Millican, Beckman, Skillman Lead Opening Pomona Qualifying

Clay Millican

NHRA

The 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season kicked off Friday and Jack Beckman powered to the Funny Car qualifying lead at the 58th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals presented by ProtectTheHarvest.com at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.

Clay Millican (Top Fuel) and Drew Skillman (Pro Stock) are also provisional qualifying leaders in their respective categories at the first of 24 events on the 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.

Millican leads the Top Fuel category with a run of 3.694 at 327.74 in his Great Clips/Parts Plus dragster posted during the second qualifying session. After earning a career-best five No. 1 qualifiers in 2017, he is looking for his first of the season when he hits the track on Saturday.

Beckman leads the Funny Car category with a run of 3.860 seconds at 332.84 mph recorded during his second pass of the day. He’s chasing the top position at the season-opener after wrapping up 2017 with a stretch of two consecutive No. 1 qualifiers.

In Pro Stock, Skillman currently holds the top spot after driving to a 6.569 at 210.37 in his Ray Skillman Chevrolet Camaro in the first qualifying pass of the day. He is aiming to lock down his first No. 1 qualifying position of the season after securing two in 2017.

Qualifying continues at 12:15 p.m. on Saturday.

Friday's results after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the 58th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals presented by ProtectTheHarvest.com at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, first of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.

Top Fuel — 1. Clay Millican, 3.694 seconds, 327.74 mph; 2. Antron Brown, 3.717, 332.51; 3. Steve Torrence, 3.726, 326.40; 4. Doug Kalitta, 3.729, 328.06; 5. Tony Schumacher, 3.732, 331.20; 6. Mike Salinas, 3.764, 326.71; 7. Leah Pritchett, 3.783, 328.62; 8. Terry McMillen, 3.794, 324.12; 9. Scott Palmer, 3.844, 313.00; 10. Richie Crampton, 3.903, 287.60; 11. Terry Haddock, 4.133, 254.76; 12. Steve Faria, 4.932, 150.26; 13. Brittany Force, 5.453, 118.44.

Funny Car — 1. Jack Beckman, Dodge Charger, 3.860, 332.84; 2. Matt Hagan, Charger, 3.877, 329.99; 3. Ron Capps, Charger, 3.882, 331.12; 4. Robert Hight, Chevy Camaro, 3.889, 332.59; 5. Cruz Pedregon, Toyota Camry, 3.924, 326.48; 6. Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 3.932, 320.36; 7. Del Worsham, Camry, 3.943, 320.97; 8. Courtney Force, Camaro, 3.948, 328.94; 9. Shawn Langdon, Camry, 3.949, 328.06; 10. J.R. Todd, Camry, 3.953, 322.04; 11. Jonnie Lindberg, Camry, 3.954, 322.58; 12. Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 3.984, 322.50; 13. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.046, 310.27; 14. Jeff Diehl, Camry, 4.059, 313.58; 15. Jim Campbell, Charger, 4.130, 307.16; 16. John Force, Camaro, 4.139, 265.38. Not Qualified: 17. Richard Townsend, 4.242, 258.91; 18. Bob Bode, 4.828, 167.91; 19. Brandon Welch, 7.210, 66.45.

Pro Stock — 1. Drew Skillman, Chevy Camaro, 6.569, 210.47; 2. Vincent Nobile, Camaro, 6.586, 209.65; 3. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.591, 209.56; 4. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.591, 209.39; 5. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.595, 208.65; 6. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.600, 208.71; 7. Jason Line, Camaro, 6.603, 208.39; 8. Tanner Gray, Camaro, 6.611, 207.53; 9. Alex Laughlin, Camaro, 6.613, 208.59; 10. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.628, 208.07; 11. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.631, 208.71; 12. Steve Graham, Camaro, 6.690, 208.14; 13. Val Smeland, Camaro, 6.691, 207.91; 14. Alan Prusiensky, Dodge Dart, 6.733, 207.02; 15. Joey Grose, Camaro, 6.753, 205.57; 16. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 11.463, 98.77.