TOP STORIES
Old qualifying streaks end, new ones begin after frantic Saturday in Vegas
One of the most impressive streaks in all motorsports came to an abrupt end Saturday in Las Vegas when 14-time Funny Car champion John Force failed to qualify for eliminations for the first time in 395 races. Force (pictured) and Top Fuel contender Doug Kalitta, whose class-leading streak of 164 consecutive races also ended this weekend, will be conspicuous observers when the eighth annual SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals begin Sunday morning at 11 a.m.
Friday leaders Tony Schumacher, Mike Ashley, and Jeg Coughlin remained on top of their respective fields. Schumacher's 4.479 at 329.83 mph was more than enough in Top Fuel to earn him his third pole of the year. Ashley rode Funny Car's fastest pass ever (4.725 at 334.32 mph) to his first low qualifying effort, while Coughlin earned his second No. 1 qualifying award in the past two races.