Friday qualifying at the Dodge NHRA Great Lakes Nationals presented by Mopar is taking full advantage of a picture-perfect Michigan day for drag racing. Cool air, sunshine, and a well-prepared U.S. 131 Motorsports Park racing surface have combined to create the kind of conditions racers dream about — and the time slips are rewarding the fans who came through the gates to see it happen.

Fans continue to pour into the historic facility as the numbers on the scoreboards keep getting quicker and faster. From record-setting runs in Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown to an incredibly tight Pro Stock Motorcycle field, the first qualifying sessions have already delivered standout performances.

Q1—Pro Stock Motorcycle

Angie Smith powered to a 6.737-second pass at 196.51 mph to lead a tightly packed Pro Stock Motorcycle field Friday at the Dodge NHRA Great Lakes Nationals presented by Mopar at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park.

Angie Smith set the early benchmark in Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying Friday, racing to a 6.7377-second pass at 196.51 mph to take the provisional No. 1 position at the Dodge NHRA Great Lakes Nationals presented by Mopar.

Smith put together a strong run from start to finish, covering the first 60 feet in 1.0479 seconds before reaching the eighth-mile in 4.3005 seconds at 163.87 mph. Her 6.7377 at the finish line was enough to narrowly edge Matt Smith for the top spot as NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series competition returned to Michigan.

Matt Smith was just .0026-second behind, recording a 6.7403 at 197.02 mph to sit second after the opening qualifying session.

Richard Gadson made it three riders separated by less than a hundredth of a second, powering to a 6.7468 at 200.00 mph. Gadson was also one of two riders to reach the 200-mph mark during the session.

Gaige Herrera matched Gadson's speed with a 200.00-mph run of his own, recording a 6.7603 to take the fourth position.

Ryan Oehler was fifth following a 6.7843 at 196.76 mph, while Ronald Procopio Jr. was close behind with a 6.7885 at 191.16 mph.

Chase Van Sant recorded a 6.8108 at 197.11 mph, while John Hall's 6.8178 at 179.00 mph placed him next in the qualifying order.

Steve Johnson followed with a 6.8323 at 195.99 mph, and Geno Scali recorded a 6.8531 at 197.02 mph. Clayton Howey's 6.8940 at 195.06 mph and Marc Ingwersen's 6.9332 at 192.55 mph rounded out the riders who made six-second passes in the first session.

Mathieu Dube recorded a 7.5434 at 175.64 mph, while Mark Paquette and Wesley Wells encountered trouble and did not make representative full-track runs, posting an 11.4723 and 12.1787, respectively.

With only .0226-second separating Angie Smith, Matt Smith, Gadson and Herrera at the top of the order, the opening session established a tightly packed battle for the No. 1 qualifying position as Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying continues at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park.

For Angie Smith, however, the first shot down the Michigan quarter-mile belonged to her: 6.7377 seconds, 196.51 mph, and the provisional No. 1 spot.

You’re right. Looking carefully at the screenshot, Matt Hartford’s 6.5166 at 209.79 mph is the quickest E.T. of Q1, ahead of Greg Anderson’s 6.5218. Here’s the corrected recap based strictly on elapsed time.

Q1—Pro Stock 

Matt Hartford leads Pro Stock after opening Michigan qualifying session

Matt Hartford powered to a 6.5166-second pass at 209.79 mph to lead a tightly packed Pro Stock field in Friday’s opening qualifying session at the Dodge NHRA Great Lakes Nationals presented by Mopar.

Matt Hartford made the most of ideal Michigan conditions Friday, racing to a 6.5166-second pass at 209.79 mph to take the provisional No. 1 qualifying position in Pro Stock at the Dodge NHRA Great Lakes Nationals presented by Mopar at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park.

Hartford's run was strong throughout the racetrack. His Total Seal Chevrolet Camaro covered the first 60 feet in .9786 second and reached the eighth-mile in 4.1879 seconds at 168.29 mph before stopping the clocks with the quickest elapsed time of the opening session.

Greg Anderson was Hartford's closest challenger, recording a 6.5218 at 209.11 mph to sit second, just .0052 second behind the provisional leader.

Dallas Glenn followed with a 6.5290 at 209.99 mph to take the third spot, while Cody Anderson was just behind him with a 6.5312 at 207.85 mph.

Greg Stanfield continued the tightly packed qualifying order with a 6.5345 at 209.59 mph, placing him fifth. Matt Latino was sixth with a 6.5385 at 209.50 mph and also recorded a perfect .0000 reaction time on his opening run.

Erica Enders sits seventh after a 6.5456 at 210.38 mph. Her 210.38-mph speed was matched by Jeg Coughlin Jr., who followed with a 6.5613 to take the eighth position.

Kenny Delco recorded a 6.5908 at 208.72 mph to sit ninth after the first session.

The remaining competitors will be looking to capitalize on the favorable conditions when qualifying resumes. Troy Coughlin Jr., Aaron Stanfield, Eric Latino and Shane Tucker were unable to make representative full-track runs, while Deric Kramer did not record an elapsed time.

Hartford's performance highlighted just how quick the U.S. 131 Motorsports Park surface could be on a picture-perfect Michigan Friday. The top six cars were separated by only .0219 second, setting the stage for an intense battle for qualifying position as the weekend continues.

After one session, however, everyone is chasing Matt Hartford and his 6.5166 at 209.79 mph.

Q1—Funny Car