NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Highlights and scenes from the final day of qualifying at the Mopar Express Lane NHRA SpringNationals presented by Pennzoil at Houston Raceway Park

Sportsman eliminations continued throughout the day including Stock Eliminator which included James Carter and his Forney, Texas based COPO Camaro.

National Dragster contributor and defending Houston champ Brenda Grubbs went to the quarterfinals in her AA/SA '69 Camaro before falling to Brett Candies, the son of legendary Funny Car owner, Paul Candies.

Many fans arrived long before the first round of nitro qualifying so they could watch the team's prepare for both of Saturday's qualifying runs.

Tommy Johnson Jr. has won 18 national events during his long career, but he's not yet won at Houston Raceway Park. That could easily change on Sunday as he's solidly qualified for the Funny Car field in his Make-A-Wish Dodge.

When it comes to nitro racing, Tim Wilkerson and his son, Daniel, make a potent 1-2 combination. Daniel is tuning Blake Alexander's Pronto entry while Tim continues to pull double-duty as the driver and crew chief on his own Levi, Ray & Shoup entry.

Jay Turner held on to the top spot in the Top Fuel Harley class thanks to the stout 6.186, 235.93 pass that he made on Friday.

When it comes to Pro Mod racing, Alex Laughlin has caught on quickly. In just his second race in the class, he's qualified solidly with a 5.785 behind the wheel of his turbocharged Havoline Camaro.

The special Mountain Motor Pro Stock exhibition race has been a big hit with the Texas fans who got to cheer for one of their own in Montgomery, Texas based Rick Cowger and his 827-cid Chevy Cobalt.

Jack Beckman and his Infinite Hero Funny Car team unveiled a special one-race paint scheme to honor the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. The car was also named as the Best Appearing Car for the Mopar Express Lane NHRA SpringNatioinals.

For more than three decades, fans have packed Houston Raceway Park to watch the stars of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.

Two-time Funny Car champ Matt Hagan was easy to spot in Houston with his special chrome Pennzoil paint scheme on his Schumacher Racing Dodge Charger.  Hagan was also the  No. 5 qualifier with a 3.916.