Erik Miller had the fastest time of the day and is currently on the Pole for Friday’s main race. Photo: Valerie Douglas
Erik Miller had the fastest time of the day and is currently on the Pole for Friday’s main race. Photo: Valerie Douglas

Racers battled the qualifying course on Tuesday for this week’s 2017 Nitto King of the Hammers Powered by Optima Batteries. Some familiar faces were at the top of the qualifying runs for the premier 4400 class, with two-time KOH Champion and 2016 winner Erik Miller taking top honors with a time of 1 minute, 40.2 seconds.

Hot on Miller’s heels was Wayland Campbell, son of multi KOH Champion Shannon Campbell, who was fourth fastest on the day. Sitting between the two Campbells in third place was Casey Currie. Rounding out the top five was Clay Gilstrap, who was only 5.3 seconds behind Miller on his qualifying run.

Jordan Pellegrino had the fastest time of the day for the 4500 class, and is the youngest in his class. Photo: Valerie Douglas
Jordan Pellegrino had the fastest time of the day for the 4500 class, and is the youngest in his class. Photo: Valerie Douglas

The fastest qualifier in the 4500 Class was Jordan Pellegrino, who finished the course with a time of 1 minute, 55.4 seconds. He finished ahead of second-place qualifier Dustyn Friesen by nearly 9 seconds. Rounding out the top three in the class was Justin Hall.

Cody Waggoner qualified 16th in the only IFS/IRS car in the main Nitto King of the Hammers powered by Optima Batteries. Photo: Valerie Douglas
Cody Waggoner qualified 16th in the only IFS/IRS car in the main Nitto King of the Hammers powered by Optima Batteries. Photo: Valerie Douglas

The fastest time for Tuesday’s 4800 Class qualifiers was Rick Waterbury with a time of 1 minute, 56.7 seconds. Bailey Cole was hot on Waterbury’s tail, finishing with a time of 1:57.1. Cade G. Rodd earned the third-fastest time with his 1:57.5 lap.

Brian Caprara is chased by the helicopter as he starts Power Hour on Day 1 of Qualifying. Photo: Valerie Douglas
Brian Caprara is chased by the helicopter as he starts Power Hour on Day 1 of Qualifying. Photo: Valerie Douglas

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