Points leader Jonathan Allegrucci drove his Mustang Cobra Jet to the No. 1 qualifier at the most prestigious drag race in the country today, the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals. This is Allegrucci’s third No. 1 qualifier of the racing season, but first since the Charlotte Four-Wide Nationals. His quickest run came today in the opening qualifying session when he crossed the finish line with an improved time of 7.714 seconds at 179.54 mph.
“It doesn’t feel real yet. Going No. 1 wasn’t the plan,” said Allegrucci. “When we looked at the entry list, we didn’t think it was going to happen. But we made four perfect runs, and the car’s just been great. The adjustments have been great, and we were able to just keep building.”Alex Anderson made a solid pass of 7.719 seconds at 178.52 in the third qualifying session, followed by James Betz who improved from his best Friday time but slid three spots running 7.723 seconds at 178.76 mph. Reigning Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown world champion Mark Pawuk jumped to No. 4 from No. 17 with 7.744 seconds at 179.90 mph run.
In the final session, Allegrucci held on to the top spot and will go into race day with a competition bye. He made a solid run in the last session but was slightly off the three quickest runs of the final session. If he is able to secure the race day win, it will be his first U.S. Nationals title. Jason Dietsch ran 7.769 seconds at 176.74 mph followed by Richard Hord’s 7.771 seconds at 176.19 mph and Raymond Nash with a run of 7.793 seconds at 175.55 mph.
“We just have to do us,” said Allegrucci. “We have to forget everything else. Just do what we did in qualifying. Look at the weather. Look at the data. Adjust the suspension, the tune and just do us. Don’t worry about anything else. Racing Flexjet Factory Stock is the only thing I’ve ever dreamed of doing. I love all the aspects of drag racing, but this is by far my love, and I don’t think it gets any better.”
On Friday night during qualifying there were no major changes from the first session which saw James Betz and his Ford Mustang Cobra Jet run the quickest time of Friday, a 7.822 second pass at 172.10 mph.
Norwalk and defending U.S. Nationals winner Taylor Dietsch will head into the first round of eliminations tomorrow with the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown $1,000 bounty on the line. Tony Scott will have the first chance to grab the bonus cash if he can turn on a win light in the first round. Other notable first round match-ups include No. 2 in Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown points Raymond Nash versus Mike Clark, and reigning champion Pawuk versus Kim Shirley.
The first round of eliminations at the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals will begin Sunday morning with three rounds of eliminations for the all-run field. Monday will feature the semifinals and final round. Fans can follow the racing action at www.nhra.com.
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