NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE Q1

We'd like to say it was a stark difference from last year, when qualifying kicked off at the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals, but dark clouds, even though no rain fell from them (yet - a brief break was taken halfway through due to some sprinkles), still plagued the historic dragstrip as Pro Stock Motorcycle took to the track. 

Championship hopefuel Gaige Herrera came out and made a statement that set the tone for the next couple of days. He recorded a 1.01 60-foot time and a 6.673 to out-qualify the field by seven one-hundredths of a second and take the provisional No. 1 spot. He also collected the bonus points he very much needed. Herrera's job in qualifying is to keep his teammate Richard Gadson's points lead under 60.

Meanwhile, Gadson made no slouch of a run and went to provisional no. 2 with a 6.745 and grabbed three points for his efforts of 6.745 at 201.91.

Also collecting points is Joey Gladstone, who is the fill-in driver for Matt Smith Racing's Jianna Evaristo, who announced she is pregnant earlier this season and Matt Smith.

Lastly, Alex Laughlin, who became the first driver to earn a competition license in all four NHRA Pro categories, made his debut but did not record the number he was looking for - a 16.523 at 46.05 mph.

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PRO STOCK Q1

The mission for Matt Hartford is simple this weekend: to keep Dallas Glenn's lead under 90 points. However, the way Glenn is driving will prove to be a bit difficult. Glenn dropped a 6.512 to take the provisional no. 1 and four bonus points in Q1.

"The pressure is off from last year, and if we keep going up and they're ripping off runs like that, there won't be anything that anyone can do," Glenn stated confidently at the top end after his run.

Hartford landed in third with his run of 6.535 at 209.95 mph, and grabbed two points. Splitting the two championship contenders on the ladder is Matt Latino (6.532), who has come a long way during his sophomore year of driving Pro Stock.

Taking the final bonus qualifying points is Deric Kramer, who was the only other driver to dip into the 6.53s, with his 6.538.

Someone's name who is typically synonymous with a championship is Greg Anderson. But this year, Anderson isn't in contention and ran into tire shake in round one of qualifying and landed at the bottom of the qualifying sheet (no. 14). 

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