Courtney Force lead NHRA Funny Car qualifying

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MOHNTON, Pa. (AP) — Season points leader Courtney Force led Funny Car qualifying Friday in the playoff-opening Dodge NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway.

Force had a 3.907-second run at 323.27 mph in a Chevrolet Camaro in the first of six events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship.

“We went for it on that second run and I was excited,” Force said. “I knew we were going to go for it and it was awesome. It’s amazing to pick up some of those bonus points. It would be huge to go into race day in the No. 1 spot. We’ve got two more runs (Saturday) and hopefully a long day on race day. But our focus coming into this race is obviously to try and keep that points lead.”

She has four victories and 10 No. 1 qualifiers this season.

Clay Millican led in Top Fuel, Erica Enders in Pro Stock, and Matt Smith in Pro Stock Motorcycle. Millican ran a 3.723 at 330.72, Enders had a 6.550 at 209.88 in a Chevrolet Camaro, and Smith finished in 6.828 at 198.20 on an EBR.

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