SONOMA, Calif. (July 28, 2017) - Robert Hight powered to the Funny Car qualifying lead Friday evening at the 30th annual Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway.
Hight set the national speed record at 339.87 mph with his 3.807-second pass in his Chevy Camaro during the second qualifying session. He most recently won at Denver for his first victory of the season.
"When you have Jimmy Prock as your crew chief, he tries to get everything he can out of that race track," Hight said. "It's the coolest noise when you hear that nitro engine running up that kind of RPM; it's music to your ears."
Leah Pritchett (Top Fuel), Drew Skillman (Pro Stock) and LE Tonglet (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were also provisional qualifying leaders in their respective categories at the 15th of 24 events on the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.
Pritchett leads the Top Fuel category after she set the track elapsed time record of 3.669 seconds at 304.80 mph in her dragster. She is searching for her second consecutive No. 1 qualifier, fifth of the season and sixth of her career.
In Pro Stock, Skillman currently holds the top spot after driving to a 6.544 run at 211.73 in his Chevrolet Camaro during the second qualifying session. He is racing to secure back-to-back No. 1 qualifiers as well as a third consecutive victory.
Tonglet sits atop the Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying order after posting a time of 6.783 at 196.73 in his Nitro Fish Racing Suzuki during his second pass of the day. Tonglet is seeking his third No. 1 qualifier this season and sixth of his career.
Qualifying continues Saturday with sessions at 1:10 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. for Sunday's eliminations. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 800-870-7223 or visit www.sonomaraceway.com