Funny Car driver Bobby Bode explodes his engine during the final round of qualifying at the season-ending 57th annual NHRA Finals at AutoClub Raceway at Pomona on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Brittany Force (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), Troy Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock) and Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are the top qualifiers heading into Sunday’s eliminations which start at 11a.m. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Funny Car driver Bobby Bode explodes his engine during the final round of qualifying at the season-ending 57th annual NHRA Finals at AutoClub Raceway at Pomona on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Brittany Force (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), Troy Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock) and Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are the top qualifiers heading into Sunday’s eliminations which start at 11a.m. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Funny Car driver Ron Capps, left, hits the throttle during his pole winning run as he races against Cruz Pedregon, right, during the final round of qualifying at the season-ending 57th annual NHRA Finals at AutoClub Raceway at Pomona on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Brittany Force (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), Troy Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock) and Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are the top qualifiers heading into Sunday’s eliminations which start at 11a.m. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Funny Car driver Bobby Bode explodes his engine during the final round of qualifying at the season-ending 57th annual NHRA Finals at AutoClub Raceway at Pomona on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Brittany Force (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), Troy Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock) and Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are the top qualifiers heading into Sunday’s eliminations which start at 11a.m. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Funny Car drivers John Force, left, and Matt Hagan, right, head down track during the final round of qualifying at the season-ending 57th annual NHRA Finals at AutoClub Raceway at Pomona on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Brittany Force (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), Troy Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock) and Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are the top qualifiers heading into Sunday’s eliminations which start at 11a.m. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Funny Car driver Matt Hagan prepares to head down track as team owner Tony Stewart, far right, looks on during the third round of qualifying at the season-ending 57th annual NHRA Finals at AutoClub Raceway at Pomona on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Eliminations begin at 11a.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Funny Car driver Ron Capps waits to stage his hot rod a crew member makes last minute adjustments during the final round of qualifying at the season-ending 57th annual NHRA Finals at AutoClub Raceway at Pomona on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Brittany Force (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), Troy Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock) and Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are the top qualifiers heading into Sunday’s eliminations which start at 11a.m. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Top Fuel driver Mike Salinas climbs into his dragster for the third round of qualifying at the season-ending 57th annual NHRA Finals at AutoClub Raceway at Pomona on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Salinas currently sits third in the points standings and is seeking his first Top Fuel title Sunday. Eliminations begin at 11a.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Top Fuel driver Tony Schumacher drives through the shutdown area during the final round of qualifying at the season-ending 57th annual NHRA Finals at AutoClub Raceway at Pomona on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Brittany Force (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), Troy Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock) and Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are the top qualifiers heading into Sunday’s eliminations which start at 11a.m. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Funny Car driver Cruz Pedregon heads down track during the third round of qualifying at the season-ending 57th annual NHRA Finals at AutoClub Raceway at Pomona on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Eliminations begin at 11a.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Funny Car driver Matt Hagan heads down track during the third round of qualifying at the season-ending 57th annual NHRA Finals at AutoClub Raceway at Pomona on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Eliminations begin at 11a.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Pro Stock driver Troy Coughlin Jr. drives through the shutdown area during the final round of qualifying at the season-ending 57th annual NHRA Finals at AutoClub Raceway at Pomona on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Brittany Force (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), Troy Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock) and Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are the top qualifiers heading into Sunday’s eliminations which start at 11a.m. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Pro Stock drivers Dallas Glenn, left, and Greg Anderson, right, head down track during the third round of qualifying at the season-ending 57th annual NHRA Finals at AutoClub Raceway at Pomona on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Eliminations begin at 11a.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Top Fuel driver Justin Ashley climbs into his dragster for the third round of qualifying in the staging lanes at the season-ending 57th annual NHRA Finals at AutoClub Raceway at Pomona on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Ashley currently sits second in points and is seeking his first Top Fuel title. Eliminations begin at 11a.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Top Fuel driver Steve Torrence heads down track during the third round of qualifying in the staging lanes at the season-ending 57th annual NHRA Finals at AutoClub Raceway at Pomona on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Eliminations begin at 11a.m. Sunday. Torrence is seeking his 5th straight Top Fuel title. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Funny Car points leader Robert Hight heads down track during the third round of qualifying at the season-ending 57th annual NHRA Finals at AutoClub Raceway at Pomona on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Eliminations begin at 11a.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Funny Car driver Ron Capps heads down track during the third round of qualifying at the season-ending 57th annual NHRA Finals at AutoClub Raceway at Pomona on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Eliminations begin at 11a.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Pro Stock driver Bo Butner does his burnout during the third round of qualifying at the season-ending 57th annual NHRA Finals at AutoClub Raceway at Pomona on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Eliminations begin at 11a.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Steve Johnson, left, walks back towards the starting line as his crew pushes his bike after failing to make it down track during the third round of qualifying at the season-ending 57th annual NHRA Finals at AutoClub Raceway at Pomona on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Eliminations begin at 11a.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Karen Stoffer prepares to head down track during the third round of qualifying at the season-ending 57th annual NHRA Finals at AutoClub Raceway at Pomona on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Eliminations begin at 11a.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Funny Car legend and crew chief “Big” Jim Dunn slowly walks up to his driver Jim Campbell’s hot rod to make final adjustments during the third round of qualifying at the season-ending 57th annual NHRA Finals at AutoClub Raceway at Pomona on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Eliminations begin at 11a.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Top Fuel points leader Brittany Force heads down track during the third round of qualifying at the season-ending 57th annual NHRA Finals at AutoClub Raceway at Pomona on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Force is seeking her second championship on Sunday. Eliminations begin at 11a.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Funny Car points leader Robert Hight does his burnout during the third round of qualifying at the season-ending 57th annual NHRA Finals at AutoClub Raceway at Pomona on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Eliminations begin at 11a.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Race fans watch a dragster head down track during the third round of qualifying at the season-ending 57th annual NHRA Finals at AutoClub Raceway at Pomona on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Eliminations begin at 11a.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Top Fuel driver Austin Prock prepares for the third round of qualifying in the staging lanes at the season-ending 57th annual NHRA Finals at AutoClub Raceway at Pomona on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Eliminations begin at 11a.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Funny Car points leader Robert Hight does his burnout as a crew member runs down track during the third round of qualifying at the season-ending 57th annual NHRA Finals at AutoClub Raceway at Pomona on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Eliminations begin at 11a.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Top Fuel driver Mike Salinas prepares for the third round of qualifying at the season-ending 57th annual NHRA Finals at AutoClub Raceway at Pomona on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Salinas currently sits third in the points standings and is seeking his first Top Fuel title Sunday. Eliminations begin at 11a.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Funny Car driver Ron Capps hits the throttle during his pole winning run during the final round of qualifying at the season-ending 57th annual NHRA Finals at AutoClub Raceway at Pomona on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Brittany Force (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), Troy Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock) and Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are the top qualifiers heading into Sunday’s eliminations which start at 11a.m. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Top Fuel drivers Mike Salinas, near lane, and Justin Ashley, far lane, head down track during the third round of qualifying at the season-ending 57th annual NHRA Finals at AutoClub Raceway at Pomona on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Ashley currently sits second in the points while Salinas is third. Eliminations begin at 11a.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Pro Stock driver Troy Coughlin Jr. gets sideways while doing his burnout during the third round of qualifying at the season-ending 57th annual NHRA Finals at AutoClub Raceway at Pomona on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Eliminations begin at 11a.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Top Fuel driver Antron Brown drives through the shutdown area during the final round of qualifying at the season-ending 57th annual NHRA Finals at AutoClub Raceway at Pomona on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Brittany Force (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), Troy Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock) and Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are the top qualifiers heading into Sunday’s eliminations which start at 11a.m. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Top Fuel driver Justin Ashley drives through the shutdown area during the final round of qualifying at the season-ending 57th annual NHRA Finals at AutoClub Raceway at Pomona on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Brittany Force (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), Troy Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock) and Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are the top qualifiers heading into Sunday’s eliminations which start at 11a.m. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Top Fuel driver Austin Prock fist bumps a crew member as he prepares to get in his dragster prior to the third round of qualifying at the season-ending 57th annual NHRA Finals at AutoClub Raceway at Pomona on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Eliminations begin at 11a.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Top Fuel points leader Brittany Force does her burnout during the third round of qualifying at the season-ending 57th annual NHRA Finals at AutoClub Raceway at Pomona on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Force is seeking her second Top Fuel title on Sunday. Eliminations begin at 11a.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Hector Arana III looks down track during the third round of qualifying at the season-ending 57th annual NHRA Finals at AutoClub Raceway at Pomona on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Eliminations begin at 11a.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Funny Car drivers John Force, left, and Matt Hagan, right, head down track during the final round of qualifying at the season-ending 57th annual NHRA Finals at AutoClub Raceway at Pomona on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Brittany Force (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), Troy Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock) and Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are the top qualifiers heading into Sunday’s eliminations which start at 11a.m. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Top Fuel driver Justin Ashley prepares for the third round of qualifying in the staging lanes at the season-ending 57th annual NHRA Finals at AutoClub Raceway at Pomona on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Ashley currently sits second in points and is seeking his first Top Fuel title. Eliminations begin at 11a.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Race fans greet racing legend John Force along the fence line during the third round of qualifying at the season-ending 57th annual NHRA Finals at AutoClub Raceway at Pomona on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Eliminations begin at 11a.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Funny Car points leader Robert Hight does his burnout during the final round of qualifying at the season-ending 57th annual NHRA Finals at AutoClub Raceway at Pomona on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Brittany Force (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), Troy Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock) and Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are the top qualifiers heading into Sunday’s eliminations which start at 11a.m. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Funny Car drivers Tim Wilkerson, left, and Blake Alexander, right, streak down track during the final round of qualifying at the season-ending 57th annual NHRA Finals at AutoClub Raceway at Pomona on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Brittany Force (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), Troy Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock) and Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are the top qualifiers heading into Sunday’s eliminations which start at 11a.m. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Top Fuel driver Steve Torrence, left, speaks with Funny Car driver John Force in the staging lanes prior to the third round of qualifying at the season-ending 57th annual NHRA Finals at AutoClub Raceway at Pomona on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Eliminations begin at 11a.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Top Fuel driver Steve Torrence heads down track during the third round of qualifying in the staging lanes at the season-ending 57th annual NHRA Finals at AutoClub Raceway at Pomona on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Eliminations begin at 11a.m. Sunday. Torrence is seeking his 5th straight Top Fuel title. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Top Fuel driver Leah Pruett heads down track during the opening round of nitro qualifying at the 56th annual NHRA Finals at Pomona Raceway Friday, Nov. 12, 2021. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Top Fuel points leader Steve Torrence stands in his hauler in the pits prior to the opening round of qualifying at the 56th annual NHRA Finals at Pomona Raceway Friday, Nov. 12, 2021. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Funny Car driver Bobby Bode explodes his engine during the final round of qualifying at the season-ending 57th annual NHRA Finals at AutoClub Raceway at Pomona on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Brittany Force (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), Troy Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock) and Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are the top qualifiers heading into Sunday’s eliminations which start at 11a.m. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Top Fuel drivers Brittany Force, left, and Leah Pruett, right, head down track during the final round of qualifying at the season-ending 57th annual NHRA Finals at AutoClub Raceway at Pomona on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Brittany Force (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), Troy Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock) and Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are the top qualifiers heading into Sunday’s eliminations which start at 11a.m. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Funny Car driver Ron Capps hits the throttle during his pole winning run during the final round of qualifying at the season-ending 57th annual NHRA Finals at AutoClub Raceway at Pomona on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Brittany Force (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), Troy Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock) and Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are the top qualifiers heading into Sunday’s eliminations which start at 11a.m. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Top Fuel points leader Brittany Force prepares for the third round of qualifying in the staging lanes at the season-ending 57th annual NHRA Finals at AutoClub Raceway at Pomona on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Eliminations begin at 11a.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Funny Car driver Robert Hight sits in his hot rod prior as he is pushed towards the starting line during the opening round of nitro qualifying at the 56th annual NHRA Finals at Pomona Raceway Friday, Nov. 12, 2021. Hight is the provisional top qualifier. Pro qualifying continues Saturday with eliminations beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday morning. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Top Fuel points leader Steve Torrence heads down track during the opening round of nitro qualifying at the 56th annual NHRA Finals at Pomona Raceway Friday, Nov. 12, 2021. Pro qualifying continues Saturday with eliminations beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday morning. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Top Fuel driver Antron Brown heads down track during the opening round of nitro qualifying at the 56th annual NHRA Finals at Pomona Raceway Friday, Nov. 12, 2021. Pro qualifying continues Saturday with eliminations beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday morning. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Top Fuel points leader Steve Torrence heads down the track during the opening round of qualifying at the 56th annual NHRA Finals on Friday at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona. Torrence had the second-fastest qualifying time and is closing in on his fourth consecutive season title. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Funny Car points leader Ron Capps (near lane) heads down track against his teammate, and second in the points, Matt Hagan during the opening round of nitro qualifying at the 56th annual NHRA Finals at Pomona Raceway Friday, Nov. 12, 2021. Pro qualifying continues Saturday with eliminations beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday morning. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Top Fuel driver Antron Brown heads down track during the opening round of nitro qualifying at the 56th annual NHRA Finals at Pomona Raceway Friday, Nov. 12, 2021. Pro qualifying continues Saturday with eliminations beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday morning. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Top Fuel driver Leah Pruett heads down track during the opening round of nitro qualifying at the 56th annual NHRA Finals at Pomona Raceway Friday, Nov. 12, 2021. Pro qualifying continues Saturday with eliminations beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday morning. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Top Fuel points leader Steve Torrence heads down track during the opening round of nitro qualifying at the 56th annual NHRA Finals at Pomona Raceway Friday, Nov. 12, 2021. Pro qualifying continues Saturday with eliminations beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday morning. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Top Fuel driver Antron Brown heads down track during the opening round of nitro qualifying at the 56th annual NHRA Finals at Pomona Raceway Friday, Nov. 12, 2021. Pro qualifying continues Saturday with eliminations beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday morning. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Funny Car driver John Force heads down track during the opening round of nitro qualifying at the 56th annual NHRA Finals at Pomona Raceway Friday, Nov. 12, 2021. Pro qualifying continues Saturday with eliminations beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday morning. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
“Big” Jim Dunn walks out of the way as his Funny Car driver Jim Campbell does his burnout during the opening round of nitro qualifying at the 56th annual NHRA Finals at Pomona Raceway Friday, Nov. 12, 2021. Pro qualifying continues Saturday with eliminations beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday morning. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Funny Car driver John Force (right) along with his daughter Brittany Force (center) speak with race fans in the staging lanes prior to the opening round of nitro qualifying at the 56th annual NHRA Finals at Pomona Raceway Friday, Nov. 12, 2021. Pro qualifying continues Saturday with eliminations beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday morning. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Top Fuel points leader Steve Torrence stands in his hauler in the pits prior to the opening round of qualifying at the 56th annual NHRA Finals at Pomona Raceway Friday, Nov. 12, 2021. Pro qualifying continues Saturday with eliminations beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday morning. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Top Fuel points leader Steve Torrence, center, stands next to his 11,000 horsepower dragster in the pits prior to the opening round of qualifying at the 56th annual NHRA Finals on Friday at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Funny Car driver Matt Hagan warms up his hot rod in the pits prior to the opening round of qualifying at the 56th annual NHRA Finals at Pomona Raceway Friday, Nov. 12, 2021. Pro qualifying continues Saturday with eliminations beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday morning. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Funny Car drivers Cruz Pedregon (near lane) and J.R. Todd (far lane) head down track during the opening round of nitro qualifying at the 56th annual NHRA Finals at Pomona Raceway Friday, Nov. 12, 2021. Pro qualifying continues Saturday with eliminations beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday morning. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Funny Car driver Robert Hight sits in his hot rod prior as he is pushed towards the starting line during the opening round of nitro qualifying at the 56th annual NHRA Finals at Pomona Raceway Friday, Nov. 12, 2021. Hight is the provisional top qualifier. Pro qualifying continues Saturday with eliminations beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday morning. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Funny Car driver J.R. Todd speaks with a crew member prior to the opening round of nitro qualifying at the 56th annual NHRA Finals at Pomona Raceway Friday, Nov. 12, 2021. Pro qualifying continues Saturday with eliminations beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday morning. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Race fan Curtis Booth, from Little Rock, Arkansas, holds his ears as he stands behind the Funny Car of Matt Hagan as he warms up the 11,000hp nitromethane burning hot rod prior to the opening round of qualifying at the 56th annual NHRA Finals at Pomona Raceway Friday, Nov. 12, 2021. Pro qualifying continues Saturday with eliminations beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday morning. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Top Fuel points leader Steve Torrence (right) stands next to his 11,000hp dragster in the pits prior to the opening round of qualifying at the 56th annual NHRA Finals at Pomona Raceway Friday, Nov. 12, 2021. Pro qualifying continues Saturday with eliminations beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday morning. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Race fans watch from nitro haze as Funny Car driver Alex Miladinovich warms up his 11,000hp hot prior to the opening round of qualifying at the 56th annual NHRA Finals at Pomona Raceway Friday, Nov. 12, 2021. Pro qualifying continues Saturday with eliminations beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday morning. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Funny Car driver Matt Hagan takes off his gas mask after warming up his hot rod in the pits prior to the opening round of qualifying at the 56th annual NHRA Finals at Pomona Raceway Friday, Nov. 12, 2021. Pro qualifying continues Saturday with eliminations beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday morning. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Top Fuel points leader Steve Torrence stands in his hauler in the pits as he watches his crew work on his 11,000hp dragster prior to the opening round of qualifying at the 56th annual NHRA Finals at Pomona Raceway Friday, Nov. 12, 2021. Pro qualifying continues Saturday with eliminations beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday morning. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Top Fuel points leader Steve Torrence (center) stands next to his 11,000hp dragster in the pits prior to the opening round of qualifying at the 56th annual NHRA Finals at Pomona Raceway Friday, Nov. 12, 2021. Pro qualifying continues Saturday with eliminations beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday morning. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Top Fuel points leader Steve Torrence stands next to his 11,000hp dragster in the pits prior to the opening round of qualifying at the 56th annual NHRA Finals at Pomona Raceway Friday, Nov. 12, 2021. Pro qualifying continues Saturday with eliminations beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday morning. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Top Fuel points leader Steve Torrence stands in his hauler in the pits prior to the opening round of qualifying at the 56th annual NHRA Finals at Pomona Raceway Friday, Nov. 12, 2021. Pro qualifying continues Saturday with eliminations beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday morning. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
POMONA — Brittany Force, who is on top of the world in Top Fuel drag racing, goes into Sunday’s elimination rounds of the NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway as the No. 1 seed in her class.
Her qualifying run Friday evening of 3.641 seconds with record-breaking top speed of 338.64 mph held up through the second day of qualifying on Saturday. She still had one the quickest qualifying runs Saturday with a time of 3.664 seconds at 336.99 mph in the first of the two rounds.
Four-time defending champion Steve Torrence qualified as the No. 2 seed with a time of 3.47 in the second of the two qualifying sessions Saturday. This means Force and Torrence could meet in Sunday’s championship final if form follows.
Torrence and Force, combined, account for the five last national titles. Force won in 2017 before Torrence won four years in a row.
Force’s lead in the standings over her closest competitor, Justin Ashley, is now 26 points. Ashley qualified 10th with a best time of 3.706 seconds. But an early round loss by Force Sunday could cost her the title.
The top Funny Car qualifier is defending national champion Ron Capps, with Cruz Pedregon the No. 2 seed. Points leader Robert Hight is seeded No. 4.
The top qualifier in Pro Stock Cars is Troy Coughlin Jr.
Besides being tagged “The Fastest Female in Sports,” a lot of people in the sport are comparing Brittany Force, 36, to the legendary Shirley Muldowney, “The First Lady of Drag Racing” who is now 82.
One person who is not making that comparison is Brittany’s father John Force, the owner of 16 national Funny Car titles. He goes into Sunday’s elimination rounds as the No. 6 qualifier.
“I will never compare anyone to Shirley Muldowney, not even my own daughter,” Force said between qualifying runs Saturday. “Shirley was a trailblazer. She was the only female racing back then. She opened the door for all the female drivers we now have in the sport.
“Don’t get me wrong. I am very proud of Brittany, and my other daughters (Ashley and Courtney, who were Funny Car racers), but there is only one Shirley Muldowney.”
Muldowney won three national championships in 1977, ’80 and ’82.
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In his between-rounds interview, John Force was asked if he could pinpoint when he first saw Brittany’s potential.
“It was when she first got her license to compete in Top Fuel,” Force said. “I can’t remember the year – maybe you do?” It was 2012.
“With Ashley and Courtney competing in Funny Car, we went back to Gainesville, Fla., where she had a run of 325. She was hooked after that.
“She was teaching school but chose to pursue drag racing full time.”
Asked about the secret to her success, the father who knows best said, “You start with the sponsors, you put together a great team and go from there.”
Brittany, who was also in the Force hospitality area at the time, was asked if it more the car or the driver that is most responsible for success.
“It is both,” she said. “Sometimes it is me that makes a mistake, sometimes something is wrong with the car.”
These days, nothing seems to be going wrong for Brittany Force and her team. They are clicking on all cylinders.