MADISON, Ill. -- John Force topped Funny Car qualifying Friday night in the NHRA Midwest Nationals with a 4.022-second run at 319.52 mph in his Ford Mustang.
The 65-year-old Force leads the points standings with four events left in the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship. He has won a record 16 Funny Car season titles.
"We always know we can run better at night when conditions cool down," Force said. "I'm amazed that no one ran quicker. Jimmy [Prock, crew chief] said we'll run 06 or 07, but he always runs quicker than he thinks and it ran 02. So, it's exciting. It is my anniversary today and I told my wife, Laurie, that I was going to run low E.T. (elapsed time) tonight for her, and that's her anniversary present -- that and some roses."
Richie Crampton led in Top Fuel, Erica Enders-Stevens in Pro Stock, and Eddie Krawiec in Pro Stock Motorcycle.
Crampton had a 3.764 at 322.73 in his Morgan Lucas Racing-owned dragster. Enders-Stevens, the two-time defending champion in the event, finished at 6.513 at 212.90 in a Chevy Camaro, and Krawiec had a 6.824 at 196.44 on a Harley-Davidson.