Bob Tasca III drove to his third No. 1 spot this season with a spectacular run on Saturday, going 3.884 at 329.26 in his 11,000-horsepower Motorcraft Ford Mustang.

Leah Pruett (Top Fuel), Matt Hartford (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all qualified No. 1 at the ninth of 21 races during the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season.
 
It’s the 12th career top qualifier for Tasca, who will open raceday against Bobby Bode. Matt Hagan qualified third with a run of 3.892 at 327.82.
 
“I think you’ve seen this car perform at a really high level this year,” Tasca said. “We have multiple No. 1 qualifiers when the tracks are really good. We’ve struggled a little bit with consistency, and what I like this weekend even more than the No. 1 qualifier is that we ran 3.90, 3.88, and 3.90. The car was absolutely dialed in. That was the last little missing link for this team to go on a real run. You’re starting to see the consistency of the car. 
 
“This is a special track, and I love racing here. These facilities – they’re a different level. You come here and see that it’s an awesome place to race. Hopefully we can win another one here.”
 
Pruett’s run of 3.684 at 333.08 from Friday in her 11,000-horsepower Dodge Direct Connection dragster held up, handing the standout her second straight No. 1 qualifier and the 15th in her career. Now, she’ll try to pick up her first win of the season, opening eliminations against Kyle Wurtzel. Torrence qualified second with a 3.688 at 332.10 and defending world champ Brittany Force moved up to third with a 3.694 at 332.10. Joining Leah as the No. 1 qualifier was her husband, Tony Stewart, who took the top spot in Top Alcohol Dragster.

 
“I think with all the different variables that we’ve been given with weather and conditions, everyone has made the most that they’ve had,” Pruett said. “It feels absolutely great. Being No. 1 is what Tony Stewart Racing is all about and I’m glad that our Top Fuel team has been able to up our cadence and our performance to keep up with what Tony and Matt Hagan’s team has been able to do. 
 
“The beauty is that we do have really great runs, and that’s putting us in the position to gain these qualifying points and qualifying positions for a better spot to start on raceday. We would have loved to have made runs today that were spectacular, but we know we have a racecar that can the mileage on Sunday.”
 
Hartford claimed his third No. 1 qualifier this season with a 6.595 at 208.36 in his Rottler/Total Seal Camaro. It was a welcome sign after Hartford struggled mightily in Bristol two weeks ago. He resolved those issues quickly in Norwalk and will open raceday against Fernando Cuadra Sr., looking for his first win of the season. Erica Enders’ 6.595 at 208.36 puts her second heading into raceday, while Troy Coughlin is third with a 6.595 at 207.56.
 
“We’re counting every point we can. We’re looking at bonus points, qualifying No. 1 you get extra points,” Hartford said. “It’s going to mean something when you get to the Countdown as to where you end up. Name me one person in Pro Stock right now that you think can’t win the championship right now. I can’t. We need to go into that with as many points as we can. Those points right now are huge. We have a chance to win the championship, and it’s the best chance we’ve ever had.”

 
Herrera bounced back from his red light in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge, rolling to his fifth straight No. 1 qualifier with a pass of 6.785 at 198.76 on his Mission Foods/Vance & Hines Suzuki. The points leader just missed on a new track record, but takes plenty of momentum into Sunday, where he’ll attempt to get his fourth win this year. Matt Smith qualified second with a 6.806 at 199.17, with Arana Jr.’s 6.814 at 199.14 putting him third.
 
“After going red in Bristol and then going red today in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge definitely took the wind out of my sails a little bit,” Herrera said. “To bounce back and get a No. 1 qualifier – we’re still holding that streak so I’m happy for that, overall, for the whole team. 
 
“I started off with an incredible season, you can’t ask for anything better. I knew there would be bumps in the road. In Bristol, I was telling everyone I wasn’t feeling it, something was going to happen, and it did. I think you just come back from it and grow from it.”
 
Eliminations for the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals begin at 10 a.m. ET on Sunday at Summit Motorsports Park.