Del Worsham rode a set of the new Goodyear tires to the number one qualifying spot in the SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas.

Worsham's 4.187 second, 297.75 mph pass in his '10 Toyota Solara, his second on the new Goodyear tire, was eight thousands of a second quicker than Ashley Force Hood's second round qualifying effort on Friday.

The pole is Worsham's fifth on his career, but his first since Reading in 2007.

Del Worsham rode a set of the new Goodyear tires to the number one qualifying spot in the SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas.

Worsham's 4.187 second, 297.75 mph pass in his '10 Toyota Solara, his second on the new Goodyear tire, was eight thousands of a second quicker than Ashley Force Hood's second round qualifying effort on Friday.

The pole is Worsham's fifth on his career, but his first since Reading in 2007.

“The 4.18 is surprising but it's not a shocker,” said Worsham. “Had you seen our runs yesterday you wouldn't have been quite as shocked today.”

Worsham has struggled this year, and last, to find consistency in his Toyota. The addition of Dickie Venables as crew chief, and changes in the steering have worked to improve both the driver's and team's confidence.

“The confidence has definitely been building. I'm still a little bit worried about the fact we have to go down the track four times tomorrow. We haven't been down the track half the time today. We really need to work making sure we're consistent.”

While Worsham admits he didn't notice a difference in the new tire versus the old tire, he felt the new tire came into play in his final qualifying attempt.

“As much as I don't want to tell the competition we were on the new Goodyear tire and it seems to be sticking. Larry's (Dixon) is on it and his car is sticking well. It definitely doesn't hurt us. If anything, possibly, it's as good or better than the old tire.”

More importantly than the tire, Worsham is happy with recent modifications to the car.

“Right now, we made some adjustments in handling,” said Worsham. “I've had a little bit of trouble driving this car since we first put it together. It's a little different configuration that what I had been driving the rest of my career. Up through Gainesville I was just having a heck of a time with this thing. We made some modifications and now when I turn the wheel it goes in the direction I want it to go.”

On this day, Worsham wanted the car to go to the top of the heap and there it went.