Ashley Force earns No. 1 qualifier in NHRA

SONOMA, Calif. — Ashley Force earned her first career No. 1 qualifier Saturday at the NHRA’s FRAM-Autolite Nationals at Infineon Raceway.

The 25-year old daughter of NHRA great John Force had her pass of 4.096 seconds at a top speed of 301.60 mph in her Castrol GTX Ford Mustang from Friday night hold up on Saturday.

She will meet No. 16 qualifier Tommy Johnson Jr. in Sunday’s eliminations. Force earned her first career victory at Atlanta in April.

The other No. 1 qualifiers were Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Mike Edwards (Pro Stock) and Karen Stoffer (Pro Stock Motorcycle). It’s the second time in NHRA history that two women qualified No. 1 at the same race. The first pair were Melanie Troxel in Top Fuel and Erica Enders in Pro Stock at Topeka 2006.

The first career No. 1 qualifier for Force came in her 36th career race, 23 better than her father, John, who needed 59 races to earn his first career No. 1 qualifier (Baton Rouge, 1986).

After Saturday’s qualifying; eliminations Sunday

At Infineon Raceway

Sonoma, Calif.

Top Fuel

1. Antron Brown, 3.805 seconds, 316.45 mph., vs. 16. Steven Chrisman, 4.287, 273.83. 2. Tony Schumacher, 3.813, 314.09, vs. 15. Doug Kalitta, 4.154, 309.06. 3. Brandon Bernstein, 3.821, 310.98, vs. 14. J.R. Todd, 4.046, 309.77. 4. Doug Herbert, 3.839, 309.91, vs. 13. Cory McClenathan, 3.988, 301.67. 5. David Grubnic, 3.844, 311.77, vs. 12. Hillary Will, 3.898, 308.57. 6. Troy Buff, 3.845, 296.63, vs. 11. Steve Torrence, 3.888, 302.28. 7. Rod Fuller, 3.860, 311.20, vs. 10. Morgan Lucas, 3.868, 307.93. 8. Bob Vandergriff, 3.863, 305.36, vs. 9. Larry Dixon, 3.865, 309.56.

Funny Car

1. Ashley Force, Ford Mustang, 4.096, 301.60, vs. 16. Tommy Johnson Jr., Dodge Charger, 4.327, 286.38. 2. Tony Pedregon, Chevy Impala, 4.101, 299.80, vs. 15. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 4.276, 282.72. 3. Cruz Pedregon, Toyota Solara, 4.110, 300.53, vs. 14. Mike Neff, Mustang, 4.238, 290.51. 4. John Force, Mustang, 4.119, 298.80, vs. 13. Jack Beckman, Charger, 4.220, 292.52. 5. Ron Capps, Charger, 4.121, 292.77, vs. 12. Gary Densham, Impala, 4.205, 287.41. 6. Del Worsham, Impala, 4.132, 295.98, vs. 11. Robert Hight, Mustang, 4.194, 289.57. 7. Jerry Toliver, Charger, 4.136, 298.34, vs. 10. Melanie Troxel, Charger, 4.156, 297.29. 8. Tim Wilkerson, Impala, 4.146, 295.40, vs. 9. Gary Scelzi, Charger, 4.152, 297.42.

Did Not Qualify: 17. Tony Bartone, 4.500, 293.09.

Pro Stock

1. Mike Edwards, Pontiac GXP, 6.609, 208.71, vs. 16. Larry Morgan, Dodge Stratus, 6.692, 205.94. 2. Kurt Johnson, Chevy Cobalt, 6.618, 208.55, vs. 15. V. Gaines, Stratus, 6.688, 206.10. 3. Jason Line, GXP, 6.619, 207.94, vs. 14. Greg Stanfield, GXP, 6.668, 207.11. 4. Allen Johnson, Stratus, 6.620, 207.62, vs. 13. Jim Yates, GXP, 6.661, 206.57. 5. Warren Johnson, GXP, 6.629, 209.33, vs. 12. Johnny Gray, Stratus, 6.661, 206.92. 6. Jeg Coughlin, Cobalt, 6.636, 207.53, vs. 11. Ron Krisher, Cobalt, 6.656, 207.27. 7. Greg Anderson, GXP, 6.638, 208.59, vs. 10. Justin Humphreys, Stratus, 6.652, 207.18. 8. Vinnie Deceglie, Stratus, 6.643, 206.92, vs. 9. Dave Connolly, Cobalt, 6.647, 207.53.

Did Not Qualify: 17. Ben Watson, 6.721, 204.39. 18. Max Naylor, 6.731, 205.44. 19. Gordie Rivera, 6.805, 203.09. 20. Lamar Swindoll Jr., 6.839, 203.34.

Pro Stock Motorcycle

1. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 6.962, 191.21, vs. 16. Freddie Camarena, Suzuki, 7.274, 183.34. 2. Chris Rivas, Buell, 6.964, 190.62, vs. 15. Angie McBride, Buell, 7.240, 182.58. 3. Matt Smith, Buell, 6.977, 189.12, vs. 14. Junior Pippin, Buell, 7.154, 182.75. 4. Chip Ellis, Suzuki, 6.980, 190.48, vs. 13. Peggy Llewellyn, Buell, 7.128, 186.38. 5. Angelle Sampey, Buell, 7.000, 188.44, vs. 12. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 7.111, 190.40. 6. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 7.033, 191.10, vs. 11. Hector Arana, Buell, 7.068, 188.62. 7. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 7.036, 188.99, vs. 10. Craig Treble, Suzuki, 7.061, 189.60. 8. Matt Guidera, Buell, 7.040, 187.05, vs. 9. Mike Berry, Suzuki, 7.048, 189.04.

Did Not Qualify: 17. Ryan Schnitz, 7.376, 176.58. 18. Jim Underdahl, 7.394, 186.05.