Jack Beckman is on the cusp of earning his first No. 1 qualifying position at the 49th annual Amalie NHRA Gatornationals after leading both of Friday’s Funny Car qualifying sessions at Gainesville, Fla.

The 2012 NHRA Mello Yello Funny Car world champion recorded the day’s best time of 3.911 seconds at 332.18 mph in the early evening session after being one of only three Funny Cars to dip into the 3.9-second range in the opening session when his 3.958 topped the list.

Beckman in Don Schumacher Racing’s Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T led by crew chiefs Dean Antonelli, Neal Strausbaugh and John Medlen have led four of this year’s 10 qualifying sessions.

Qualifying resumes Saturday with final sessions scheduled for noon and 3 p.m. (EDT) followed by championship eliminations at 11 a.m. Sunday.

“I don’t understand why it wasn’t quicker,” said Beckman, who has earned 22 poles in his career but none at the Florida track where he also has yet to advance to a final round.

“When we rolled around the corner for Q1, I think the quickest time was a 3.96. I thought everyone was just missing it. I thought someone would run in (the 3.8 range) in session one and no one did that all day.”

Beckman was one of only three drivers to dip into the 3.9s to open the day. In the late session, 10 drivers ran quicker than 4 seconds and the top three were in the 3.91-second range with Courtney Force at 3.914 and her John Force Racing teammate and reigning world champion Robert Hight at 3.917.

“Gainesville is typically crazy good conditions; at sea level, hot out and a good racetrack,” Beckman added.

“Crew chiefs always race the racetrack. Obviously, that’s all the track conditions were going to give us. I guess we’re just tip-toing to not overpower the racetrack.

“The top three all were in the 3.91s and that’s with three different brilliant crew chiefs.”

Heading to Saturday with the provisional pole within reach, Beckman said his team “has the advantage of being able to swing harder if the conditions are really good.”

But that’s not the plan.

“We’re racing for points tomorrow. Those bonus points are that important right now.”

At the other end of the performance spectrum, defending Gatornationals winner John Force lost a Peak Chevrolet Camaro body for the third straight event after another engine explosion. He holds the provisional No. 14 qualifying spot with only 17 cars having made qualifying runs trying to make Sunday’s 16-car field.