TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — John Force broke Heartland Park Topeka’s Funny Car time and speed records Friday in rain-shortened qualifying for the NHRA Kansas Nationals.
The 65-year-old Force, the 16-time and defending Funny Car season champion, powered his Ford Mustang to a 4.021-second run at 318.84 mph. he won the season-opening Winternationals for his record 139th victory.
“We’ve struggled this year since Phoenix,” said Force, who has nine victories at Topeka. “(Crew chief) Jimmy Prock and the team have been working really hard. We had a good race track and good conditions, and we got down there. I have a good hot rod right now. We’ll see if we can do it again.”
J.R. Todd led the Top Fuel field, and Vincent Nobile took the Pro Stock lead. Teams were only able to get in one of two scheduled qualifying sessions before rain moved in.
Todd had a 3.747 at 322.65, and Nobile finished in 6.601 seconds at 208.71 mph in a Chevy Camaro.
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