Motor Sports

Joe Amato, the defending top fuel champion, had the quickest run in drag racing history during qualifying for the Chief Auto Parts Nationals in Ennis, Tex.

Amato, seeking his third consecutive and fifth overall NHRA title, covered the quarter mile in 4.794 seconds at 298.90 m.p.h. to earn the top qualifying spot in top fuel.

Amato next will try to make a second run within the required 1%--4.841 seconds or quicker--during the weekend to make the 4.794 a national record and earn 200 bonus points. He came into the event with a 106-point lead over Kenny Bernstein.

Chuck Etchells and Warren Johnson were the top qualifiers in funny cars and pro stocks, respectively.