Steve Torrence

Steve Torrence, Ron Capps and Jason Line took the top spots in Friday’s opening round of qualifying for Sunday’s third annual NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series Four-Wide Nationals at zMax Dragway in Concord, N.C.

In a qualifying format unique to this event, cars took to the track four-abreast during Friday’s two qualifying sessions – a 32,000-horsepower preview of Sunday’s eliminations that will see the final four drivers in each division going head to head to head to head to decide the winner.

In Top Fuel, driver/owner Steve Torrence jumped from under the radar to the top of the field during the second qualifying session, beating out the big boys for the top spot with a pass of 3.799 at 322.34 mph.

Torrence, driving for his own single-car outfit, bumped Brandon Bernstein for the top spot, whole hoping to hold to through Saturday’s sessions to score his first career no. 1 qualifier position.

“We had a good car coming into this race, and I was really pleased with the first round. We went .94 when a lot of teams weren’t making it down through there, so I had a lot of confidence in my guys. We made it through half-track and just drove it right back into the groove and laid down a good number,” said Torrence. “(Outrunning the multi-car teams) is a big achievement because those guys have a lot of data, lots of run, and lots of experience among them, so to come out, and run a few races last year, and show up at the first of the season and consider yourself a competitive team, that’s a big achievement.”

Bernstein remained second with a 3.805 at 324.36 mph, followed by Antron Brown (3.806/325.69), Shawn Langdon (3.808/325.06) and Tony Schumacher (3.826/323.97)

Ron Capps

Ron Capps rebounded from a disappointing DNQ two weeks ago at Las Vegas that cost crew chief Tim Richards his job at Don Schumacher Racing. With new head tuner Rahn Tobler turning the wrenches, Capps wheeled his Dodge Charger to a quick pass of 4.105 at 301.81 mph to eclipse Tim Wilkerson for the provisional no. 1 spot.

“I told someone today that I was probably the most nervous I’ve been in a long time because that car had been down the track I think 19 runs in a row before the first run today, and the car didn’t change much. So then I’m thinking, ‘Oh my gosh, if it doesn’t go down and it’s been down the track this many times, what does it say about me in the car?’” said Capps. “I just wanted to get that first run over with, so when it went down the track, it was such a huge relief.”

Jack Beckman jumped from ninth to second in the late afternoon session with a run of 4.113/308.28 while John Force took third with a 4.122/308.34, followed by Bob Tasca III (4.126/305.98) and Bob Bode (4.136/300.46).

Jason Line set the mark to beat in the Pro Stock division as the defending series champion battered the record books with a record track E.T. of 6.493 while besting the national speed record with a 213.91 mph pass, giving him the top spot over Allen Johnson.

Line topped his own track record of 6.510 set here last September, and beat the national record of 213.57 set by Erica Enders in Gainesville in March of last year.

Despite the record-breaking run, Line still wasn’t satisfied, looking for that 214 mph run on Saturday.

"That was a good run but it wasn't a great run. I don't want to sound spoiled but we left a little bit on the table on the starting line and a little bit more on down track,” said Line. “On the second run, the car shook the tires a little less than the first and did a little less of a wheel stand but it still wasn't perfect.

“We're sneaking up on (214). When I ran 213.91, I was a little disappointed because I wanted to skip right over 213 mph and go 214. We were so close.”

Johnson, who led the opening session, held second with a time of 6.504 at 212.43 mph. Dave Connolly (6.528/211.86), Mike Edwards (6.532/211.93) and Ronnie Humphrey (6.538/212.53) rounded out the top five.