91����

Kenny Delco feels like he has a car capable of not only qualifying for the Countdown to the Championship but also competing for victories in the loaded Pro Stock class.

There have been glimpses of that potential throughout the season, but the veteran is hopeful this weekend in Topeka for the Menards NHRA Heartland Nations is when everything starts to come together.

Delco got off to a good start on Friday at Heartland Motorsports Park, going 6.647-seconds at 205.91 to sit in the fifth spot after the open qualifying run in his Artisan Coffee/KD Racing Chevrolet Camaro. It was precisely the run the team needed to make off the trailer if they want to have a chance to advance to the Countdown to the Championship.

With two races left in the Pro Stock regular season — this weekend and Indy — Delco trailed Chris McGaha by 43 points for the 10th and final spot entering Topeka, meaning Delco likely needs something big to happen to have a chance to clinch a playoff berth��at the U.S. Nationals.

“We feel pretty good. We finally made a good run during the first session,” Delco said. “The car left the starting line a lot better and had a good 60-foot. That’s something we’ve been working on. We’re trying to go fast and go rounds. It’s a matter of putting it all together. The times we’ve not qualified well, we were fast in eliminations but we were against someone faster. We just need some racer’s luck.”

Delco and teammate Val Smeland, who was just eight points behind Delco entering the weekend, have suffered through some hard-luck parts breakage and unfortunate timing��in recent weeks, which leads Delco to believe he’s due for a turnaround in that department.

After struggling on Friday qualifying sessions for most of the year, Delco made a major move in Topeka as he looks to start raceday in a good position.

It’s up to Delco to take advantage, but he appears ready to try and take advantage��of the opportunity. A spot in the Countdown to the Championship would be outstanding, but Delco has another priority, too, and that’s to end up in the winner’s circle at the end of a race weekend.

“The goal is to win a race,” Delco said. “Power-wise, I think we’re good and we’ve been fast, but it’s just a matter of putting it all together. Hopefully we’ll get some good luck to end the year. I feel like we’ve had good power most of the year, it’s just that combination of having it all work together that’s hurt us, but we’re learning and I think we’re getting better.”