NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

TOP FUEL Q3

Eight of the 14 cars that made runs in the session improved on their Friday bests, led by Tony Stewart, whose fine 3.704 was the quickest of the round and improved on his Q2 3.72. The biggest improvements came from the bottom of the field into the top as the quick eight entering the session was Will Smith's 3.786, and it ended up at 3.751 by Justin Ashley, who dropped from fourth to eighth after failing to improve.

Low qualifier Doug Kalitta made a decent lap of 3.774, but it was just the 10th-best of the frame; that's how good it was.

Points leader Shawn Langdon had the second-best pass, an improved 3.723 that carried him to the No. 3 spot behind Kalitta and Stewart.

"We just wanted to make a better run today," said Langdon. "We dropped a cylinder on the first pass yesterday and then spun the tires on the top end on the second, so it was important for us to get down the track today."

Josh Hart's 3.744 earned him the final session bonus point.

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FUNNY CAR Q3

Much as it was in Top Fuel, the best of the session wasn't good enough to get around the leader, but it did carry Alexis DeJoria to the No. 2 spot with a 3.892, behind only Ron Capps' 3.870. It was a major improvement for DeJoria, whose Friday best was just 4.23.

JR Todd was also impressive with a 3.916 that carried the DHL Toyota to the  No. 5 spot behind Capps, DeJoria, Austin Prock, and Jack Beckman. Neither Capps nor Prock nor Beckman improved on their Friday best.

Paul Lee is having a great qualifying outing, clocking his third straight three-second pass with a 3.934, his best of the meet, that sits seventh behind Chad Green's Friday 3.920. 

Capps, Todd, Lee, and Jack Beckman have all run nothing but three-second passes this weekend. Todd's Dickie Venables-tuned machine has been the most consistent Funny Car all year, completing nearly 70% of all of its qualifying and eliminations runs; Beckman's car is second at 68%.

Jordan Vandergriff, who won last weekend's Michigan race from the No. 16 qualifying spot, sits 15th right now. Bad luck or strategy? ;)

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PRO STOCK Q3

A trio of KB Titan cars dominated the session, led by second-generation sensation Cody Anderson, who earned his class license at this track prior to the season. Anderson's Camaro carried him to a 6.485, ahead of teammate Matt Latino (6.492) and Cody's father, Greg, who posted a 6.495.

The young Anderson has looked spectacular this weekend with consecutive passes of 6.493, 6.491, and then the 6.485. As good as that final pass was, it lifted him only to the No. 5 spot in the field, behind Matt Hartford (6.476), Dallas Glenn (6.478), and his father and Latino (both at 6.479).

Low qualifier Hartford didn't make a great run, slowing from his torrid Friday pace to a 6.512 that was only eighth-best of the session.

It takes a solid 6.490 to make the top half of the field.