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Courtney Force tops NHRA Funny Car qualifying; Clay Millican first in Top Fuel

BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Courtney Force topped Funny Car qualifying for the fifth time in the past six events and the seventh time this season Saturday at the Fitzgerald USA NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals.

Force had a 3.993-second pass at 325.92 mph Friday during her second qualifying run. The points leader has four victories this season, including three in the past four events.

"I'm really proud of my guys,'' said Force, the daughter of Funny Car great John Force. "They have been really fighting hard and they have a good thing going. We'll have to build off our runs today and yesterday and get it down there tomorrow. I'm looking forward to racing on Father's Day here at Thunder Valley.''

Clay Millican qualified first in Top Fuel, and Greg Anderson led the Pro Stock field -- also with their second runs Friday.

Millican, the defending event winner, had a 3.817 at 22.88 for his fifth No. 1 qualifier of the season. He's trying to win for the third time in four events. Anderson had a 6.674 at 205.35 for his seventh No. 1 qualifying spot of the year and 100th overall.

"The way our car went down the track today with some of the other teams struggling is pretty incredible,'' Millican said. "This has just been a great racecar for us right now, and our goal is to put four good runs in a row together for tomorrow.''

Anderson had a 6.674 at 205.35 for his seventh No. 1 qualifying spot of the year and 100th overall.