The 2023 NHRA slate began strong for former nitro Funny Car world champion Robert Hight.

Hight, who pilots an entry for John Force Racing, won two of the first five races of the season.

However, the last seven races have not been great for Hight as he lost in the second round five times and first round once. His best run in that stretch was a run to the semifinals in Bristol, Tenn.

Hight is trying to change his fortunes this weekend at the Menards NHRA Nationals presented by PetArmor at Heartland Motorsports Park in Topeka, Kan.

Hight, who is behind the wheel of the Cornwell Tools/AAA Chevrolet Camaro SS this weekend, clocked a 3.948-second run at 321.19 mph to take the provisional No. 1 qualifying spot after Friday’s lone qualifying session.

“Oh, it was definitely much needed,” Hight said about his lap. “We went off last year and we ran 93 here, similar conditions, but we've been struggling, so it hasn't been cooperating with every adjustment Jimmy (Prock, his crew chief) makes. He's really set on this new clutch combination, but he believes he's been the one making the mistakes, so he beats himself up pretty bad. It was just awesome to hear the excitement in his voice when he told me what it ran. We needed that run big time. We're coming off a win at the Norwalk match race (Night of Fire) and that was good for the team, good for morale, and we ran well, so maybe things are on a little bit of an upswing for us.”

If Hight’s position holds through Saturday’s two qualifying sessions, it would be the 80th of his nitro Funny Car career and his third of the season. Hight is three-time world champion in 2009, 2017 and 2019.

“Well, it's going to be a lot hotter (Saturday), and I'd be surprised if anybody runs better than 94 with the times that we're going to be running during the day,” Hight said. “Going to be pretty hot out there and it's really about setting yourself up for race day. It's not going to do us any good to make a good run here (Friday night) and go out there (Saturday) and smoke the tires or drop cylinders or do something stupid. Two runs. We really need to make two quality runs so we're set up for Sunday and get to where we can race this thing a little better. Cornwell Tools, a new sponsor, they joined a team that won eight races last year and haven't got them a win yet, so we need to do our job for them.”

Hight arrived in Topeka, the final race at Heartland Park as it is closing, fourth in the points standings. He has had plenty of success in Topeka, with three wins to his credit (2010, 2011 and 2019).

The last two years Hight has ended his race day to boss and teammate John Force. Last year, he qualified second before facing Force in the semifinals. Hight was runner-up in 2013 and in 2018 when he lost to teammate Courtney Force in the first of four all-John Force Racing finals at Heartland Motorsports Park. Hight has also started from the No. 1 position four times in 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2010.

“A lot of history here,” Hight said about his Topeka success. “This is where I joined John Force Racing. I was telling my wife earlier I can remember sitting in the staging lanes as a crew member and I built engines. We started the car up. John complained about it sounding terrible, it was nice, cool conditions, and he just kept saying, ‘It sounded terrible.’ (Austin Coil, Force’s crew chief) was like, ‘Well, we don't really have much time and we really don't have any choice here. We either don't run or go out there and see what it'll do.’ I'm nervous as can be in the staging lane, thinking, ‘Man, I built this engine. Did I do something wrong? Is there something wrong with it?’ Because it was a brand-new engine. As it turns out, it was a quarter mile back then and it was the first 4.80 Funny Car run. Can't go by the sound.”

Other Topeka memories for Hight include him receiving his nitro Funny Car license at the facility. 

“A lot of history here, and sad to see it go, sad that this is going to be the last time we come here, because there's been a lot of cool things happen here,” Hight said. “I think I got the 200th win for John Force Racing. (Mike) Neff and I were racing, and one of us was going to be the 200th win and got that too. This place has been really good to us and hopefully it is one more time.”