John Force Races to Pole No. 164 at Circle K NHRA Four-Wide National

John Force in post-qualifying interview

(CONCORD, NC – APRIL 30, 2022 – RIS) John Force drove his 11,000-horsepower PEAK/BlueDEF Platinum Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car to a track record of 3.850 seconds at 334.24 mph in Friday's qualifying session and the time held for the 16-time champion to claim his 164th career pole and first of the 2022 season. “It's a team effort and Robert Hight ran quicker, 3.87 to our 3.89 (in the final qualifying session), but feel I good about that because three out of four good runs for us and a little consistency," Force said. "If Robert wins, we win, but I want to win, too. He's got a couple on board (in 2022);

I need to get going there. Consistency is what we're looking for. I'm trying to find myself on the Tree. So, good day for (our team) and let's see where tomorrow goes.”

Also on pole for their classes are Angelle Sampey aboard her Pro Stock Motorcycle and Justin Ashley.

Sampey earned her position with a best time of 6.714 seconds and 201.82 mph in Saturday's sessions, earning the 54th top qualifier position for the three-time class world champion.

Justin Ashley scored his first career pole in Top Fuel with Friday's best pass of 3.669 seconds at 331.77 mph. “We’ve accomplished a lot in a short period of time, but to be able to sit here and say we’ve qualified No. 1 at an event like this with the depth in this Top Fuel field, it really says a lot about our team,” Ashley said. “I’m along for the ride and I’m enjoying it, that much I can tell you. There’s pressure on raceday because it’s raceday. It’s just about going out there and putting our best foot forward.”

Qualifying second to Ashley is Leah Pruett, at 3.686/327.51, a thin 0.008 second ahead of third qualifier Steve Torrence. Austin Prock qualified eighth, but his trap speed of 333.58 mph set a new track record for the class.

First-round pairings for professional eliminations Sunday for the 12th annual Circle K NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMax Dragway, the sixth of 22 events in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series. Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday. DNQs listed below pairings.

Top Fuel
First Quad: 
1. Justin Ashley, 3.669 seconds, 331.77 mph vs. 16. Cameron Ferre, 3.854, 319.45 vs. 8. Austin Prock, 3.719, 333.58 vs. 9. Antron Brown, 3.729, 329.10;
Second Quad: 2. Leah Pruett, 3.686, 329.10 vs. 15. Tony Schumacher, 3.831, 319.98 vs. 7. Brittany Force, 3.716, 332.92 vs. 10. Spencer Massey, 3.749, 325.53;
Third Quad: 3. Steve Torrence, 3.694, 329.02 vs. 14. Shawn Langdon, 3.798, 322.50 vs. 6. Josh Hart, 3.715, 329.50 vs. 11. Clay Millican, 3.756, 325.53;
Fourth Quad: 4. Doug Kalitta, 3.700, 327.43 vs. 13. Alex Laughlin, 3.777, 317.27 vs. 5. Mike Salinas, 3.706, 329.10 vs. 12. Doug Foley, 3.774, 306.60. 
Did Not Qualify: 17. Kyle Wurtzel, 3.854, 317.72;
18. Krista Baldwin, 3.924, 297.88. 

Funny Car:
First Quad: 
1. John Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.850, 334.24 vs. Bye vs. vs. 8. Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 3.909, 329.34 vs. 9. Alexis DeJoria, Toyota Supra, 3.936, 328.38;
Second Quad: 2. Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 3.867, 330.55 vs. 15. Mike McIntire, Toyota Camry, 4.340, 215.62 vs. 7. Blake Alexander, Mustang, 3.894, 325.37 vs. 10. Paul Lee, Charger, 3.937, 325.30;
Third Quad: 3. Ron Capps, Supra, 3.873, 332.02 vs. 14. Dale Creasy Jr., Charger, 4.100, 255.05 vs. 6. J.R. Todd, Supra, 3.893, 330.63 vs. 11. Chad Green, Mustang, 4.002, 309.20;
Fourth Quad: 4. Robert Hight, Camaro, 3.876, 329.99 vs. 13. Jim Campbell, Charger, 4.082, 246.71 vs. 5. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 3.876, 328.38 vs. 12. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.028, 309.49. 

Pro Stock Motorcycle: 
First Quad: 
1. Angelle Sampey, Suzuki, 6.714, 201.82 vs. 16. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 6.983, 191.81 vs. 8. Joey Gladstone, Suzuki, 6.804, 199.82 vs. 9. Matt Smith, Suzuki, 6.834, 200.11;
Second Quad: 2. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.732, 200.05 vs. 15. Ron Tornow, Victory, 6.966, 188.52 vs. 7. Angie Smith, EBR, 6.801, 200.44 vs. 10. Hector Arana Jr, Buell, 6.840, 196.22;
Third Quad: 3. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 6.763, 199.79 vs. 14. Ryan Oehler, EBR, 6.934, 196.07 vs. 6. Jim Underdahl, Suzuki, 6.793, 200.08 vs. 11. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 6.885, 194.21;
Fourth Quad: 4. Eddie Krawiec, Suzuki, 6.779, 198.85 vs. 13. Marc Ingwersen, EBR, 6.924, 198.70 vs. 5. Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 6.781, 199.76 vs. 12. Michael Ray, Victory, 6.892, 195.90. 
Did Not Qualify: 17. David Barron, broke. 

Sunday's eliminations are scheduled to start an hour early, in light of the possibility of storms in the area later in the day. First round eliminations will begin at 11:00 Sunday morning, instead of the noon start time originally planned.

John Davison

Long-time RIS staffer, beginning in the mid-80s. Charlotte, NC area local contact.

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Volume 2022, Issue 4, Posted 9:47 PM, 04.30.2022