NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Rain shortened the final qualifying session of Top Fuel, but fans at the Route 66 NHRA Nationals enjoyed plenty of drama before wet weather got in the way. Scott Palmer fought his way into the field with a 3.854-second run, getting on the bump spot and knocking Luigi Novelli, Cameron Ferre, Kyle Wurtzel, Lex Joon and Chris Karamesines out of contention. 

That didn't make him comfortable, though. Wurtzel had the opportunity to take the Missouri native out of race day contention. Wurtzel's dragster got loose early and the financial planner had to get off the throttle, ensuring Palmer's place in the field on Sunday. Terry McMillen also had to fight his way into the field during the fourth qualifying session with a 3.81-second pass. 

Mike Salinas and Antron Brown are the only two racers who did not get a chance to hit the track before lightning was spotted in the area. They are qualified in the No. 1 and No. 2 positions. Dom Lagana made the quickest run of the session (3.763) and is set to earn three bonus points. 

UPDATE: Mike Salinas and Antron Brown ran side-by-side 3.71s with Brown getting the better of things with a 3.715. He earned three bonus points with the best run of the session. 

[Final Qualifying Results]

First-round pairings (lane choice first): Mike Salinas vs. Scott Palmer; Antron Brown vs. Brittany Force; Steve Torrence vs. Terry McMillen; Dom Lagana vs. Pat Dakin; Doug Kalitta vs. Shawn Reed; Austin Prock vs. Richie Crampton; Clay Millican vs. Jordan Vandergriff; Leah Pritchett vs. T.J. Zizzo