Nearly 600 racers in 10 categories took to the strip at Beech Bend
Raceway Park during qualifying and time trials for the NHRA North
Central division’s Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event. Defending event
champion Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., blasted the field in Top Alcohol
Dragster to move into the No. 1 spot while Gainesville, Ga., racer
Steve Harker moved into the top spot in Top Alcohol Funny Car.
Reichert peeled off a 5.262-second, 265.64 mph blast to move knock
Robin Samsel of Marion, Ind., out of the No. 1 position. Samsel did
not improve on Friday’s 5.370-second, 262.39 mph effort.
Harker moved up from the No. 3 spot with a 5.621-second, 255.48 mph run
while Andy Bohl, Racine, Wis., also improved, moving from the No. 6
slot to No. 2 with a 5.680-second, 255.10 mph run. Friday’s best
qualifier, Chris Foster of Davenport, Iowa, failed to surpass his
initial 5.684-second, 251.53 mph lap.