Kalitta, Beckman, Anderson, Sampey Lead Atlanta Qualifying

Doug Kalitta

Doug Kalitta raced to the qualifying lead in Top Fuel on Friday at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway. Jack Beckman (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were qualifying leaders in their respective categories at the seventh event of 24 on the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.

Kalitta, riding the momentum from his victory in Houston two weeks ago, powered his Mac Tools dragster to a 3.731-second pass at 328.70 mph to take the qualifying lead. Kalitta, whose time and speed were both Atlanta Dragway track records, has one No. 1 qualifier this season and 44 in his career. He was the No. 1 qualifier at this event in 2014.

Beckman topped qualifying in the Funny Car division with a track record performance of 3.939 at 326.32 mph over his Don Schumacher Racing teammate Matt Hagan. Anderson was quickest in Pro Stock, running a 6.610 at 210.14 while Sampey held the top spot in Pro Stock Motorcycle, going 6.865 at 193.32 mph.

Qualifying continues on Saturday with final eliminations set to begin Sunday at 11am.