse at all of the new-look race teams and paint schemes for the new year, so keep it right here for coverage and tons of photos over the next two days.
As always, a big shout out to the presenting sponsor our of year-long event coverage, Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels. For all of your high performance and racing tire and wheel needs, visit Mickey Thompson!
The final pair of the session was Doug Kalitta and David Grubnic with Kalitta kicking Shumacher back to second after running a fine 3.759 @ 328.30 MPH blast in the Mac Tools sponsored car. Grubnic’s 3.870 @ 271.08 MPH pass was eighth quick for the Optima Batteries car so far. 
Between session the drivers get to relax, mingle with fans and sigh some autographs. Courtney Force had a good crowd gathered around and was kind enough to stand still for this shot. Her 4.018 @ 322.73 MPH was the best of the night and a new Funny Car track record. We will see Sunday if she, or anyone else can break into the three second zone. 
Robert Hight was paired with teammate Courtney Force in a great side by side matchup. His 4.021 @ 318.24 put him second quick and showed the consistancy of the John Force Racing team based out of Yorba Linda, California. Image/s missing.
Fans often crowd around as the various teams warm up the cars but soon scatter as the nitro fumes are too much for most everyone without a mask. Brittany Force was fourth quick in the second session with a good 3.796 @ 324.36 MPH while paired with Clay Millican. 
Leah Pruett is another female driver moving up to Top Fuel with Dote Racing. She managed to 3.85's Saturday but lost traction on her final run in the second public session slowing to a 4.279 @ 188.07 MPH. Image/s missing.
Top Fuel rookie Chad Head put down a good 4.074 @ 313.51MPH pass moving over towards the wall on the top end and did a nice job getting it back to the center and getting shut down safely. That run was good for fifth in the final session of the night. 
John Force was the last Funny Car down and put up a 4.053 @ 308.35 MPH run taking third spot and putting John Force Racing in the top three spots in Funny Car. Doug Kalitta was again driving Morgan Lucas' ride putting up a 3.787 @ 322.58 MPH, good for third quick in the session for team Geico. David Grubnic again had to shut down early facing traction issues. He managed a 3.970 @ 225.79 on this run. Saturday’s PRO Winter Warmup has been cancelled due to rain.
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