BangShift.com NHRA Veterans Take Top Spots In First Qualifying Sessions Of 2021, But Can They Hold Onto Them At For Gatornationals Eliminations?

NHRA Veterans Take Top Spots In First Qualifying Sessions Of 2021, But Can They Hold Onto Them At For Gatornationals Eliminations?

Qualifying for the first NHRA National event of 2021 was long awaited and pretty exciting, but also a bit confusing. Confusing because the NHRA Gatornationals shouldn’t be the “first” event of 2021. It’s weird. It’s the start of the season but on completely the wrong side of the country. NHRA’s headquarters building is only minutes away from the starting line in Pomona, CA where the season would normally be starting with the NHRA Winternationals. But it’s COVID and that is what it is. So for the first time in decades, the fans on the right side of the country get to enjoy NHRA drag racing before the fans on the left side.

If you were watching Friday’s qualifying though, you’d have zero clue that racing hadn’t been happening each and every week as the veteran’s of the sport hit the ground running and took the top spots in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle. If you weren’t watching, don’t worry as we have the videos and results right here.

Watch and enjoy.

STEVE TORRENCE

TOP FUEL PROVISION NO. 1 QUALIFIER

CAPCO CONTRACTORS DRAGSTER

3.699 SEC., 324.90 MPH

NOTE: Top Fuel champion Steve Torrence wowed fans at Gainesville Raceway with his 3.699-second pass at 324.90 mph as he seeded himself provisionally No. 1 at the 52nd annual AMALIE Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals.

RON CAPPS

FUNNY CAR PROVISION NO. 1 QUALIFIER

NAPA AUTO PARTS DODGE CHARGER SRT HELLCAT FUNNY CAR

3.895 SEC., 329.02 MPH

NOTE: Ron Capps powered his Dodge Funny Car to the provisional No. 1 spot on Friday at Gainesville Raceway to kick off the 2021 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season.

ERICA ENDERS

PRO STOCK PROVISIONAL NO. 1 QUALIFIER

MELLING PERFORMANCE CHEVROLET CAMARO

6.528 SEC., 210.77 MPH

NOTE: Reigning Pro Stock champion Erica Enders raced to the provisional No. 1 spot on Friday at the season opener at the AMALIE Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals.

ANGELLE SAMPEY

PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE PROVISIONAL NO. 1 QUALIFIER

VANCE & HINES MISSION FOODS SUZUKI

6.746 SEC., 196.67 MPH

NOTE: Pro Stock Motorcycle champ Angelle Sampey drove her new Vance & Hines Mission Foods Suzuki to the top of the category at Gainesville Raceway to kick off the 2021 season.