Lucas qualifies No. 1 at rainy Brainerd
BRAINERD, Minn. (AP) — Morgan Lucas raced to his second No. 1 qualifying position of the season Saturday in a rain-shortened session at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway.
Lucas powered his Top Fuel dragster to a 3.868-second run at 307.16 mph to earn his fourth career No. 1 effort. Larry Dixon was second with a 3.886 at 304.60.
NHRA officials were forced to cancel the final qualifying session for all but Pro Stock Motorcycle when persistent rain showers moved into the area.
Mike Neff, Mike Edwards and Hector Arana also will lead their categories into the final eliminations in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series event.
Neff, who was the last Funny Car driver in the third session order, waited as his run was delayed for more than three hours by rain. Once he finally ran, conditions were a bit cooler and his Ford Mustang took advantage, posting a 4.126 at 304.46. Ron Capps moved to second in the final order, covering the distance in 4.169 at 292.01 in a Dodge Charger.
In Pro Stock, Edwards improved on his performance from Friday, and took his category-leading eighth No. 1 effort of the season with a 6.694 at 205.35 in a Pontiac GXP.
In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Arana rode his Buell to his third No. 1 qualifying positing of the year with a 7.048 at 186.87.