With Labor Day weekend upon, it’s time once again for “the grandaddy of them all” as the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series converges on the hallowed grounds of the Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis for the 59th running of the Chevrolet Performance NHRA U.S. Nationals!

As always, a special thanks to the presenting sponsor of our same day event coverage, Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels!

Followers of our NMCA Muscle Car Nationals coverage will certainly recognize this car, as veteran Competition Eliminator ace Mike Depalma has stepped into the seat of Clint Hairston’s twin-turbo, small block-powered GTO this weekend. DePalma and the Hairston clan are running the car, which has been in the low 5.90’s in NMCA Pro Street trim, in the AA/AT category, and they’re currently the No. 1 qualifiers in Comp by a ton, going -0.926 under the class index with a monster 6.11 in qualifying yesterday.

The NHRA brought out a host of classic Gassers to the Lucas Oil Raceway, who will be putting on exciting exhibition laps all weekend long.

Californian Rick Houser, in the near lane, charged to an 8.50 in the final round of the HEMI Challenge to claim the $15,000 prize and, more importantly, the bragging rights of winning class at Indy, by defeating Stephen Hebert in the final.

Chris Holbrook claimed the Factory Stock Showdown prize in his Cobra Jet Mustang under the lights here at Indy, as final round opponent Dave Connolly, in the Victor Cagnazza-owned COPO Camaro in the near lane fouled out, handing the automatic win to the Michigan native.

Veteran sportsman racer Bill Torrence, Steve Torrence’s father, is making his Top Fuel debut this weekend after earning his license just over a week ago in a second Capco Contractors dragster. After one session, Torrence is No. 8 in the field with a 3.92.

Bob Tasca III put his Ford on the pole in Funny car with the quickest of four 4.08-second runs that are bunched at the top of the order, running 4.085 at 312 mph.

Even John Force has gotten in on the Snake & Mongoose Movie buzz, as he was seen applying a decal promoting the movie to his Castrol Mustang prior to his first qualifying shot this evening.

Pro Stock Motorcycle points leader Hector Arana Jr. broke on the starting line on his opening hit and could only watch as Matt Smith secured the provisional pole with a 7.010.

NMCA Pro Street racer Jim Widener, who recently scored his first victory in the former Tony Bischoff-driven mountain-motor Cougar in Chicago, pedaled his way onto the bump spot in his NHRA debut with a 6.32 at 225 mph.

Courtesy of NHRA Communications:

Friday’s results after the first one of five rounds of qualifying for the 59th annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway Park at Indianapolis, 18th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.  Qualifying will continue Saturday for Monday’s final eliminations.
 
 Top Fuel — 1. Brittany Force, 3.820 seconds, 313.44 mph; 2. Spencer Massey, 3.837, 316.38; 3. Doug Kalitta, 3.841, 311.13; 4. Tommy Johnson Jr., 3.845, 319.22; 5. Bob Vandergriff, 3.848, 304.39; 6.Terry McMillen, 3.863, 319.22; 7. Pat Dakin, 3.889, 273.94; 8. Billy Torrence, 3.924, 309.84; 9.Chris Karamesines, 4.021, 295.98; 10. Damien Harris, 4.142, 226.20; 11. Khalid alBalooshi, 4.272, 197.80; 12. Bruce Litton, 4.438, 183.59.
Not Qualified: 13. Clay Millican, 4.551, 171.66; 14. Shawn Langdon, 4.741, 156.06; 15. Antron Brown, 4.806, 155.60; 16. J.R. Todd, 4.863, 152.73; 17. T.J. Zizzo, 4.916, 147.12; 18. Sidnei Frigo, 4.963, 151.39; 19. Tony Schumacher, 5.062, 138.80; 20. David Grubnic, 5.153, 133.25; 21. Brandon Bernstein, 5.244, 130.42; 22. Leah Pruett, 5.324, 127.85; 23. Morgan Lucas, 5.682, 124.02; 24. Steve Torrence, 6.006, 105.14; 25. Cory McClenathan, 7.871, 76.00.
 
Funny Car — 1. Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 4.085, 312.28; 2. John Force, Mustang, 4.087, 309.70; 3. Courtney Force, Mustang, 4.088, 316.30; 4. Cruz Pedregon, Toyota Camry, 4.089, 300.13; 5. Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 4.102, 311.63; 6. Del Worsham, Camry, 4.108, 300.00; 7. Johnny Gray, Charger, 4.122, 307.44; 8. Chad Head, Camry, 4.128, 307.51; 9. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.130, 304.80; 10. Jack Beckman, Charger, 4.145, 306.53; 11. Ron Capps, Charger, 4.151, 304.60; 12. Robert Hight, Mustang, 4.166, 300.20.
Not Qualified: 13. Bob Bode, 4.517, 196.99; 14. Paul Lee, 5.517, 129.35; 15. Tony Pedregon, 6.595, 96.76; 16. Alexis DeJoria, 6.847, 97.91; 17. Blake Alexander, 7.072, 87.75; 18. Jeff Arend, 8.712, 67.80.
 
Pro Stock — 1. Allen Johnson, Dodge Avenger, 6.661, 207.02; 2. Shane Gray, Chevy Camaro, 6.665, 207.78; 3. Mike Edwards, Camaro, 6.669, 206.70; 4. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.675, 206.80; 5. V.
Gaines, Avenger, 6.676, 207.98; 6. Jason Line, Camaro, 6.688, 207.59; 7. Jeg Coughlin, Avenger, 6.688, 206.07; 8. Rickie Jones, Camaro, 6.694, 207.11; 9. Vincent Nobile, Avenger, 6.698, 206.45; 10. Mark Martino, Pontiac GXP, 6.712, 206.45; 11. Larry Morgan, Ford Mustang, 6.712, 205.88; 12. Greg Stanfield, Camaro, 6.714, 205.22.
Not Qualified: 13. Kurt Johnson, 6.716, 206.23; 14. Curt Steinbach, 6.747, 206.07; 15. Warren Johnson, 6.747, 205.41; 16. Matt Hartford, 6.748, 205.41; 17. Steve Kent, 6.777, 205.22; 18. Lewis Worden, 6.781, 204.51; 19. Paul Pittman, 6.866, 202.21; 20. Dave River, 6.909, 200.65; 21. Rodger Brogdon, 7.022, 164.97; 22. John Gaydosh Jr, 7.048, 193.82; 23. Chris McGaha, 15.546, 52.11.
 
Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Matt Smith, Buell, 7.010, 192.00; 2. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 7.017, 190.65; 3. John Hall, Buell, 7.029, 189.79; 4. Hector Arana, Buell, 7.034, 192.96; 5. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 7.039, 189.60; 6. LE Tonglet, Suzuki, 7.054, 190.32; 7. Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 7.056, 189.39; 8. Dawn Minturn, Suzuki, 7.061, 188.49; 9. Michael Ray, Buell, 7.065, 189.52; 10. Shawn Gann, Buell, 7.065, 188.31; 11. Angie Smith, Buell, 7.068, 189.07; 12. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 7.071, 189.90.
Not Qualified: 13. Jim Underdahl, 7.106, 189.15; 14. Craig Treble, 7.112, 188.89; 15. Adam Arana, 7.133, 190.73; 16. Scotty Pollacheck, 7.154, 187.39; 17. Andrew Hines, 7.157, 187.68; 18. Mike Berry, 7.189, 188.10; 19. Wesley Wells, 7.236, 185.87; 20. Joe DeSantis, 7.244, 184.22; 21. Freddie Camarena, 7.319, 185.56; 22. Redell Harris, 7.810, 166.09.

Pro Modified — 1. Rickie Smith, Chevy Camaro, 6.042, 240.51; 2. Von Smith, Camaro, 6.061, 236.75; 3. Eric Latino, Camaro, 6.086, 240.08; 4. Mike Janis, Camaro, 6.087, 238.09; 5. Mike Knowles, Camaro, 6.093, 240.72; 6. Tim Tindle, Camaro, 6.093, 203.83; 7. Troy Coughlin, Chevy Corvette, 6.151, 242.67; 8. Kevin Fiscus, Ford Mustang, 6.163, 239.14; 9. Mike Castellana, Camaro, 6.183, 237.42; 10. Kevin Rivenbark, Pontiac Firebird, 6.184, 230.84; 11. Chip King, Dodge Daytona, 6.206, 241.71; 12. Kenny Lang, Corvette, 6.225, 236.17; 13. Chris Juliano, Mustang, 6.261, 222.99; 14. Jason Hamstra, Mustang, 6.263, 231.40; 15. Steve Matusek, Mustang, 6.315, 225.56; 16. Jimmy Widener, Mercury Cougar, 6.324, 225.94.
Not Qualified: 17. Doug Winters, 6.325, 222.66; 18. Craig Cawte, 6.337, 228.31; 19. Harold Martin, 6.595, 218.19; 20. Bill Lutz, 6.734, 153.02; 21. Todd Tutterow, 6.931, 159.66; 22. Clint Satterfield, 8.237, 170.56; 23. Pete Farber, 11.220, 95.09; 24. Danny Rowe, 12.170, 83.55.

Brittany Force was the leader in the clubhouse after the first session of Top Fuel qualifying as her 3.820 paced the 25-car field. Although there’s lots of qualifying to be run, if Force’s effort holds, it would be her first career No. 1 qualifier.

Brittany Force continued to show rapid improvement in her rookie season by racing to the qualifying lead in Top Fuel Friday at the 59th annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis.
 
Bob Tasca III (Funny Car), Allen Johnson (Pro Stock) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were qualifying leaders at the world’s most prestigious drag race, the 18th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Series.

Force, the daughter of NHRA Funny Car icon John Force, powered her 8,000-horsepower Castrol Edge dragster to a leading performance of 3.820 seconds at 313.44 mph. If Force’s performance holds, it would be her first career No. 1 qualifying position. Force’s sister Courtney earned her first No. 1 qualifying position in Funny Car a year ago during her rookie season at the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals.
 
Qualifying for the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event continues Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m., and Sunday at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Eliminations are set for Monday at 11 a.m. The Traxxas Nitro Shootout in Top Fuel also takes place on Saturday, with the Funny Car Traxxas Nitro Shootout slated for Sunday.
 
“I’m so excited and we’re definitely feeling good right now,” said Force, who will meet points leader Shawn Langdon in the first round of the Traxxas Shootout on Saturday. “My guys have worked so hard and we’ve certainly struggled and a had a lot of ups and downs this year, but to get this first (provisional) No. 1 I’m so excited about it.”
 
Spencer Massey, currently second in points and the defending Traxxas Nitro Shootout winner, went to second with a 3.837 at 316.38 in his Battery Extender/Schumacher Electric dragster. Doug Kalitta’s 3.841 at 311.13 in his Mac Tools dragster put him in the third position.
 
“It’s our rookie season, but we’re fighting to get that first win and hopefully we can do it at the biggest race of the year,” Force said. “It’s tough to stay motivated when you’re struggling, but the guys are working hard, we’ve gotten a lot of support and it’s starting to pay off.”
 
Tasca paced the Funny Car category with a 4.085 at 312.28 in his 8,000-horsepower Motorcraft/Quick Lane Shelby Ford Mustang. Tasca, who is seeking his first win of 2013, will claim his first No. 1 qualifier of the year and fourth in his career if the run holds. The strong pass also helped Tasca’s chances for the Countdown to the Championship. Tasca, who is seeking his first Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals victory, is currently ninth in points.
 
“The car did exactly what we wanted today and that was great to see,” Tasca said. “Getting those three bonus points for making the best run that session was big. We want to keep getting those throughout the weekend, but that run also gives us some freedom to take a big swing at it (Saturday).”

 
John Force took his Castrol GTX Mustang to the second spot with a 4.087 at 309.70 while his daughter Courtney powered to the third spot with a 4.088 at 316.30 in her Traxxas Mustang. Cruz Pedregon’s 4.089 at 300.13 in his Snap-on Toyota Camry was the only other Funny Car to dip into the 4.0-zone on Friday.
 
“I don’t think that number is going to stick, so we’re definitely going to have to step up,” Tasca said. “But we’ve got a car that is capable of running three seconds and it’s also able to go down a hot, sticky track and I’ve never had a car like that. I’m having fun and we go to every race to win. That’s what it takes to be a championship contender and I’ve never had a team or a car as good as this.”
 

Only Shane Gray with his stout 6.665 was able to break up the Allen Johnson and Mike Edwards show, as Johnson took his Mopar to the top with a 6.661 while Edwards settle for third with his 6.669.

In Pro Stock, defending world champ Johnson took command during the lone qualifying session on Friday, running 6.661 at 207.02 in his Team Mopar Dodge Avenger. If it holds, it would be the third No. 1 qualifying position this season and 31st of his career. Johnson is seeking his first Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals victory and is currently second in points.
 
“We definitely made the perfect run in the first session in these conditions,” Johnson said. “We’ve got a really good set-up for these conditions and it just absolutely made a perfect run. It didn’t have much left in it.”
 
Shane Gray is currently qualified second in his Gray Motorsports Chevy Camaro after going 6.665 at 207.78. Points leader and five-time 2013 winner Mike Edwards took his Interstate Batteries/I Am Second Camaro to third after his run of 6.669 at 209.60. With his qualifying pass Edwards also secured the No. 1 seed in the Countdown to the Championship.
 
“Conditions for (Saturday) are supposed to be similar to today so it will be tough to improve,” Johnson said. “Winning this event is definitely on my bucket list. It’s right up there with winning the championship. It would certainly be really special.”
 
Smith ran a 7.010 at 192 in his Viper Motorcycle Company Racing Buell to take the initial top spot in Pro Stock Motorcycle. Should that run maintain the top spot, it would be the fourth No. 1 qualifier for Smith, who is currently second in points.

Smith won the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals in 2006 and would like nothing more than to pick up his second win at Indy seven years later.
 
“We were pretty happy with how it went but it definitely wasn’t a perfect run,” Smith said. “We’ll take it, though, and we’ll go into (Saturday) and the rest of the weekend feeling good.”
 
Steve Johnson, who is fighting to stay in the 10th position in the Countdown to the Championship, went 7.017 at 190.65 on his Suzuki to surge to second. John Hall is currently third on his Viper Motorcycle Company Racing Buell after his pass of 7.029 at 189.79. Hall and Scotty Pollacheck also clinched their positions in the Countdown to the Championship after making a qualifying run, leaving only four spots remaining.
 
“We were pretty impressed with how it ran in the back half of the run, so we can’t complain,” Smith said. “I just wanted to get that one run down, so I’ve got that data for these conditions and we’ll be ready to roll for the rest of qualifying and eliminations.”