Ron Capps, the reigning Funny Car world champion, made a strong statement on Friday, securing the provisional No. 1 spot at the 41st annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway. 

Joining Capps, a six-time Lucas Oil Nationals champion, in the provisional No. 1 spots are Doug Kalitta in Top Fuel and Greg Anderson in Pro Stock. The event marks the 14th out of 21 races in the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season.

Capps stopped the clocks at 3.894 seconds at 330.23 mph in his NAPA Auto Parts Toyota GR Supra.  If his position holds, it will mark his second No. 1 qualifier this season and his 38th overall in his career. Only John Force has more victories at Brainerd, making it a significant event for Capps.

“It’s hard to explain, but I love this place, a lot of great memories,” Capps said. “That was just another version of it. We had to shut the car off in the first run, and I sat there at the starting line and watched (Matt) Hagan go low ET. 

“(Crew chief) Guido (Dean Antonelli) and I had a talk [before the later session], and he said, ‘It’s going to be hot tomorrow, and I don’t want to not be in the top half – but we can’t improve. I don’t want to throw down and miss it and smoke the tires. There are 17 cars.’ But I just looked at him and said, ‘Dude, go for it. Throw down.’ He just smiled. He didn’t throw down as much, but it was enough.” 

J.R. Todd currently holds the second spot, while Matt Hagan, the points leader, sits in third place.

In the Top Fuel category, Doug Kalitta made the quickest run during the opening session, completing the quarter-mile track in 3.757 seconds at a speed of 330.31 mph in his Mac Tools dragster. Due to limited daylight, the second session was canceled, making Kalitta’s performance all the more valuable. 

With the strong showing, Kalitta is in line for his second No. 1 qualifier this season and his 52nd overall. 

“That was good. You never can tell, really, but this track is usually really good, so I was hopeful we could get down,” Kalitta said. “I’m real proud of my guys, and I can’t wait to see how it holds up for tomorrow. I’m happy for today, for sure. They do an awesome job on the track, and I’m pretty confident we’ll have two good lanes for tomorrow, so I’m looking forward to it. 

“We’re definitely hungry for a win but just making it to the final – if you can get to the final at every race, you can keep your points going. Hopefully, we’ll fall into that win category again, and this would be a great place to do it. I love coming to Brainerd. It’s always great coming back and seeing what we can do.”

Steve Torrence secured the second spot, with a time of 3.758 seconds at a speed of 328.54 mph, while Brittany Force sits in third place with a time of 3.762 seconds at 331.45 mph. Justin Ashley, the current points leader, occupies the sixth position.

The Pro Stock category witnessed a dominant performance from local hero Greg Anderson, who claimed the provisional No. 1 position. 

Anderson, a native of Duluth, Minnesota, led both qualifying sessions and ended the day with a best 6.597 seconds at 205.79 mph in his HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro. Anderson will secure his first No. 1 spot this season and the 122nd of his illustrious career if his position holds. 

“Being back home is cool,” Anderson said. “This is where I grew up, where it all started for me. It’s pretty darn cool to come back after a long four years. The facility is wonderful, the racetrack is great, the weather is great – it’s just like I remember it. It’s been a really good Friday, and we got all the points that they had to give today with two pretty much flawless runs.

“They were absolutely right on par, and I couldn’t be prouder of the guys that work on these KB Titan Chevys back here. They’re impressive. It’s time to win a race before we get into the Countdown. You have to peak at the right time, and it’s the right time going into Indy and the playoffs and here at my home track.”

Matt Hartford follows Anderson in second place, recording a time of 6.598 seconds at a speed of 205.54 mph. Erica Enders, the defending Pro Stock champion, who clinched victory in Topeka last week, occupies the third slot with a time of 6.603 seconds at 207.27 mph.

Qualifying for the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway will continue on Saturday at 12:45 p.m. CT.