Schumacher leads Top Fuel qualifying

The Associated Press

Friday, Aug. 15, 2008

• Qualifying | NHRA scoring from Maple Grove

MOHNTON, Pa. - Top Fuel points leader Tony Schumacher raced to the provisional No. 1 qualifying spot Friday in the Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway.

Cruz Pedregon, Jason Line and Matt Smith also led their divisions in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series event.

Schumacher drove his dragster to a 3.816-second pass at 316.67 mph. He's seeking his sixth No. 1 qualifier of the season, 53rd of his career and sixth at Maple Grove.

Hillary Will clinched her spot in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs with her first qualifying run of the day, while defending event winner Doug Herbert was third in the field.

In Funny Car, Pedregon drove his Toyota Solara to a 4.109-second pass at 299 mph to take the provisional top spot. It would be Pedregon's second No. 1 qualifier of the season, 35th of his career second at Maple Grove.

Ashley Force clinched her spot in the Countdown to 1 after her first session of qualifying as well, while defending event winner Tony Pedregon was sixth in the Funny Car field.

Jason Line posted the quickest time in the Pro Stock category, driving his Pontiac GXP to a 6.639 at 207.40. It would be Line's third No. 1 qualifier of the season, 16th of his career and second at Maple Grove.

Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Matt Smith had the fastest run on a motorcycle, riding his Buell to a 6.909 at 192.38. It would be Smith's third of the season and second consecutive No. 1 qualifier.

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