Courtney Force, Alexis DeJoria pick up pace at NHRA Winternationals

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Rookie funny car drivers Courtney Force and Alexis DeJoria both ran slightly faster times Friday in the second round of qualifying for this weekend’s NHRA Winternationals in Pomona.

DeJoria jumped to the seventh-fastest spot after a pass Friday of 4.198 seconds and 300.40 mph, an improvement over her initial qualifying run Thursday of 4.438 seconds.

Force also improved slightly with a run of 4.199 seconds and 307.09 mph; she had traveled the 1,000-foot drag strip at 4.210 seconds in first-round qualifying Thursday.

“I’m just having so much fun out here,” Force said. “We’re just trying to step it up on each run. Hopefully we’ll get it going a little quicker tomorrow.”

Force’s father, 15-time funny car champion John Force, was sixth after the second round, and Bob Tasca III was the provisional No. 1 qualifier after he shot down the track in 4.109 seconds at 309.34 mph.

The 16 fastest cars after the third round of qualifying Saturday advance to the final eliminations Sunday.

In the top-fuel division, defending Winternationals winner Morgan Lucas retained the No. 1 qualifying spot at 3.832 seconds and 320.28 mph.

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-- Jim Peltz