(Photography by Jeff and Mike Burghardt) The kick-off of the 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series concluded Sunday at the 58th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals presented by ProtectTheHarvest.com at historic Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.
Matt Hagan in Funny Car, Doug Kalitta in Top Fuel, Bo Butner in Pro Stock and Doug Vancil in Nitro Harley were victorious in their respective categories at the first of 24 National events.
Hagan (near lane) took home the Funny Car victory with a 3.823-second pass at 335.90 mph in his Mopar Express Lane Dodge Charger R/T to defeat world champ Robert Hight in the final round. Hagan defended his Winternationals crown after winning the season-opening event last season en route to a four-win campaign, as he now increases his career win total to 27.
“Keeping our team upbeat, confident and starting the year up on a positive note is good for our team to set goals, no matter how hard they may be to obtain,” Hagan said. “Everything was clicking this weekend and even more than the parts and pieces it’s about having the right guys to use what we have. So far we’ve done it well.”
After qualifying in the top position, Hagan took down Jim Campbell, Cruz Pedregon, and Ron Capps on the road to victory.
Hight qualified second and defeated Jeff Diehl, J.R. Todd and Jack Beckman as he recorded his 24th career runner-up finish.
Kalitta powered to the win with a run of 3.779 at 324.28 in his Mac Tools dragster to take down Tony Schumacher. After finishing as the runner-up at the 2017 Winternationals, Kalitta emerged victorious at the season-opening event for the second time in his career.
“I tip my hat to my guys because I couldn’t do it without him and it’s really special to get a win at a track with so much history,” Kalitta said. “We feel like we have the team in place to have a successful season but I’m really proud of Jim Oberhofer (crew chief) and what he has done for all of our teams.”
Kalitta qualified fifth and took down teammate Richie Crampton, Scott Palmer, and No. 1 qualifier Clay Millican en route to his 44th career win.
Tony Schumacher reached his first final round since Atlanta last season, after besting Terry McMillen, Terry Haddock, and Antron Brown.
In Pro Stock, Butner took home the victory after driving to a 6.549 at 209.62 run in his Jim Butner’s Auto Chevy Camaro to take down teammate Jason Line in the final round. He locked in his sixth career victory as he attempts to defend his Pro Stock world championship this season.
“Both my crew and my car have been running smooth recently, and we are just trying to keep riding that wave,” Butner said. “I feel great in this car and I have all the confidence in the world in my crew.” Butner entered Sunday sixth in qualifying before taking down Tanner Gray, Greg Anderson, and Erica Enders as his 2018 title defense started in victorious fashion.
In Top Fuel Harley, Doug Vancil on his Vance & Hines Harley defeated Rickey House, with Vancil charging to a 6.333, 220.01 mph pass over House.
Top Alcohol Dragster — Shawn Cowie, 5.333, 277.03 def. Garrett Bateman, 15.835, 55.97.
Top Alcohol Funny Car — Shane Westerfield, Chevy Camaro, 5.425, 269.67 def. Ulf Leanders, Camaro, 5.508, 268.33.
Competition Eliminator — Dan Fletcher, Chevy Cobalt, 8.344, 132.86 def. Clint Neff, Roadster, Foul – Red Light.
Super Stock — Kyle Rizzoli, Chevy Camaro, 9.579, 133.55 def. Adam Emmer, Olds Cutlass, 10.120, 125.89.
Stock Eliminator — Larry Gilley, Dodge Dart, 10.627, 121.27 def. Ryan Mangus, Chevy Camaro, 10.664, 122.73.
Super Comp — Gabriel Torres, Dragster, 8.922, 165.46 def. Val Torres Jr., Dragster, 8.941, 176.26.
Super Gas — Kevin McClelland, ’27-T Ford, 9.924, 149.22 def. Phil Unruh, Chevy Cobalt, 9.899, 159.29.
Top Dragster presented by RacingRVs.com — Steve Will, Dragster, 6.043, 234.13 def. Kyle Seipel, Dragster, 6.862, 197.74.
Top Sportsman presented by RacingRVs.com — Paul Mitsos, Dodge Stratus, 7.098, 191.21 def. Don Meziere, Chevy Cobalt, Foul – Red Light.
The 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season continues with the NHRA Arizona Nationals at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park Feb. 23-25.
It ain’t looking good for NHRA. Look at how many people ARE NOT in the stands.When the stands are not full. The sponcer sees it. They can not justify giving big$$$. If no one is there to look at the car they sponcer. And the TV money will do the same.My opinion is. They are on a steep down hill .They better figure out what to do.I may be wrong ,but I think only 13 top fuel cars showed up.NHRA needs to understand they are not the only show in town anymore
This is the second largest seating capacity drag strip in the world. Over the course of three days more people came to Pomona than will attend 99% of the drag races held on Earth this year. Ticket sales were larger than last year.
These are facts.
There will be a bump spot in top fuel when the tour gets to Phoenix in two weeks.
“There will be a bump spot in top fuel when the tour gets to Phoenix in two weeks.”
How many tomato cans will get down the track intact?
Nascar season is right around the bend
Lets see how they do in 2018
The empty seats, short fields, and parts carnage just shows everyone that the NHRA hasn\’t yet figured out how to stop their dumpster fire from spreading
The end result will see the last few sponsors abandon these events.
Hey Brian,I’m not down playing NHRA at all. I’m just pointing out what I see. I hope they can turn things around. There are a lot of different drag racing bodies now days to go to . But no one has what NHRA has. You have to agree that they are getting carried away with letting corporate sponsors dictate how to run a drag race. How did the no win light in qualifying go over with the fans?