Top Alcohol Dragster racer Josh Hart drove his Advance Auto Parts Dragster to the top of the qualifying list at the NHRA Gatornationals. 

Hart, from nearby Ocala, Fla., was in a class of his own as he stopped the timers at 5.178 seconds, 276.07 miles per hour.   James Stevens put his Blown Alcohol Dragster second with a 5.206  277.37. Dan Page was third at 5.210. 

Annie Whiteley was the top runner in Alcohol Funny Car as she edged out Sean Bellemeur, 5.404 to a 5.407  for the top spot. Ulf Leanders was third with a 5.438, 270.97. 

The top three in Comp remained unchanged as Frank Aragona retained the top spot, followed by Van Puckett and Wes Leopold.
 

Four NHRA sportsman divisions completed their qualifying during the first day of the NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla. 

Division 3 NHRA Super Stock standout Irvin Johns raced his way to the top of qualifying with his GT/GA Chevrolet Cavalier by laying down a 9.212, elapsed time, -1.188 under the index. Bubba Turner slipped into second with his Factory GT/B , Mustang, -1.181 under his index.  Drew Skillman was third with a -1.099 performance. 

Local favorite Richard Mace drove his flamed G/Stock Automatic Corvette to a 10.827, -1.173 under the index to pace the 63-car field. Charley Downing was second, -1.157 under the Factory Stock/J index. Tommy Turner was third in his M/Stock Mustang at -1.148 under. 

Comp Eliminator got in one session with Frank Aragona Jr., jumping to the provisional lead with a 7.206, -0.784 under the E/Dragster Automatic index. The G/Altered Automatic of Van Puckett was second quickest with a -0.740 performance. Wes Leopold's A/Super Modified Automatic was third with a -0.739 hit. 

Mike Coughlin was the top runner in Top Dragster with a 6.018, 228.19 while Shane Novak was the No. 1 seed in Top Sportsman with a 6.054, 242.06.