GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Ron Capps topped the primary spherical of Humorous Automotive qualifying Friday within the NHRA Tenting World Drag Racing Collection’ season-opening Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway, whereas 71-year-old John Drive struggled in his return.

Capps had a go of three.895 seconds at 329.02 mph in a Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat.

“It simply feels nice,” Capps mentioned. “It is nearly like we will dial in a bracket automotive right here to date. I am truthfully tickled. We already knew this was an amazing automotive. There’s not so much I can do aside from be myself and drive the automotive the most effective I can. Unloading with a provisional No. 1 qualifier is nice. What an ideal time to go up and present up.”

Drive smoked the tires on his Chevrolet Camaro in a 4.456 at 207.94. The 16-time champion and patriarch of drag racing’s first household opted to not race when the NHRA returned in July following a five-month break. It was a enterprise determination made to salvage an organization he constructed over 5 a long time.

Steve Torrence led in High Gas, Erica Enders in Professional Inventory and Angelle Sampey in Professional Inventory Motorbike.

Torrence, the three-time defending collection champion, ran 3.699 at 324.90. Again-to-back champion Enders drove to the highest spot in a Camaro with a 6.528 at 210.77. Sampey had a 6.746 at 196.67 on a Suzuki.