Kalitta, Hagan, Anderson lead Pomona qualifying

Doug Kalitta

Doug Kalitta ran his career best elapsed time to lead Top Fuel qualifying Friday at the 57th annual NHRA Circle K Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. Due to weather, only Pro Stock was able to run both rounds of qualifying. Rain began halfway through the Funny Car second session before NHRA officials concluded racing activities.

Matt Hagan (Funny Car) and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) were also qualifying leaders in their respective categories at the season opening event of the 24-race 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.

In the only Top Fuel qualifying session, Kalitta piloted his Mac Tools dragster to a 3.697-second pass at 325.69 mph to head into Saturday’s qualifying in the No. 1 spot. Hagan led Funny Car with a 3.840 at 330.15 in the first session of qualifying in his Mopar Express Lane Dodge Charger R/T while Anderson powered his Summit Racing Equipment Chevy Camaro to a 6.557 at 210.60 in the second session to lead the Pro Stock category.

Qualifying is scheduled to resume Saturday at 12:30 pm.