SONOMA – NHRA competitors can't allow the cool breeze off San Pablo Bay and the overall tranquility of Northern California to cause them to lose focus. Competition will be fierce as drivers battle in the season's second half for NHRA Winston championships.
With four of the five Pro-class titles up for grabs, anybody can leave Sonoma within striking distance of the coveted championship. Only eight-time NHRA Winston Funny Car champion John Force has a commanding points lead over his competitors.
Many drivers will be looking to maintain the record-setting trend that has occurred this season. Track records have been set at an unbelievable pace. Top Fuelers will definitely be aiming for the late Blaine Johnson's elapsed-time track record of 4.614 seconds, set in 1996. Force will be looking to improve on his e.t. track record of 4.980 seconds, also set in 1996.
Doug Kalitta |
Doug Kalitta, Cruz Pedregon, and Warren Johnson are the defending winners in their respective Professional categories at the 12th annual NHRA Autolite Nationals. The $1.2 million race is the 14th of 22 events in the $40 million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series.
Kalitta defeated upstart Bruce Sarver from the No. 1 qualifying position last season for his only victory of the year. Kalitta, driving the Kitty Hawk dragster, will try for a repeat performance, but he will face tough opposition from defending Winston champion Gary Scelzi, Budweiser King dragster driver Kenny Bernstein, and the only driver to exceed the 330-mph barrier, Tony Schumacher.
Pedregon defeated Whit Bazemore in a close race last season. Pedregon raced for the Joe Gibbs-owned Funny Car team until May of this season, when the duo parted company, and debuted his own car at the Winston Showdown in Bristol. Other top Funny Car challengers include the legendary Force, Force teammate Tony Pedregon, Tim Wilkerson, and Cruz's replacement, Tommy Johnson Jr.
Pro Stock veteran Johnson added another victory to his already impressive career here one year ago, when his GM Goodwrench Service Plus Pontiac Firebird coasted to victory after underdog V. Gaines fouled at the line. Johnson is looking to become the NHRA's all-time winningest driver by surpassing Bob Glidden's record of 85 national event victories, but he'll have to stay ahead of Force, who is tied with Johnson at 77 victories. Kurt Johnson, Troy and Jeg Coughlin, and Allen Johnson are among other favored drivers in the category.
ESPN2 will televise one hour of final-round coverage Aug. 8 beginning at 8 p.m. ET, preceded by two hours of first-round coverage beginning at 3 p.m. ET. In addition, ESPN2 will televise two hours of qualifying highlights Aug. 7 beginning at 10 p.m. ET.
For information about the event sponsor, visit the
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