JOLIET, Illinois -- During Thursday’s pre-race media day, several NHRA drivers promised that speeds would be record-setting high and elapsed times also record-setting low in this weekend’s K&N Filters Route 66 NHRA Nationals at Route 66 Raceway.
They weren’t kidding, based upon Friday’s two rounds of qualifying. A total of five Route 66 track records fell, with the promise that some new national records may be in the offing during Saturday’s final two rounds of qualifying or during Sunday’s four rounds of final eliminations.
In Top Fuel, Brittany Force gave herself a very memorable 30th birthday present, annihilating the track mark with a run of 3.692 seconds -- the fourth-quickest pass in Top Fuel history -- at 325.69 mph.
“I was shocked that we ran that just because it was such a big jump from our first run,” Force said. “Absolutely the best birthday present ever. It couldn’t have made this day any better.”
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The third of four daughters of 16-time Funny Car champion John Force now owns two of the four quickest runs in Top Fuel history: She ran a national record 3.676 second effort in May at Heartland Park Topeka in Kansas.
This has definitely been a breakout season for the birthday girl, who has already been tuned to two wins -- and potentially a third on Sunday -- by legendary tuner and 15-time champion team owner Alan Johnson.
Meanwhile, reigning points leader Doug Kalitta set a Top Fuel track speed record with a pass of 330.55 mph.
In Funny Car, Ron Capps set a track ET mark (3.888 seconds), while Tim Wilkerson roared to a track speed record of 330.23 mph. In addition, there were four other drivers that ran 3.95 seconds or under, while former Funny Car champ Matt Hagan also exceeded 330 mph (330.07 mph), followed by Courtney Force (328.06).
“Man I am loving this right now, it is so much fun,” said Capps, the series points leader. “I am so proud of [crew chief] Rahn Tobler and what we’ve done. When we left Topeka we were close, but Rahn and the guys worked so hard between races to give us what we’ve needed and in New Hampshire it just showed and we’ve been able to keep it going from there.”
In Pro Stock, there were no track records set, but ET’s and MPH’s were stout nonetheless. Shane Gray took the provisional No. 1 qualifier spot with a 6.578 second ET at 209.43 mph. Bo Butner qualified No. 2 (6.596 seconds) with a field best speed of 210.21 mph, the only driver to break the 210 mph mark.
“I think we are catching up, we just need to find the consistency to go and repeat what we did tonight (on Saturday),” Gray said. “It showed tonight that we’ve got it. We’re capable. ... Everything is starting to come around and it’s actually fun to be at the race track.”
And in Pro Stock Motorcycle, Matt Smith set a new ET track record (6.842 seconds) at 195.51 mph. Chip Ellis had the fastest speed at 196.39 mph, with Hector Arana right behind at 196.36 mph, and three other drivers over 195 mph: LE Tonglet (195.82 mph), Steve Johnson (195.76 mph) and Michael Phillips (195.22).
“We’ve had a lot of gremlins and bugs that have bit us this year,” Smith said. “When we qualify, we are fast. We’ve been very, very good when we’ve gone down the track and hopefully it will stand up and be No. 1 (Saturday).”
Qualifying resumes Saturday at 4:15 p.m. ET with two final rounds scheduled for all four pro classes.