Brittany Force Powers On In Virginia – SPEED SPORT

Brittany Pressure stormed to the provisional pole of the NHRA Virginia Nationals Friday evening (JFR photograph)

DINWIDDIE, Va. — Prime Gas factors chief Brittany Pressure powered to each ends of the observe file at Virginia Motorsports Park, racing to the provisional No. 1 qualifier on Friday on the Virginia NHRA Nationals.

Matt Hagan (Humorous Automotive) and Angie Smith (Professional Inventory Motorbike) are additionally the provisional No. 1 qualifiers, as 5 of the six observe information had been damaged on Friday on the seventh of twenty-two races in the course of the 2022 NHRA Tenting World Drag Racing Collection season.

In NHRA’s first look on the observe in three years, Pressure went a formidable 3.710 seconds at 335.82 mph in her 11,000-horsepower Flav-R-Pac dragster, making the quickest and quickest run in Virginia Motorsports Park historical past. 

If it holds, it could be the second high spot this yr and thirty fourth total for Pressure, who now has 9 of the ten quickest runs in Prime Gas historical past. The stellar run additionally offers Pressure, a two-time winner in 2022, observe ET information at 11 completely different amenities.

“It cleared up and (crew chief, David) Grubnic had a aim set and we hit that mark,” Pressure mentioned. “We’re enthusiastic about that. It was a very good, stable run and we’re hoping for 2 extra runs tomorrow. (I’m) fairly excited to make that run right here in Virginia. It’s been since 2019 that we had been right here final, so to have the ability to come out right here for the followers and make that run and put a present for them, that was nice. We simply need to maintain bettering and see what we are able to do on race day.”

Justin Ashley, who certified No. 1 at the latest race at zMAX Dragway, is presently second after his cross of three.725 at 327.82. Doug Foley is true behind in third due to his 3.733 at 318.69.

Hagan, the Humorous Automotive factors chief, additionally obliterated the observe pace file, going to the highest with a 3.914 at 335.82 in his 11,000-horsepower Smithfield Model Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat. The spectacular cross bested the earlier observe file by almost 10 mph, placing Hagan, who already has a pair of wins this season, on observe for his second No. 1 qualifier this season. In his three hundredth profession begin, it could even be the forty fifth profession No. 1 qualifier for the Virginia native.

“I’m so pleased with everybody on this crew,” Hagan mentioned. “All of them do a terrific job and all in all, I’m fairly proud of that run. That 335 mph is a illustration of the horsepower on this automotive. It’s my three hundredth profession begin and we’ve obtained a brand new look on the automotive, so it’s good to be the provisional No. 1. I’m blessed to do what we do and it’s simply cool to stay round for 300 races. There’s such a wonderful line in these vehicles and all the pieces has to line up completely, however that’s only a testomony to (crew chief) Dickie (Venables) and our guys.”

Dale Creasy Jr. made a career-best cross of three.974 at 319.07 and is presently within the second place. It was the one different three-second cross throughout Friday’s Humorous Automotive session. Blake Alexander went 4.007 at 304.05 to presently put him within the third spot.

Smith closed out the day with a pair of observe information in Professional Inventory Motorbike, making her personal little bit of historical past with a standout cross of 6.788 at 200.38 on her Denso Auto Elements Buell. It’s the first 200-mph bike run in observe historical past and likewise gave Smith the quickest run at VMP. If it holds, it could be Smith’s second profession No. 1 qualifier as she appears to select up her first victory of the 2022 season.

“It was very thrilling to go 200 mph,” Smith mentioned. “I like this facility and we come take a look at out right here so much, and it’s only a nice observe. I might say it’s my second residence and that was a very good run. Hopefully we are able to maintain this momentum going. We obtained off the beginning line properly and that’s the important thing with these bikes. It’s a really constant observe for us and to see that 200 pop up on the scoreboard is thrilling. You need to placed on a very good present for the followers.”

Level chief Steve Johnson, who has received back-to-back races, went 6.826 at 198.12 to offer him the second spot, whereas Angie’s husband and defending world champ, Matt, is third after going 6.827 at 199.32.