Pre-Race Report
Event 24: NHRA Finals
Auto Club Raceway at Pomona
Pomona, Calif.
Nov. 8 - 11
Event 24: NHRA Finals
Auto Club Raceway at Pomona
Pomona, Calif.
Nov. 8 - 11
Pomona Highlights: Three wins (2009-I, 2016-II, 2018-I); Seven runner-up finishes (1999-II, 2004-I, 2010-I, 2013-II, 2014-I, 2016-I, 2017-I); Six No.1 qualifiers (2001-I, 2003-I, 2004-I, 2004-II, 2006-II, 2014-I)
Last Event Recap (NHRA Toyota Nationals): Qualified sixth; First round loss (Lost to Richie Crampton in the first round)
2017 NHRA Finals Recap: Qualified seventh; Semifinalist (Defeated Wayne Newby in the first round, defeated Clay Millican in the quarterfinals, lost to Shawn Langdon in the semifinals)
Quotable: “We started off the year with a win in Pomona, and I can't think of a better way to close out the season than another win here. It's a track we feel very comfortable competing at, and a strong showing here would be a great way to kick off next season.”
Career Stats: 480 starts; 652 round wins (ninth all-time); 44 wins (Fifth all-time in Top Fuel); 96 finals; 49 no.1 qualifiers (tied 14th all-time)
2018 Season: One Win (Pomona-I); Five finals (Pomona I, Charlotte I, Richmond, Denver, Indianapolis); 29 round wins; Tied for seventh in the standings
Pomona Highlights: One No. 1 qualifier (2014-II)
Last Event Recap (NHRA Toyota Nationals): Qualified 11th; Semifinalist (Defeated Doug Kalitta in the first round, Brittany Force in the quarterfinals, lost to Steve Torrence in the semifinals)
2017 NHRA Finals Recap: Qualified 8th, Quarterfinalist (Defeated Terry McMillen in the first round, lost to Brittany Force in the quarterfinals)
Quotable: “This race will be a big test for this Craftsman team to close out the year on a strong note, we really want to build up some momentum heading into the offseason."
Career Stats: 102 starts; 88 round wins; Eight wins; 10 finals; Five no.1 qualifiers
2018 Season: One win (Gainesville); 13 round wins; 11th in the standings
Pomona Highlights: Three wins (2013-I, II, 2015-I); Three runner-up finishes (2010-II, 2011-I, 2017-II); Two No. 1 qualifiers (2012-I, 2015-II - Top Fuel)
Last Event Recap (NHRA Toyota Nationals): Qualified 10th; Quarterfinalist (Defeated Robert Hight in the first round, lost to J.R. Todd int he quarterfinals)
2017 NHRA Finals Recap: Qualified 11th; Runner-Up (Defeated Tony Schumacher in the first round, Leah Pritchett in the quarterfinals, Doug Kalitta in the semifinals, lost to Brittany Force in the finals)
Quotable: "Winning this last race of the year would provide a big boost for this group. We've worked hard all season long and I would love nothing more than to get a win for everyone on the Global Electronic Technology team.”
Career Stats: 229 starts; 262 round wins; 14 wins; 30 finals; 18 no.1 qualifiers (Funny Car stats: 23 starts; 15 round wins)
2018 Season: 23 starts; 15 round wins; Tenth in the standings
Pomona Highlights: One win (2007-I -Top Fuel); One runner-up finish (2016-II-Top Fuel); One No. 1 qualifier (2016-II-Top Fuel)
Last Event Recap (NHRA Toyota Nationals): Qualified second; Event Winner (Defeated Richard Townsend in the first round, Shawn Langdon in the quarterfinals, Jack Beckman in the semifinals, Matt Hagan in the finals)
2017 NHRA Finals Recap: Qualified ninth; First round loss (Lost to John Force in the first round)
Quotable: “We just need to keep making consistent runs. Step one is getting qualified in Pomona and try to put this DHL/Wix Filters Camry in the top half of the field. Then we will take it one round at a time from there."
Career Stats: 195 starts; 207 round wins; 16 wins; 28 finals; 10 no.1 qualifiers (Funny Car stats: 47 starts; Seven wins (2017: Sonoma, Indianapolis, 2018: Las Vegas-I, Houston, Indianapolis, Reading, Las Vegas-II); Nine finals (2017: Charlotte-I, Sonoma, Indianapolis, 2018: Las Vegas-I, Houston, Indianapolis, Reading, Dallas, Charlotte-II, Las Vegas-II); 58 round wins)
2018 Season: Five wins (Las Vegas-I, Houston, Indianapolis, Reading, Las Vegas-II); 40 round wins; First in the point standings
All photos are courtesy of Gary Nastase Photography.
