Looking to stay in the top 10, Top Fuel’s Brittany Force made the quickest run of Friday at the 70th annual Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals, powering to the provisional No. 1 position at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.

Blake Alexander (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and Angie Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are also the provisional No. 1 qualifiers at the 14th of 20 races during the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.

Force, who is currently an uncharacteristic 10th in points, went 3.740-seconds at 334.32 mph in her 11,000-horsepower Chevrolet Accessories dragster to kick off the race weekend. If it holds, the two-time world champion would pick up her second No. 1 this season and the 48th in her career. More importantly, Force needs to stay in the top 10 to secure a spot in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs. A win at the world’s biggest drag race would clinch that for Force, who is after her first win since her 2022 championship season.

“I haven't been in a position like this for a long time, especially coming from this David Grubnic-led championship team,” said Force, a two-time U.S. Nationals runner-up. “We never thought we'd be here, but we had a hard season last year, same as this season. We're really going to fight all weekend long. That 3.74 run down the dragstrip on the first qualifying run, four bonus points, currently No. 1, that's everything we could have asked for. Our first goal of the weekend is accomplished.

“This is such a special event and an historic race. It’s a big event, but that means a lot of pressure and a lot on the line. This is the race you want to win and our motivation hasn’t gone away.”

Antron Brown is right behind in second thanks to a 3.759 at 330.63. Brown has won the U.S. Nationals in back-to-back years. Billy Torrence sits in the third spot after a run of 3.792 at 331.45.

Coming off an impressive performance in Brainerd, Funny Car’s Blake Alexander continued his strong performance in Indy, racing to the No. 1 spot with a run of 3.890 at 327.82 in his 11,000-horsepower Pronto Auto Service Center Ford Mustang. Alexander won in Brainerd with a string of standout performances and now has a chance to earn his first career No. 1 qualifier. That was the case in Brainerd, too, when Alexander was the provisional top qualifier. He didn’t end up in the top spot there, but Alexander has another great opportunity in Indy, feeling confident about what the Head Racing team continues to deliver.

“We feel good about this,” Alexander said. “I think we thought it was going to be a little slower out there at first, and then we got up there and quite frankly I think we saw Cruz run 3.90 and then we opened it up a little bit. Every race team out here needed to do well today and the ones who excelled like we did will be in a much better position Monday morning, which is ultimately what we come here for.

“If you want to win Indy, you need to put yourself in a good position. This isn't an easy drag race to win, it never has been and never will be. We're in a good spot right now, that really doesn't mean much because there are a lot of good race cars out here and people can eclipse you.”

Cruz Pedregon performed well on Friday, going to second with a 3.901 at 325.53 and Jack Beckman is right behind in third after a run of 3.903 at 322.81.

Greg Anderson is used to plenty success at The Big Go and he’s off to a good start at the 70th annual race, taking over the No. 1 spot after going 6.621 at 206.23 in his HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro. No current driver in Pro Stock has won in Indy as much as Anderson, with his seventh victory coming in 2022. It also happened to be his 100th career win and the five-time world champion continues to go strong, with Friday’s run putting him in line for a fifth No. 1 this season and the 129th in his career. Anderson, though, is well aware a lot can change between now and Monday.

“Normally when we come here, the Friday night run sets the field,” Anderson said. ‘You get your Friday night shot under the lights, the track cools down, everybody goes out there and throws down. Nine times out of 10 it ends up holding up throughout the weekend, but it doesn't look like that's going to be the case. It's going to cool down quite a bit the next couple of days, but we wanted to come here tonight and just get some data. This was a bonus. There's a lot of room left, it wasn't really a clean run, so I was shocked when they told me I got the No. 1 spot.

“I can't wait to get here every year. I have a lot of favorite tracks, a lot of tracks I love to race at and feel good at, but this is still the one that means the most to me.”

Enders took second with a 6.621 at 206.13 and Aaron Stanfield is currently third on the strength of his 6.630 at 204.88.

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Angie Smith made the biggest move to kick off qualifying at the Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals, going 6.883 at 197.10 on her Denso Auto Parts Buell to grab the provisional No. 1 spot. Should that hold, Smith would pick up her first No. 1 qualifier of the season and third in her career and it would certainly come at the perfect time. Entering Indy sixth in points, Smith lost in the first round in back-to-back races leading into Indy. But after a strong test session, Smith feels good about where the bike is now at heading into a crucial part of the season – and at the world’s biggest drag race.

“We got rid of my other bike, that's what happened,” Smith said. “I got a brand-new bike. Every single part of that motorcycle is brand new except for me. I was glad to get a new bike. Coming to Indy without a full run on a brand-new motorcycle is kind of nerve-wracking but it all worked out.

“My mindset coming into this race, I just wanted to do well and make good laps to prepare me for the Countdown. The middle of the season has not been a stellar performance for me and I have expected a lot better performance for myself and from the bike and we weren't getting it. The boys have been working extremely hard back in the shop, and for me to get a No. 1, I feel like it kind of repays them a little bit for all the hard work.”

Her husband, Matt, who has won the last two races at The Big Go – and the most recent race in Sonoma – is currently second after going 6.895 at 197.74 and Gaige Herrera grabbed the third position on Friday thanks to a run of 6.929 at 195.90.

Qualifying continues at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday at the Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.

Indy Friday Results Summary

Top Fuel -- 1. Brittany Force, 3.740 seconds, 334.32 mph; 2. Antron Brown, 3.759, 330.63; 3. Billy Torrence, 3.792, 331.45; 4. Shawn Reed, 3.795, 326.63; 5. Ida Zetterstrom, 3.801, 326.00; 6. Jasmine Salinas, 3.814, 317.64; 7. Clay Millican, 3.816, 293.54; 8. Tony Stewart, 3.839, 319.52; 9. Dan Mercier, 3.847, 309.27; 10. Krista Baldwin, 3.863, 285.29; 11. T.J. Zizzo, 3.902, 266.32; 12. Lex Joon, 4.026, 259.96; 13. Tripp Tatum, 4.473, 174.21; 14. Doug Kalitta, 4.609, 165.84; 15. Shawn Langdon, 4.773, 152.11; 16. Tony Schumacher, 4.896, 146.77. Not Qualified: 17. Josh Hart, 5.502, 120.20; 18. Doug Foley, 5.863, 108.32; 19. Steve Torrence, 5.984, 107.15; 20. Justin Ashley, 6.016, 103.77.

Funny Car -- 1. Blake Alexander, Ford Mustang, 3.890, 327.82; 2. Cruz Pedregon, Dodge Charger, 3.901, 325.53; 3. Jack Beckman, Chevy Camaro, 3.903, 322.81; 4. Austin Prock, Camaro, 3.926, 320.36; 5. J.R. Todd, Toyota GR Supra, 3.969, 320.28; 6. Bobby Bode, Mustang, 3.986, 292.58; 7. Alexis DeJoria, GR Supra, 3.987, 324.05; 8. Ron Capps, GR Supra, 3.997, 300.73; 9. Paul Lee, Charger, 4.004, 293.28; 10. Chad Green, Mustang, 4.025, 300.00; 11. Daniel Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.026, 313.58; 12. Dale Creasy Jr., Charger, 4.055, 315.27; 13. Chris King, Charger, 4.079, 302.21; 14. Buddy Hull, Charger, 4.140, 306.05; 15. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 4.171, 230.96; 16. Dave Richards, Toyota Camry, 4.502, 205.72. Not Qualified: 17. Matt Hagan, 4.837, 164.59; 18. Justin Schriefer, 6.801, 99.59.

Pro Stock -- 1. Greg Anderson, Chevy Camaro, 6.621, 206.23; 2. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.621, 206.13; 3. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.630, 204.88; 4. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.639, 205.98; 5. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.647, 206.83; 6. Fernando Cuadra Jr., Camaro, 6.654, 206.64; 7. Troy Coughlin Jr., Camaro, 6.657, 206.64; 8. Cristian Cuadra, Ford Mustang, 6.657, 205.88; 9. Mason McGaha, Camaro, 6.663, 205.91; 10. Jerry Tucker, Camaro, 6.665, 205.54; 11. Sienna Wildgust, Camaro, 6.678, 207.37; 12. Eric Latino, Camaro, 6.685, 206.04; 13. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.685, 205.26; 14. Camrie Caruso, Camaro, 6.689, 205.66; 15. Cory Reed, Camaro, 6.710, 206.13; 16. David Cuadra, Camaro, 6.710, 204.88. Not Qualified: 17. Kenny Delco, 6.724, 205.41; 18. Larry Morgan, 6.733, 205.85; 19. Derrick Reese, 6.738, 200.17; 20. Chris McGaha, 7.109, 168.62; 21. Matt Hartford, 7.342, 140.14.

Pro Stock Motorcycle -- 1. Angie Smith, Buell, 6.883, 197.10; 2. Matt Smith, Buell, 6.895, 197.74; 3. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.929, 195.90; 4. Jianna Evaristo, Buell, 6.939, 198.15; 5. Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.964, 194.88; 6. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.970, 193.54; 7. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 7.001, 192.82; 8. Hector Arana Jr, EBR, 7.032, 197.22; 9. Marc Ingwersen, EBR, 7.055, 186.82; 10. Ryan Oehler, EBR, 7.097, 188.28; 11. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 7.123, 191.51; 12. Geno Scali, Suzuki, 7.134, 192.14; 13. Ron Tornow, Victory, 7.141, 188.33; 14. Wesley Wells, Suzuki, 7.479, 178.90; 15. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 16.315, 40.68.

Indy Full Friday Results

TOP FUEL: Psn---Num-Driver, Home Town, Car Type---------------Qual-ET--Qual-Spd-Top Spd 1 7 Brittany Force, Yorba Linda CA, JFR-JFR 3.740 334.32 334.32 2 6 Antron Brown, Pittsboro IN, PBRC-DSM 3.759 330.63 330.63 3 474 Billy Torrence, Kilgore TX, MLR-AJPE 3.792 331.45 331.45 4 716 Shawn Reed, Defiance MO, MLR-AJPE 3.795 326.63 326.63 5 39 Ida Zetterstrom, Avon IN, DSR-DSM 3.801 326.00 326.00 6 616 Jasmine Salinas, Brownsburg IN, MLR-AJPE 3.814 317.64 317.64 7 51 Clay Millican, Drummonds TN, DSR-DSR 3.816 293.54 293.54 8 14 Tony Stewart, Columbus IN, PBRC-DSM 3.839 319.52 319.52 9 182 Dan Mercier, St-Michel PQ, DSR-AJPE 3.847 309.27 309.27 10 725 Krista Baldwin, Pittsboro IN, Bounty Hunter-TFX 3.863 285.29 285.29 11 317 T.J. Zizzo, Lincolnshire IL, DSR-TFX 3.902 266.32 266.32 12 222 Lex Joon, Indianapolis IN, McKinney-AJPE 4.026 259.96 259.96 13 144 Tripp Tatum, Danville IN, MLR-AJPE 4.473 174.21 174.21 14 1 Doug Kalitta, Saline MI, Bounty Hunter-AJPE 4.609 165.84 165.84 15 333 Shawn Langdon, Danville IN, PBRC-AJPE 4.773 152.11 152.11 16 9 Tony Schumacher, Lakeway TX, DSM-DSM 4.896 146.77 146.77 ------------ Not Qualified ------------ 17 77 Josh Hart, Ocala FL, MLR-DSM 5.502 120.20 120.20 18 1301 Doug Foley, Mooresville NC, MLR-AJPE 5.863 108.32 108.32 19 2 Steve Torrence, Kilgore TX, MLR-TFX 5.984 107.15 107.15 20 4 Justin Ashley, Farmingdale NY, PBRC-DSM 6.016 103.77 103.77

FUNNY CAR: 1 256 Blake Alexander, Charlotte NC, '22 Mustang 3.890 327.82 327.82 2 71 Cruz Pedregon, Brownsburg IN, '22 Charger 3.901 325.53 325.53 3 7 Jack Beckman, Yorba Linda CA, '23 Camaro 3.903 322.81 322.81 4 374 Austin Prock, Brownsburg IN, '23 Camaro 3.926 320.36 320.36 5 8 J.R. Todd, Jupiter FL, '22 GR Supra 3.969 320.28 320.28 6 3095 Bobby Bode, Deer Park IL, '18 Mustang 3.986 292.58 292.58 7 771 Alexis DeJoria, Austin TX, '24 GR Supra 3.987 324.05 324.05 8 4 Ron Capps, Carlsbad CA, '23 GR Supra 3.997 300.73 300.73 9 116 Paul Lee, Anaheim CA, '20 Charger 4.004 293.28 293.28 10 5 Chad Green, Midland TX, '24 Mustang 4.025 300.00 300.00 11 348 Daniel Wilkerson, Springfield IL, '24 Mustang 4.026 313.58 313.58 12 302 Dale Creasy Jr., Beecher IL, '18 Charger 4.055 315.27 315.27 13 343 Chris King, Chicago IL, '16 Charger 4.079 302.21 302.21 14 10 Buddy Hull, Dallas TX, '24 Charger 4.140 306.05 306.05 15 3 Bob Tasca III, Cranston RI, '23 Mustang 4.171 230.96 230.96 16 139 Dave Richards, Wellington FL, '18 Camry 4.502 205.72 205.72 ------------ Not Qualified ------------ 17 14 Matt Hagan, Christiansburg VA, '24 Charger 4.837 164.59 164.59 18 3007 Justin Schriefer, Grant Park IL, '14 Charger 6.801 99.59 99.59

PRO STOCK: 1 2 Greg Anderson, Mooresville NC, '22 Camaro 6.621 206.23 206.23 2 1 Erica Enders, Houston TX, '24 Camaro 6.621 206.13 206.13 3 4 Aaron Stanfield, Bossier City LA, '23 Camaro 6.630 204.88 204.88 4 6 Dallas Glenn, Mooresville NC, '22 Camaro 6.639 205.98 205.98 5 25 Jeg Coughlin, Delaware OH, '23 Camaro 6.647 206.83 206.83 6 406M Fernando Cuadra Jr., Leon MX, '21 Camaro 6.654 206.64 206.64 7 5 Troy Coughlin Jr., Delaware OH, '22 Camaro 6.657 206.64 206.64 8 10 Cristian Cuadra, Leon MX, '23 Mustang 6.657 205.88 205.88 9 400 Mason McGaha, Odessa TX, '22 Camaro 6.663 205.91 205.91 10 494 Jerry Tucker, Lindsay OK, '22 Camaro 6.665 205.54 205.54 11 68 Sienna Wildgust, Sebringville ON, '22 Camaro 6.678 207.37 207.37 12 193 Eric Latino, Cornelius NC, '22 Camaro 6.685 206.04 206.04 13 52 Deric Kramer, Parker CO, '20 Camaro 6.685 205.26 205.26 14 14 Camrie Caruso, Denver NC, '22 Camaro 6.689 205.66 205.66 15 574 Cory Reed, Mooresville NC, '19 Camaro 6.710 206.13 206.13 16 411M David Cuadra, Leon MX, '19 Camaro 6.710 204.88 204.88 ------------ Not Qualified ------------ 17 150 Kenny Delco, E. Setauket NY, '20 Camaro 6.724 205.41 205.41 18 37 Larry Morgan, Newark OH, '19 Camaro 6.733 205.85 205.85 19 3388 Derrick Reese, Canal Fulton OH, '18 Mustang 6.738 200.17 200.17 20 4264 Chris McGaha, Odessa TX, '22 Camaro 7.109 168.62 168.62 21 3 Matt Hartford, Phoenix AZ, '16 Camaro 7.342 140.14 140.14

PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE: 1 8 Angie Smith, King NC, Buell 1190RX 6.883 197.10 197.10 2 4 Matt Smith, King NC, Buell 1190RX 6.895 197.74 197.74 3 1 Gaige Herrera, DeMotte IN, Suzuki Hayabusa 6.929 195.90 195.90 4 5 Jianna Evaristo, San Jose CA, Buell 1190RX 6.939 198.15 198.15 5 23 Richard Gadson, Avon IN, Suzuki Hayabusa 6.964 194.88 194.88 6 9 Chase Van Sant, Pella IA, Suzuki TL 6.970 193.54 193.54 7 17 Chris Bostick, Mount Juliet TN, Suzuki Hayabusa 7.001 192.82 192.82 8 3 Hector Arana Jr, East Northport NY, EBR 7.032 197.22 197.22 9 7 Marc Ingwersen, Findlay OH, EBR 7.055 186.82 186.82 10 3284 Ryan Oehler, Bloomington IL, EBR 7.097 188.28 188.28 11 6 Steve Johnson, Birmingham AL, Suzuki Hayabusa 7.123 191.51 191.51 12 351 Geno Scali, Lake in the Hills IL, Suzuki 7.134 192.14 192.14 13 1138 Ron Tornow, Pittsburgh PA, Victory 7.141 188.33 188.33 14 371 Wesley Wells, Greenwood IN, Suzuki GSXR 7.479 178.90 178.90 15 10 Kelly Clontz, Hughesville MD, Suzuki TL 16.315 40.68 40.68

w/ NHRA Communications