It’s been a while since a Densham led Funny Car qualifying but for second-generation drag racer Steven Densham, the timing was perfect on Friday.

Densham, the son of Funny Car legend Gary Densham, was the provisional AA/Funny Car low qualifier after one session at the 19th annual California Hot Rod Reunion at Auto Club Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield, Ca.

“I'm surprised it held,” said Densham of his 5.855 elapsed time at 235.97 miles per hour. “There were some others behind us who could have run a lot faster. We figured we would be at least fourth at the worst.”

It’s been a while since a Densham led Funny Car qualifying but for second-generation drag racer Steven Densham, the timing was perfect on Friday.

Densham, the son of Funny Car legend Gary Densham, was the provisional AA/Funny Car low qualifier after one session at the 19th annual California Hot Rod Reunion at Auto Club Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield, Ca.

“I'm surprised it held,” said Densham of his 5.855 elapsed time at 235.97 miles per hour. “There were some others behind us who could have run a lot faster. We figured we would be at least fourth at the worst.”

Other low qualifiers on the first day included Jim Murphy [Top Fuel], Bob Lander [Jr. Fuel], Dean Lindsey [A/Gas], Lynsi Martinez [A/FX] and Alan Hull [NE-1].

The 5.85 represented a personal best for Densham by almost a tenth of a second.

“I drove it out a lot further than I usually do on the shift,” Densham admitted. “I could definitely feel the car was on a run. I’m pretty happy because I didn’t hit anything. This was the first time I had ever raced this car here at Bakersfield. I was most happy the car went to the finish line under power.”

Trailing Densham was Paul Romine followed by Jason Rupert [sharing a trailer with Densham], Lee-Paul Jennings and Tim Boychuk.

Bob Godfrey sits on the 16-car bubble with a 6.091. Dale Pulde is first alternate while point leader Leah Pruett-LeDuc was shut off after her car over-revved the engine on the burnout.

Murphy was tops amongst the sixteen AA/FD cars racing in Nostalgia Top Fuel. He scored the top spot with a 5.801 elapsed time 230.35 miles per hour. Following Murphy was the trio of Rick White, Brad Thompson and Rick McGee.

Bob Lander was tops in Jr. Fuel with a 7.005.

Qualifying resumes on Saturday morning at 8:30 with A/Gas. Both Funny Car and Top Fuel have their final qualifying sessions beginning at Noon. First round of eliminations are slated to begin at 3:30 PM for the nitro classes.

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