Rain delayed Wednesday qualifying at the NHRA U.S. Nationals, but once skies cleared, the Sox & Martin HEMI Challenge wrapped up its qualifying sessions while Competition Eliminator, Top Dragster and Top Sportsman joined the event’s growing leaderboards.
In the HEMI Challenge, Steve Comella of Webster, N.Y., claimed the No. 1 spot with an 8.291-second pass at 161.04 mph in his 1968 Barracuda. Jason Line of Troutman, N.C., was close behind at 8.309 and 160.42, with Jimmy Daniels of Levittown, Pa., third at 8.331 and 161.34 in a ’68 Dart. Anthony Rhodes of Charleston, S.C., and Bucky Hess of Bunker Hill, W.Va., rounded out the top five.
Doug Engels of Watertown, S.D., took the early lead in Competition Eliminator with a 7.264 at 180.45 mph in his Chevy-powered dragster, running .666 seconds under his index. Donald Thomas of Amarillo, Texas, was second at 6.816, and former Pro Stock driver Rodger Brogdon of Tomball, Texas, held the third spot at 7.764. Jeremy Bailey of North Manchester, Ind., and Mike Farrell of New Albany, Ind., completed the top five.
In Top Dragster, Kevin Thorp of Knickerbocker, Texas, set the pace with a 6.114-second run at 212.86 mph in his Chevy-powered TNT dragster. He edged veteran Al Kenny of Jupiter, Fla., who posted a 6.126 at 226.16. Blake Peavler of Olney, Ill., ran 6.129 to sit third, with Jim Prevo of Mundelein, Ill., and Thomas Bayer of Cherry Valley, Calif., following in the top five.
Top Sportsman saw Bob Mandell III of Culleoka, Tenn., drive his 1955 Bel Air to the provisional No. 1 position with a 6.230 at 227.38 mph. Darian Boesch of Kenner, La., was second at 6.242 in his 2018 Camaro, followed by Jimmy Lewis of Forney, Texas, at 6.284. Dennis Dawson of Auburn, Ill., and Glenn Wright of Odessa, Texas, were fourth and fifth, respectively.
Sportsman competition will continue Thursday with Stock and Super Stock class eliminations, while additional qualifying sessions are scheduled for all categories leading into the weekend.
