The opening round of nitro qualifying at the 68th Bakersfield March Meet set the tone Friday at Famoso Dragstrip, where Tyler Hilton and Todd Plate paced their respective categories as teams began the process of dialing in their combinations at one of drag racing’s most historic venues.
Hilton led Nostalgia Top Fuel with a 5.082-second run at 202.61 mph, while Plate powered to a 5.485 at 253.23 mph to top the Nostalgia Funny Car field with the quickest run ever recorded for that style of machine.
The early numbers came during a session where several teams showed strong potential but also encountered the mechanical challenges that are common in nitro racing.
Hilton’s pass put the Great Expectations team in control of Nostalgia Top Fuel after the first qualifying attempt, though the run ended earlier than planned because of a mechanical issue.
“Yeah. We were on a better run than that and it had a little parts failure, so we’re assessing the damage now and going to fix it and get it ready for tomorrow,” Hilton said. “5:80, it just shut off early, it was on a low 60 run, but yeah, we had a little issue, so that’s where we’re at.”
Despite the shortened run, the performance still placed Hilton comfortably at the top of the order heading into Saturday’s remaining qualifying sessions.
The result also reinforced the unpredictable nature of the March Meet, where strong runs often come with the risk of mechanical wear in vintage nitro combinations.
“Well, no one ever likes setbacks, but we’re just rolling with it and going to fix it and have it ready,” Hilton said. “I mean, that’s all we can do, is try as hard as we can and get it ready.”
Frank McBee Jr. moved into the No. 2 position in Nostalgia Top Fuel with a 5.956-second pass at 213.67 mph.
Bobby Cottrell followed with a 6.076 at 225.50 mph, while veteran Adam Sorokin recorded a 6.123 at 218.44 mph to sit fourth.
Brendan Murry’s 6.243 at 177.83 mph rounded out the field after the first qualifying opportunity.
Even with the early mechanical issue, Hilton believes the team still has the potential to improve during Saturday’s sessions.
“Well, the track’s always great out here,” Hilton said. “I feel like I’m driving pretty well.”
Hilton said the team remains focused on positioning itself for eliminations rather than chasing a headline qualifying number.
“And we just get this behind us and tomorrow will be a better day,” Hilton said. “And hopefully we’ll go into it number one after three sessions and try to win this deal, because we’ve run it up three times, and we’re just ready to seal the deal here. So that’s where we’re at.”
While Hilton led the Nostalgia Top Fuel field, the most notable performance of the session came in Nostalgia Funny Car.
Plate’s 5.485-second run placed the Problem Child entry at the top of the field and reset expectations for the weekend.
The run also marked the team’s first full pass since a crash during last year’s California Hot Rod Reunion.
“I’ve got goosebumps right now,” Plate said. “After coming back, that was the first full pass after crashing at the reunion.”
Plate credited the crew for returning the car to competitive form after the offseason rebuild.
“We ran a 55 and a 56 and then crashed,” Plate said. “So, I’ve been pretty calm this weekend. It’s almost like slow down, Eddie’s got it.”
Plate said the team did not anticipate running that quickly in the opening session but capitalized on favorable conditions.
“The crew did a phenomenal job,” Plate said. “I mean, just remarkable. I can’t. I’m at a loss for words.”
The run was not entirely trouble-free as the team later discovered minor engine damage.
“But it’s just when it’s right,” Plate said. “It nipped two pistons on that run, so the mile per hour’s down a bit, but boy, it was just a smooth run.”
Jon Capps moved into the No. 2 position in Nostalgia Funny Car with a 5.507-second run at 265.33 mph.
Jeff Arend followed with a 5.549 at 259.29 mph, while Shane Westerfield recorded a 5.560 to sit fourth.
Cory Lee posted a 5.643 at 259.59 mph to round out the top five, while Brad Thompson currently anchors the 16-car field with a 6.042.
The performances suggested that several teams remain capable of challenging for the top spot as qualifying continues.
Fuel Altered also delivered a tight field after the opening session.
Vince Karstetter led the class with a 6.117 at 215.00 mph, followed by Dylan Winefsky’s 6.144 at 182.88 mph.
Brandon Seraphine posted a 6.154 at 189.39 mph, while James Day recorded a 6.188 at 231.06 mph.
Kyle Hough rounded out the top five with a 6.212 at 207.46 mph.
Qualifying resumes Saturday.
