COUGHLIN TAKES THE TOP SPOT IN PHOENIX PRO STOCK, WHILE NITRO CLASSES REMAIN UNCHANGED

 

Jeg Coughlin Jr. was the only new face atop the professional leaderboard at the NHRA Arizona Nationals in Phoenix as qualifying closed on Saturday evening. 

Coughlin swiped the No. 1 spot from the six-time world champ during the final session, as the veteran went 6.517 at 210.64 in his Scag Power Equipment car. 

For Austin Prock (Funny Car) and Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), they remained the leaders throughout Saturday's two sessions. 

The momentous No. 1 marked Coughlin's 35th and his first since returning to full-time racing this season. He’ll race Phoenix-area native Matt Hartford in the first round.

“It’s very exciting and a big testament to this team,” Coughlin said. “To be on the pole, it feels fantastic. We unloaded off the trailer with a good run right off the bat. I had my hands full the first three gears and we tuned it up for Q2. It was the quickest of the session and went straight down the track. They tuned it up for Q3 and gave me a little more and it felt really nice. The car feels good and the team is gelling, and that’s what it takes.”

Enders’ 6.518 at 210.90 put her second, while Dallas Glenn took third with a 6.537 at 209.14.

Austin Prock’s 3.840 at 334.40 from Friday held up, giving the freshman Funny Car driver his second No. 1 spot in three races. He’ll open eliminations against Buddy Hull. Bob Tasca III took second with a 3.876 at 334.65 and Paul Lee qualified third after going 3.889 at 329.02.

Steve Torrence’s run from Friday stood up, as the four-time world champion earned his first top spot of the season with his 3.678 at 336.23 in his 11,000-horsepower Capco Contractors dragster. He’ll race against Top Fuel rookie Travis Shumake. Brittany Force qualified second thanks to Friday’s 3.689 at 334.90, while defending world champ Doug Kalitta’s 3.697 at 323.66 put him third.

Eliminations for the 39th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals begin at 11 a.m. ET on Sunday at Firebird Motorsports Park.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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