Indianapolis Thursday U.S. Nationals qualifying

CLERMONT, Ind. - Randy Daniels led Pro Stock Truck qualifying Thursday at the 45th annual U.S. Nationals, drag racing's most prestigious event. The $2.6 million race is the 16th of 22 events in the $40 million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series. Daniels, from Grantsboro, N.C., drove his Daniels Racing Chevrolet S-10 to the No. 1 position, covering the Indianapolis Raceway Park quarter-mile in 7.685 seconds at 174.62 mph. Daniels' elapsed time is an IRP track record. "Two months off really makes you itchy to go racing again," said Daniels, a two-time winner this season. "It also gives you time to go over the Chevy S-10 and get in tip-top shape. We were able to do some more development with our engines and it paid off, at least today. It looks like, at least for the moment, that we have the S-10 working well." The remaining four pro categories will make their first qualifying run Friday, beginning at 6 p.m.

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CLERMONT, Ind. -- Results Thursday after qualifying for the 45th annual U. S. Nationals at Indianapolis Raceway Park, 16th of 22 events in the $40 million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Friday and Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.

Pro Stock Truck -- 1. Randy Daniels, Grantsboro, N.C., Cheverolet S-10, 7.685, 174.62; 2. Jerry Haas, St. Louis, S-10, 7.706, 174.23; 3. Craig Eaton, Glendale, Ariz., Dodge Dakota, 7.711, 173.99; 4. Scott Perin, Pen Argyl, Pa., S-10, 7.713, 174.80; 5. Brian Self, Houston, S-10, 7.721, 174.28; 6. Tim Freeman, Roan Mountain, Tenn., S-10, 7.728, 174.75; 7. Todd Patterson, Augusta, Kan., Dakota, 7.730, 174.14; 8. Mark Osborne, Abingdon, Va., S-10, 7.732, 174.66; 9. John Lingenfelter, Decatur, Ind., S-10, 7.732, 174.66; 10. Rick Jones, Galesburg, Ill., GMC Sonoma, 7.740, 174.17; 11. David Spitzer, Indianapolis, Sonoma, 7.772, 173.38; 12. Bob Panella Jr, Stockton, Calif., S-10, 7.775, 173.90; 13. Larry Kopp, Baltimore, S-10, 7.775, 172.98; 14. Greg Stanfield, Bossier City,, La., S-10, 7.777, 174.28; 15. Mark Whisnant, Stockbridge, Ga., S-10, 7.785, 172.59; 16. Roy Simmons, Morrison, Colo., Dakota, 7.793, 173.32.