Fri, 03 Sep 2021, 22:56 PM B. Force, J. Force, Koretsky and Krawiec Claim Provisional No. 1 Spots at Dodge//SRT NHRA U.S. Nationals

Courtesy of NHRA Communications Photo copyright 2021 NHRA/National Dragster

Brittany Force

BROWNSBURG, Ind. - The Force family dominated at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis on Friday, as both Brittany and John Force powered to the provisional No. 1 qualifying positions in Top Fuel and Funny Car, respectively, at the biggest race of the season, the 67th annual Dodge//SRT NHRA U.S. Nationals.

Kyle Koretsky (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are also the provisional No. 1 qualifiers at the 13th event of the 2021 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season. It is also the final race of the NHRA regular season before the Countdown to the Championship playoffs begin.

B. Force claimed the top spot on Friday in Top Fuel by going 3.684-seconds at 334.57 mph in her 11,000-horsepower Monster Energy dragster to continue her incredible run in qualifying. If it holds, it would give the former world champ her sixth straight No. 1 qualifier and eighth during her banner season. Earlier this year, the father and daughter Force won on the same weekend to become the first father-daughter winner on the same day in NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series history, and B. Force would love to see it happen again on drag racing's grandest stage.

"It says a lot about this team," B. Force said. "We want No. 1 qualifiers and we want to win on raceday. We want to do it here at the biggest race of the season. I love this place and we want to get this win. There's so much history behind this race and winning here is the one thing every driver wants to do. I've been chasing the Indy win and we want to come out here and do it this weekend."

Points leader and three-time defending world champ Steve Torrence clocked a run of 3.688 at 329.50 to sit second, while Doug Kalitta is third after going 3.751 at 317.05. J. Force raced to No. 1 in Funny Car with a run of 3.877 at 330.72 in his 11,000-horsepower PEAK Chevrolet Camaro. He is after his second No. 1 spot this year and 162nd in his legendary career. Another Indy victory could also put him back in the points lead at the key time of the season, and Force loved the 330-mph rush of running at the Big Go under the lights.

John Force

"I've always loved running here at night," J. Force said. "Daniel Hood does a great job with my car. He's a smart guy and he really knows what he's doing. It's a great night at Indy and I'm really proud of Brittany. We're just doing really well together. When I go down there in the dark, I get so pumped up in there. I really just love getting in the car."

Bob Tasca III ran a 3.889 at 332.67 to qualify in the second position, while Force's teammate, Robert Hight, went 3.889 at 329.67 to sit third. Points leader Matt Hagan tested positive for COVID-19 and has withdrawn from competition this weekend. Veteran Tommy Johnson Jr. will be driving the team's car this weekend.

Kyle Koretsky

Continuing his late-season surge, Pro Stock rising star Kyle Koretsky made the top run in the class on Friday, taking the No. 1 spot in his Lucas Oil Chevrolet Camaro with a run of 6.572 at 208.07. Koretsky, currently sixth in points, was the provisional No. 1 qualifier two races ago in Topeka, but it didn't hold up as the second-year driver is seeking his first No. 1 qualifier of his young career and his first victory as well. Troy Coughlin Jr., who was the top qualifier in Topeka, is second after the opening session with a run of 6.584 at 206.57. Defending world champ and U.S. Nationals winner Erica Enders went 6.588 to 206.59 to put her third, while points leader Greg Anderson is seventh with his run of 6.607 at 207.24.

Eddie Krawiec

Looking to get his 2021 season going at the right time, Eddie Krawiec got off to a great start on Friday in Pro Stock Motorcycle, jumping to the top spot on his Vance & Hines Buell with a run of 6.826 at 199.40. If it holds, Krawiec would pick up his first No. 1 qualifier of the season and 49th in his career. Currently eighth in points and looking for his first win of the season before the Countdown to the Championship, Krawiec impressed on Friday with his standout run. Steve Johnson is currently qualified second with his run of 6.860 at 196.56 and Scotty Pollacheck, the defending U.S. Nationals winner, is third after going 6.866 at 197.74. Points leader Matt Smith went 6.892 at 200.17 to sit in the sixth spot.

Qualifying continues at 12:00 p.m. ET on Saturday at the Dodge//SRT NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis.

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