Force tops O’Reilly Nationals qualifying

Sunday, April 16, 2000 | 2:56 a.m.

Force had a quarter-mile run Friday of 4.839 seconds with a top speed of 319.98 mph at Houston Raceway Park.

Kenny Bernstein, Jim Yates and Bob Panella also led their divisions in the $1.8 million competition, the fifth of 23 events in the $45 million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series.

Bernstein powered his Top Fuel dragster to his second straight No. 1 qualifying position and the 52nd of his career. He had a run of 4.566 seconds at 318.17 mph Friday.

Yates finished in 6.888 seconds at 199.58 mph Friday to lead the Pro Stock field for the second time this year.

Defending NHRA Winston champion Bob Panella took the top spot in the Pro Stock Truck category Saturday with a pass of 7.494 seconds at 179.21 mph.

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