Sat, 12 Oct 2019, 22:08 PM Torrence, Beckman, Enders and Johnson Land Top Spots in Qualifying

Courtesy of NHRA Communications Photo copyright 2019 NHRA/National Dragster At the NTK NHRA Carolina Nationals

Steve Torrence

CONCORD, N.C. - Current Top Fuel world champion and defending event winner Steve Torrence will start raceday from the top position for the fourth time this year after an impressive show in qualifying during the 12th annual NTK NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway.

Jack Beckman (Funny Car), Erica Enders (Pro Stock) and Steve Johnson (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are also No. 1 qualifiers in their respective categories at the third of six races in the 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship playoffs.

Torrence powered his way to the top spot with an impressive pass of 3.711-seconds at 325.53 mph in his Capco Contractors dragster to earn the 23rd No. 1 qualifier of his career. Leah Pritchett raced into second place after her run of 3.714 at 331.20. She is followed by Brittany Force who ran 3.730 at 321.04 to secure the third spot.

"We ran really well last night (Friday) and I'm proud of that run," said Torrence. "Richard Hogan (Crew Chief), Bobby Lagana (Crew Chief) and every one of them Capco boys have done a really great job at supporting me. I started off this countdown a little bit rocky. I drove like I'd never sat in one of these things before and they really had my back. When you've got confidence in your team and in your car, it makes you a better driver and sometimes you have to look inward to see that and reflect on it."

Reflecting on raceday tomorrow, Torrence said, "We've had a lot of success here and I'm looking forward to it. It's going to be some quick and fast times out there tomorrow. The track will take whatever you're gonna throw at it. You've got to be out here and ready for war."

Jack Beckman

Funny Car's Beckman went 3.873-seconds at 334.07 mph in his Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat to earn his second No. 1 qualifier of 2019 and 26th of his career, setting the track record for speed in the process. This is the first time that he will start this event from the top position.

"If Pomona (the final race of the season) ends up coming down to a three- or four-point championship, it's going to be who managed qualifying best," said Beckman. "And we got 13 points out of qualifying. That's pretty good. Anybody who tells you they don't count points either sucks at math or they're lying to you."

Sitting second in Funny Car qualifying is Robert Hight with a run of 3.878 at 334.07. Beckman's teammate Matt Hagan is in the No. 3 spot after running 3.880 at 331.69.

Erica Enders

In Pro Stock, Enders' Friday pass of 6.506 at 211.86 in her Melling Performance / Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro kept her in the top spot through Saturday. This marks her third consecutive No. 1 qualifier in the Countdown to the Championship. She also picked up her first win of the season two weeks ago in St. Louis. Her teammate Jeg Coughlin Jr. is in second place going into Sunday with his pass of 6.524 at 210.37 and Jason Line is third after running a 6.534 at 211.53.

"If we can continue the run we're on from St. Louis last weekend, I'd be really thrilled," said Enders, when she was interviewed by her fellow top qualifier Torrence in the NHRA media center. "I have a great hot rod underneath me and if I can just do my driving job there's no reason why we can't win."

Steve Johnson

Pro Stock Motorcycle's Johnson powered his way to the top of the ladder on his Steve Johnson Racing Suzuki with a pass of 6.786 at 196.70. This is his first No. 1 qualifier of the season and the fourth of his career.

Jerry Savoie sits in second after running 6.787 at 198.73. Andrew Hines rounds out the top three in Pro Stock Motorcycle with a run of 6.814 at 198.79.

In the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service, Todd Tutterow powered his '68 Camaro to the top qualifying spot with a pass of 5.744 at 251.30.

Eliminations for the NTK NHRA Carolina Nationals begin Sunday at 11:00 a.m.

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