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Sat, 01 Oct 2022, 22:25 PM

Hight, Torrence, Koretsky and M. Smith Qualify No. 1 in Front of Sellout Crowd

Courtesy of NHRA Communications
Photo copyright 2022 NHRA/National Dragster

At NHRA Midwest Nationals

Robert Hight
MADISON, Ill. -- On the strength of the fastest Funny Car run since 2019, points leader Robert Hight held on to the No. 1 qualifiying position in front of a sellout crowd on Saturday at World Wide Technology Raceway during the 11th annual NHRA Midwest Nationals.

Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Kyle Koretsky (Pro Stock) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all qualified No. 1 at the third of six races in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship.

The NHRA and officials at World Wide Technology Raceway also announced a sellout crowd during Saturday's racing action, as the passionate fanbase packed the track to close out qualifying in St. Louis. It is the seventh sellout crowd for the NHRA this season.

"Once again, our race fans in St. Louis and the Metro East delivered," said Chris Blair, World Wide Technology Raceway's Executive Vice President and General Manager.

"As we've demonstrated time and again, they love NHRA drag racing as well as the other major events we host at World Wide Technology Raceway. This weekend is magical because it has 10 years of date equity, perfect weather, and thousands of loyal enthusiasts. World Wide Technology Raceway is the greatest comeback story in the history of sports venues for one reason: We have the best racing fans on the planet."

Hight's pass of 3.853-seconds at 336.32 mph from Friday in his 11,000-horsepower Chevrolet Camaro SS held up during the final two sessions on Saturday, giving the three-time world champ his fifth No. 1 spot this season and 76th in his career. It was also the fastest run in the class in three years as Hight aims for his eighth victory of the season on Sunday.

"That run last night, I'm glad it stuck and I'm really proud of the guys," Hight said. "I love being here in St. Louis and there's nothing like seeing the stands full. There's not any better fans than here and we're going to put on a great show for them tomorrow. That shows you NHRA drag racing is exciting and hopefully we'll have a great crowd tomorrow. It's been crunch time all year long and we've had big battles every weekend. You've got to be on our game on the starting line and your car has to be right."

John Force qualified second with a 3.853 at 334.15 and defending world champ Ron Capps, who won last weekend in Charlotte, moved to third to close out the day with a 3.863 at 331.94.

Steve Torrence
Four-time Top Fuel defending world champ Torrence clinched his third No. 1 this season in his dragster, thanks to Friday's run of 3.655 at 327.43 in his 11,000-horsepower Capco Contractors dragster. That was a season-best run for the defending event winner, who put together a pair of good runs on Saturday as well. That gave him plenty of bonus qualifying points heading into eliminations, where he'll open the day against Buddy Hull and will look to make up some major ground in the loaded category.

"I'm looking forward to going into race day tomorrow. We've got good momentum. The car is running well, and we will be excited to see what we can do," Torrence said. "It's an opportunity for us to capitalize. We need to be there to try to capitalize on things the best we can. We've been working pretty diligently to try to get this thing turned around and in the direction that we want it to go, and that is what we have been focused on."

Josh Hart improved to the second spot on the final pass of the day, going 3.667 at 333.33 and Shawn Langdon took the third spot after a pass of 3.679 at 329.02. Points leader Justin Ashley qualified seventh with a 3.698.

Kyle Koretsky
Koretsky got pushed on Saturday in Pro Stock, but he was up for the challenge, improving to a 6.510 at 211.00 in his Lucas Oil Camaro to earn his second No. 1 qualifier during the 2022 campaign. His KB Racing teammate Greg Anderson, the defending world champion, ran an identical 6.510, but Koretsky was slightly faster to take the top spot into eliminations. Koretsky, who is currently fifth in points, will try to pick up his first win of the season and gain some ground on points leader Erica Enders.

"We're in the Countdown and now's the time to get your ducks in a row and make every run as clean as possible. I think that's what we've done this weekend and we'll be good for eliminations tomorrow," Koretsky said. "This is where it counts and every point counts, and consistency also counts. Our guys are digging deep and we're chasing them hard. We're definitely not going to give up."

Anderson qualified second, going 6.510 at 210.97, while last week's winner Aaron Stanfield was right behind in third with a 6.511 at 211.33. Enders took fourth with her 6.511 at 210.34.

Matt Smith
In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Smith's track-record run of 6.709 at 202.82 from Friday on his Denso Auto Parts Buell held up, giving the defending world champ his fourth top spot this year and the 51st in his career. It was also a career-best run for the five-time world champ, who takes plenty of momentum into eliminations. Smith will look to jump back in the points lead on Sunday after falling in the second round last weekend in Charlotte. Should that happen, it would mean the points lead would change for the sixth straight race in the class.

"I think we have the best bike out here," Smith said. "All in all, this Denso bike is fast and mean, and if I can do my job on Sunday, we can turn on four win lights tomorrow. That's our goal, but tomorrow is a big day and hopefully we can do our job."

Eliminations for the NHRA Midwest Nationals begin at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday at World Wide Technology Raceway.