Terry Chandler’s Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T qualifies fifth to open Thunder Valley Nationals at picturesque Bristol, Tenn., track on Friday.

Pritchett, Papa John’s dragster, Sandvik Coromant Dodge with Hagan save disappointing day for DSR in Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol 

BRISTOL, TN – Don Schumacher Racing didn’t fare well in qualifying Friday for the second straight week when temperatures were hot and the air was muggy, but at least Leah Pritchett and the Papa John’s Pizza Top Fuel Dragster team and Matt Hagan and the Sandvik Coromant 2017 Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car salvaged opening day of the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol, Tenn.

Pritchett and Hagan, both three-time winners this year in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series for DSR Powered by Pennzoil, were the third and fifth quickest, respectively, heading to Saturday’s last two scheduled qualifying sessions heading to the following day’s championship eliminations.

Pritchett with crew chief Todd Okuhara and assistant Joe Barlam recorded a best time of 3.817 seconds at 274.33 mph in the first session while Hagan with crew chief Dickie Venables and assistant Michael Knudsen recorded their best run of 3.984 (323.81) in the second of two evening sessions.

Pritchett and Hagan, both three-time winners this year in the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series for DSR, were the third and fifth quickest, respectively, heading to Saturday’s last two scheduled qualifying sessions heading to the following day’s championship eliminations.

The most surprising performances of the day for DSR were not what the seven-team juggernaut is accustomed.

Funny Car points leaders Ron Capps, the reigning world champ and four-time winner this year with the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge are in the No. 14 provisional qualifying spot after being runner-up at Epping, N.H., on Sunday. Three-time and reigning Top Fuel world champ Antron Brown, who took the points leads after finishing runner-up last week, is a surprising 15th.

While it’s likely the lower-seeded DSR teams will improve on Saturday, it will be challenging to take over the poles as the day’s qualifying sessions are scheduled for 1:30 and 4 p.m. (EDT) in the heat of afternoon when the forecast high is for the low to mid 80s with a 40 percent of late afternoon scattered thunderstorms.

DSR TOP FUEL DRAGSTERS
Provisional No. 1 qualifier: Doug Kalitta (Kalitta Motorsports) 3.781 sec., 326.71 mph

LEAH PRITCHETT, Papa John’s Pizza Top Fuel dragster
Crew chief: Todd Okuhara; Assistant: Joe Barlam
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Provisional qualifying position: No. 3
FRIDAY: 3.842 sec., 309.34 mph, (Session 1); 3.817, 274.33, (Session 2)
BY THE NUMBERS
Best Time, Speed: 3.658 sec.-world record (2017, Phoenix); 330.23 mph (2017, Topeka)
Last event (June 11), Englishtown, N.J.: Qualified No. 9, lost in first round to Tony Schumacher
A year ago at Bristol: Qualified No. 5, lost in first round to Richie Crampton
Career at Bristol: Wins 0, Runner-ups 0, Poles 0

TONY SCHUMACHER, U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster
Crew chief: Mike Green; Assistant: Phil Shuler
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Provisional qualifying position: No. 5
FRIDAY: 3.869 sec., 310.98 mph, (Session 1); 5.004, 145.34, (Session 2)
BY THE NUMBERS
Best Time, Speed: 3.660 sec. (2017, Topeka); 332.51 mph (2016, Brainerd)
Last event (June 11), Englishtown, N.J.: Qualified No. 6, lost in second round to Doug Kalitta
A year ago at Bristol: Qualified No. 8, lost in championship round to Shawn Langdon
Career at Bristol: Wins 5 (2004, 2008-10, 2012); Runner-ups 2 (2001, 2016); Poles 4 (2004, 2007-08, 2015)

ANTRON BROWN, Matco Tools/U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster
Crew chiefs: Brian Corradi, Mark Oswald; Assistant: Brad Mason
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Provisional qualifying position: No. 15
FRIDAY: 4.910 sec., 151.34 mph, (Session 1); 5.595, 122.42, (Session 2)
BY THE NUMBERS
Best time, speed: 3.667 (2017, Phoenix); 333.16 mph (2017, Topeka)
Last event (June 11), Englishtown, N.J.: Qualified No. 1, lost in championship round to Steve Torrence
A year ago at Bristol: Qualified No. 2, lost in second round to Tony Schumacher
Career at Bristol: Wins 0; Runner-ups 1 (2011); Poles 1 (2010)

DSR FUNNY CARS
Provisional No. 1 qualifier: Tim Wilkerson (Tim Wilkerson Motorsports) 3.895 sec., 328.22 mph

MATT HAGAN, Sandvik Coromant 2017 Dodge Charger R/T
Crew chief: Dickie Venables; Assistant: Michael Knudsen
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Provisional qualifying position: No. 5
FRIDAY: 6.060 sec., 119.59 mph, (Session 1); 3.984, 323.81, (Session 2)
BY THE NUMBERS
Best Time, Speed: 3.802 sec. (world record, (2017,Topeka); 338.85 mph (world record, 2017, Topeka)
Last event (June 11), Englishtown, N.J.: Qualified No. 9, lost in second round to Courtney Force
A year ago at Bristol: Qualified No. 4, lost in championship round to Tommy Johnson Jr.
Career at Bristol: Wins 1 (2015); Runner-ups 1 (2016); Poles 0

JACK BECKMAN, Terry Chandler’s Infinite Hero 2017 Dodge Charger R/T
Crew chiefs: Dean Antonelli, John Medlen, Neal Strausbaugh
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Provisional qualifying position: No. 6
FRIDAY: 4.162 sec., 251.49 mph, (Session 1); 4.000, 322.96, (Session 2)
BY THE NUMBERS
Best Time, Speed: 3.825 sec., (2016 Pomona 2); 334.15 mph (Seattle 2016)
Last event (June 11), Englishtown, N.J.: Qualified No. 4, won in championship round over Ron Capps
A year ago at Bristol: Qualified No. 9, lost in second round to Ron Capps
Career at Bristol: Wins 0; Runner-ups 1 (2011); Poles 0

TOMMY JOHNSON JR., Terry Chandler’s Make-A-Wish 2017 Dodge Charger R/T
Crew chief: John Collins; Assistant: Rip Reynolds
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Provisional qualifying position: No. 9
FRIDAY: 4.050 sec., 309.49 mph, (Session 1); 4.092, 277.26, (Session 2)
BY THE NUMBERS
Best Time, Speed: 3.837 sec. (Phoenix 2017); 330.80 mph (Seattle, 2016)
Last event (June 11), Englishtown, N.J.: Qualified No. 7, lost in second round to Robert Hight
A year ago at Bristol: Qualified No. 6, won in championship round over Matt Hagan
Career at Bristol: Wins 2 (2014, 2016); Runner-ups 0; Poles 0

RON CAPPS, NAPA AUTO PARTS 2017 Dodge Charger R/T
Crew chief: Rahn Tobler; Assistant: Eric Lane
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Provisional qualifying position: No. 14
FRIDAY: 5.300 sec., 138.41 mph, (Session 1); 5.738, 124.97, (Session 2)
BY THE NUMBERS
Best Time, Speed: 3.839 sec. (2017, Phoenix); 333.58 mph (2017, Phoenix)
Last event (June 11), Englishtown, N.J.: Qualified No. 3, lost in championship round to Jack Beckman
A year ago at Bristol: Qualified No. 1, lost in semifinals to Matt Hagan
Career at Bristol: Wins 3 (2001, 2006, 2012); Runner-ups 1 (2015); Poles 1 (2016