NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Photo highlights from the second day of the NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway.

North Carolina race fans packed the pits at zMAX Dragway, eager to check out the stars and cars of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.

The day started, as it does each Saturday at this event, with Doug Herbert's Hotcakes and Hot Rods breakfast in the Don Schumacher Racing compound to benefit the B.R.A.K.E.S. teen safe-driving school. Herbert, right, was joined by Top Fuel pancake flippers Mike Salinas and Terry McMillen.

Rookie Top Fuel sensation Austin Prock signed autographs for another one of his growing legion of fans.

The huge grandstands at zMAX also were jammed with fans ready to witness the spectacle of four-wide NHRA action.

Funny Car ace Del Worsham joined NHRA announcer Alan Reinhart to teach some fuel-racing basics to the fans in the pits in the popular Nitro School segment.

Fans also got to meet with the drivers during the Mello Yello autograph session. which this event included Pro Stock Motorcycle low qualifier Karen Stoffer, Hector Arana Jr., Brittany Force, and Cruz Pedregon.

Top Sportsman racer and U.S. Army veteran Don O'Neal's NTK/NGK-backed entry was judged the meet's Best Appearing Car.

Fast-rising Pro Stock Motorcycle rider "Flyin' Ryan" Oehler made a last-minute tire-pressure adjustment on his EBR-bodied V-twin bike.

John Medlen, left, and Dean Antonelli, crew chiefs for Jack Beckman's Infinite Hero Dodge, consulted prior to their first run of the day. Beckman finished as the No. 2 qualifier.

Shawn Langdon the Global Electronic Technology Toyota team saddled up for their Q3 pass, which netted them a 3.99-second pass that was followed by an even better 3.94 in the afternoon session.

North Carolina racer Bob Gilbertson backfired the blower and knocked loose the hood-mounted burst panel on his first shot of the day, His second ended a little worse with a top-end fire after a successful qualifying pass.

Defending event champion Jose Gonzales is the qualifying leader in the E3 Pro Mod series after powering his way to a record 5.64 in his turbocharged Q80 Camaro.

NHRA Pro Stock regular Vincent Nobile, who is sitting out this season, climbed back behind the wheel to take part in the Mountain Motor Pro Stock exhibition event in Rocky Watford’s Camaro. His best run was a strong 6.262, far quicker than his career-best.

Ron Capps had some anxious moments in the final qualifying session, flirting with not making the field until crew chief Rahn Tobler made the decision to change cars. A conservative 4.025 got him safely into the field.

Karen Stoffer earned her first No. 1 qualifying spot in Pro Stock Motorcycle since the Atlanta race in 2015.