(Photos by Mike & Jeff Burghardt) – One more shot from the Auto Club NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, the weather was awesome, the racing was close and an epic first round Pro Stock battle between eventual Champion Erica Enders and Greg Anderson has been compared by some, to a throwback to the Golden Era of Pro Stock.
Tempers raged on the Pomona Raceway top end turnout, when eventual Top Fuel Champion Steve Torrence took on newcomer Cameron Ferré (above) with a cheap shot, since Ferré had deep staged, taking every advantage off the starting line in their first-round pairing. Everyone now knows who Cameron Ferré is and the incident may have netted his team a new 2020 sponsor as well.
In the weird funny car final, something mysteriously shut off Robert Hight’s Camaro flopper in his match against Jack Beckman. Parked in the middle of his lane, Hight rapidly jumped out, knowing he’d won his third NHRA Championship, the smile was from ear to ear.
The unreal victory and luck of Scrappers Racing rookie Jianna Salinas in Pro Stock Bike was yet another surprise for fans. Her tears were gushing, and her Pops Mike Salinas couldn’t be prouder.
2019 may have finally shown a reason for the controversial NHRA Countdown, creating a true nail-biting finish to the Mello Yello drag racing season. Although some drag racing purists who hate 1,000-foot Pro racing and miss the old Divisional structure, will disagree.
We’ve got two more galleries from the legendary Pomona Raceway, starting today with Lucas Oil Sportsman racers, the backbone of NHRA drag racing and a recap of the winners and runners up.
Final results from the Sportsman ranks of 55th annual Auto Club NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.
Top Alcohol Dragster — Shawn Cowie, 5.275, 277.09 def. Chris Demke, Foul – Red Light.
Top Alcohol Funny Car — Shane Westerfield, Chevy Camaro, 5.493, 268.97 def. Mike Doushgounian, Camaro, 5.627, 262.23.
Competition Eliminator — Doug Lambeck, Pontiac Sunfire, 8.324, 161.25 def. David Rampy, Roadster, 7.205, 183.57.
Super Stock — Jeff Dona, Pontiac Firebird, 9.750, 131.45 def. Dan Fletcher, Chevy Camaro, 10.088, 130.15.
Stock Eliminator — Jeff Taylor, Chevy Camaro, 9.216, 136.50 def. Kyle Rizzoli, Camaro, Foul – Red Light.
Super Comp — Ryan McClanahan, Dragster, 8.933, 169.27 def. Allison McKoane, Dragster, 8.897, 173.16.
Super Gas — Steve Williams, Chevy Corvette, 9.870, 174.48 def. Steve Parsons, Corvette, 9.852, 171.47.
Summit Super Pro — Michael Sturgill, Dragster, 7.585, 177.56 def. Dave Meziere, Chevy Cavalier, Foul – Red Light.
Summit Pro — Chris Johnston, Pontiac Firebird, 16.846, 47.44 def. Brian Hughes, Ford Pinto, Foul – Red Light.
Summit Sportsman — Ryan Montford, Pontiac Grand Prix, 12.096, 109.36 def. Jake Ball, Pontiac Astre, 12.394, 106.07.
Summit Pro Bike — Jim Werre, 9.588, 141.12 def. Jason Clampitt, Foul – Red Light.
Here’s a Lucas Oil Sportsman Series Gallery from Pomona!
