Clay Millican has Top Fuel qualifying lead

BAYTOWN, Texas (AP) Clay Millican powered his Top Fuel dragster to the qualifying lead Friday at the 30th annual Spring Nationals at Royal Purple Raceway in Baytown, Texas.

Millican, who is still searching for his first NHRA Top Fuel victory, set the track elapsed time record with his 3.722-second run at 325.69 mph during the second qualifying session.

"I got to do my favorite thing and go out there and stomp on the loud pedal,'' Millican said. ''I didn't expect to go No. 1; I really didn't. I hope it's a typical Houston day tomorrow at 100 degrees and we stay No. 1.''

Courtney Force (Funny Car) and Jeg Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock) were also provisional leaders in their respective categories at the fifth of 24 events on the season schedule.