Defending champion Dan Pastorini failed to qualify...

Defending champion Dan Pastorini failed to qualify for today’s top fuel final eliminations in the 15th annual Snowbird National Drag Racing Championships at Bradenton, Fla.

Pastorini, the former NFL quarterback, shut his car down early on all three of his quarter-mile qualification runs. Friday night, a fuel leak was the culprit. Saturday, it was poor traction. Saturday night, tire shake tripped the car’s parachute system.

Darrell Gywnn of Miami was the fastest top fuel qualifier with a 5.342-second, 251.390-m.p.h. run.

John Force of Yorba Linda, Calif., leads funny car qualifiers with a 5.718-second, 260.110-m.p.h. run.