Antron Brown tops NHRA New England Nationals qualifying

In this photo submitted by the NHRA, Funny Car racer Ron Capps races to the qualifying lead at the NHRA New England Nationals with a run of 3.865 seconds at 325.92 mph. His elapsed time is the second quickest Funny Car pass in NHRA history and a track record at New England Dragway located an hour outside of Boston. (Marc Gewertz/NHRA/National Dragster via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT (The Associated Press)

In this photo submitted by the NHRA, Top Fuel racer Steve Torrence powers to the qualifying lead at the NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway in Epping, N.H., with a run of 3.710 seconds at 325.92 mph. Torrence has four No. 1 qualifying positions in the first nine races of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season. (Teresa Long/NHRA/National Dragster via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT (The Associated Press)

EPPING, N.H. – Defending Top Fuel season champion Antron Brown raced to his first No.1 qualifier of the season Saturday in the NHRA New England Nationals.

Brown set an elapsed time track record with a 3.701-second pass at 319.07 mph in the final round of qualifying to jump from the fifth spot at New England Dragway.

"We're getting to where we want to be at and that's a plus," said Brown, a two time season champion, "We just want to make sure that we peak at the right time."

Ron Capps topped the Funny Car field, and Jason Line led in Pro Stock.

Capps' elapsed time track record of 3.865 at 325.92 in his Dodge Charger R/T from Friday held up through the final sessions to earn him his second No. 1 qualifier of the season.

Line secured his fourth No. 1 qualifier of the season, 45th of his career and first at New England Dragway. His 6.567 pass at 211.13 in a Chevy Camaro from Friday held up.