Mike Salinas tops qualifying at NHRA Northwest Nationals

KENT, Wash. (AP) — Mike Salinas took the No. 1 spot in Top Fuel qualifying Saturday at the NHRA Northwest Nationals.

Salinas’ run of 3.694 seconds at 327.66 mph from Friday held up at Pacific Raceways for his fourth No. 1 qualifier of the season and fifth overall. He has two event victories this season.

“Tomorrow is a different day, and you just have to go one round at a time and don’t get too far ahead of yourself or you get in trouble,” Salinas said. “The rest of the guys know we have our stuff together. Our team has their stuff together, and the driver just has to do his job and have fun with it.”

Bob Tasca III topped the Funny Car field, and Jeg Coughlin Jr. was the fastest in Pro Stock, also with Friday runs. Tasca had a career-best run of 3.871 at 330.63 in a Ford Mustang, and Coughlin ran a 6.539 at 210.57 in a Chevrolet Camaro.