Seattle: Friday summary

KENT, Wash. - John Force led all Funny Car competitors Friday at the 14th annual Prolong Super Lubricants NHRA Northwest Nationals presented by NAPA Auto Parts at Seattle International Raceway.

Gary Scelzi and Bruce Allen also were qualifying leaders in their respective categories at the $1.7 million race, the 15th of 24 events in the $50 million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series.

Force steered his Castrol GTX Ford Mustang down the quarter-mile in 4.876 seconds at a track record 310.41 mph to lead the 16-car field after the first day of qualifying.

"There was nothing to lose on that pass because we were already (qualified)," said Force. "(Crew chief Austin) Coil said 'Let's see if the car will run the numbers and go for it.' It's a brand new car and we only have limited information on it."

Force's primary vehicle was totaled Thursday when a support chain on the back of his transporter's lift device detached unexpectedly during unloading. The fall destroyed the body and chassis. One crew member received minor injuries during the incident.

Scelzi, who is seeking his fourth straight No. 1 qualifying position and fifth of the year, powered his Team Winston dragster to a track record elapsed time of 4.512 at 316.97 to set the pace in the Top Fuel category.

"We weren't going to leave anything on the table," said Scelzi. "The clutch slipped a little at first and then it caught and the car was out of there. Things are looking good and I'm happy. Honestly, I don't know if we can catch (Winston points leader) Kenny (Bernstein) and Larry (Dixon), but we're going to make a run at it."

Allen drove his Reher-Morrison Pontiac Grand Am to the top of the Pro Stock order with a track record elapsed time of 6.844 at 200.41. A total of nine Pro Stock drivers ran better than the previous elapsed time record of 6.876. Mark Osborne established a track record for speed when he reached 201.82 in his new Mopar Parts Dodge Neon R/T.

Professional qualifying continues Saturday at 1:30 p.m.

-NHRA