Todd Paton, Kenny Lang, Rob Mansfield and Rob Atchison Also Provisional Top Qualifiers

Dale Creasy Jr. helped his bid to maintain the lead in the Knoll Gas – Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Funny Car class Friday during the Amalie Oil North American Nationals presented by New England Dodge Dealers, blasting a 4.852/311.92 track record-setting pass to claim the provisional No. 1 qualifying spot. Todd Paton (Top Fuel), Kenny Lang (Pro Modified), Rob Mansfield (Pro Stock) and Rob Atchison (Alcohol Funny Car) also claimed provisional top spots.

Creasy, Beecher,Ill., who made the best pass of any car during the night session, is followed in qualifying by Jack Wyatt and Paul Lee. Bob Gilbertson, Charlotte, N.C., was on a 5.023-second run but the pass was disqualified when he crossed the centerline.

“We knew the track was good, the air here is phenomenal, and that’s a lethal combination,” said Creasy. “You can really get yourself in trouble when the conditions are just right and you overpower the car. But we decided to just do what we know how to do and it worked out to make a great run.”