Brainerd – Hector Arana Jr. scored his first No. 1 qualifier in two years in Pro Stock Motorcycle, and Leah Pritchett, Robert Hight and Tanner Gray also hung on to No. 1 qualifying positions at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway.
Arana stood on his 6.879-second run from the second qualifying session and ran the second-quickest time of the fourth session in earning his first top qualifying spot since 2015.
"This means a lot to me," Arana said. "Not only to me, but everyone back at the shop and everyone in the crew, to finally get the results. We've been really good, we've [qualified] No. 3, No. 2, and it's been awesome, but it's so awesome to finally get the No. 1. "
Pritchett's 3.640-second pass at 330.63 miles per hour from Friday night — breaking her own record with the quickest Top Fuel run in NHRA history — withstood Saturday qualifying and secured her sixth No. 1 of the season.
"Brainerd is the epitome of throw-down central, so that's what we did last night," Pritchett said. "Today was about getting ready for Sunday. Obviously, our national record gave us, delivered us, blessed us with a green hat but Q4 today was looking pretty good for us. We threw down last night, and today was just about race day."
Hight (Funny Car) and Gray (Pro Stock) also secured No. 1 qualifying spots. Hight ran the elapsed-time national record of 3.793 at 338.00 in his Chevrolet Camaro SS during Friday's qualifying. It is his third consecutive No. 1, fifth of the season and 54th of his career. He will face Dale Creasy Jr. in eliminations.
Gray, a rookie, leads the Pro Stock category with his pass of 6.607 at 208.617 from Friday. It is his third No. 1 qualifier. Points leader Bo Butner is in the No. 2 spot with his pass of 6.617 seconds at 207.69 mph.
