Beckman, Hagan third and fourth to lead DSR Funny Cars while teammate Schumacher third in Top Fuel at Maple Grove

READING, PA – After chilly and wet weather a year ago at the NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway created record-breaking racing conditions, racers were greeted by mid-80s and sunny skies on Friday at the fabled track near Reading that was ideal for fans and pretty good for racers.

Reigning world champion Jack Beckman in the Odyssey Battery Dodge Charger R/T was the quickest for Don Schumacher Racing and holds the No. 3 provisional qualifying position with a run of 4.034 seconds at 318.99 mph.

Right on his bumper is Matt Hagan’s time of 4.035 (319.45) to put the Mopar/Rocky Boots Dodge fourth heading to Saturday’s last two qualifying sessions before championship eliminations on Sunday. DSR teammates Johnny Gray is fifth for Alex’s Lemonade Stand and NAPA AUTO PARTS’ Ron Capps is 12th.

In Top Fuel, seven-time world champion Tony Schumacher and the U.S. Army team leads DSR with a time of 3.778 (323.97), which ranks third, and Antron Brown’s Matco Tools’ Tools for a Cause team is qualified fifth at 3.793 (321.27). Spencer Massey is 10th for Battery Extender Powered by Schumacher at 3.845 (319.98).

Until Friday, Hagan held sole possession of the No. 1 spot in Funny Car for the last 13 events since taking over the top spot on early in the June 2 at Englishtown, N.J.

Hagan started Friday six points ahead of John Force, but Force was quickest in both sessions – including a 3.987-second blast in the second session – that enabled Force to pull into a tie with Hagan for the points lead.