(Photos by Will Lester and Wesley Allison)  Top Fuel title contender Brittany Force piloted her Brian Husan/Alan Johnson-tuned Monster Energy dragster to the quickest pass in Auto Club Raceway at Pomona history during qualifying at the 53rd annual Auto Club NHRA Finals.

 

Other qualifying leaders, going into Saturday’s final rounds are Jack Beckman in Funny Car, Greg Anderson’s Summit-backed Pro Stocker and Chip Ellis in Pro Stock Bike in their respective categories at the final event of the 2017 NHRA season.

Force, who entered the race only 20 points behind first place leader Steve Torrence, laid down the track record 3.667-second pass at 330.31 mph in the second qualifying session to take over the Top Fuel lead.

 

“Obviously we’re trying to push the car,” Force said. “To jump up to the No. 1 spot was huge for us but that’s where we need to be. We’re chasing down that No. 1 spot and to have a killer run like that sets us up good for tomorrow and gets us ready for race day. It’s not just a confidence builder for me but for my entire team. It pushes us forward and gives us that momentum.”

Clay Millican is in the second spot with is 3.671 pass at 328.22 while reigning Top Fuel world champion Antron Brown sits in the third position. Current points leader Steve Torrence is in the fifth position with two more sessions scheduled for Saturday.

 

Southern California native Beckman raced to the top of the Funny Car field with his 3.835 pass at 334.98 in his Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger R/T during the second session.

 

“In the summer we found a groove on hot race tracks and then we decided to park that car and unload a new one, which took us a little while to get a handle on,” Beckman said. “A few months ago, in good conditions we were not a top three car, but I think we are now a top three car no matter what the conditions are so we are very satisfied.”

Courtney Force debuted her sponsorship from recording artist Taylor Swift on the side of her Camaro-bodied funny car in the first qualifying round, dancing side-to-side and up on two wheels heading down the legendary Pomona track.

Courtney Force’s Wild Ride: 

 

 

In the second round, Force came back with with a solid 3.871 pass at 334.57 to put her in the second qualifying spot. Tommy Johnson Jr. sits in third. Championship frontrunner and Force’s teammate, Robert Hight is currently unqualified while reigning world champion and second in points Ron Capps is seventh.

 

Anderson, who is leading the championship chase in Pro Stock, raced his Chevrolet Camaro to a 6.561 pass at 210.67 in the first qualifying session.

Drew Skillman is currently in the second spot after racing a 6.555 at 211.69 and veteran Jeg Coughlin Jr. is in third. Championship contenders Jason Line and Bo Butner (Above) are currently qualified sixth and seventh, respectively.

 

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Chip Ellis rode to a 6.805 pass at 196.53 to lead the field. Ellis was quickest in both of the qualifying sessions. Ellis is racing to secure his first No. 1 of the season and first since 2015.

 

Qualifying at the 53rd annual Auto Club NHRA Finals continues Saturday at Noon. Catch the action live on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) at 6 p.m.