54th Annual Circle K NHRA Winternationals
Pomona, CaliforniaFriday, February 7, 2014
The 54rd Circle K NHRA Winternationals was held at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, CA. on February 6 thru 9, 2014. The premier NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series begins with the Winternationals. Some of the racers competing were defending Top Fuel world champion Shawn Langdon, Antron Brown, Tony Schumacher, and Doug Kalitta; Funny Car fan favorites “Fast Jack” Beckman, Ron Capps, Courtney Force, John Force; and defending Pro Stock world champ Jeg Coughlin, Allen Johnson, Jason Line, and Erica Enders-Stevens.
The weekend weather was cool with temperatures in the mid to high 60’s. The track was ready for some good times. The wheel standing Stock Eliminator’s & Super Stock’s were showing off. In the pits, a classic car show, celebrity autographs, Nito Alley, and food vendors were packed with families enjoying the show.
On the track, several pro cars found their way into the sand at the end of the track. Pro class engine failures were disastrous and caused an unusual number of oil downs and delays. Luckily nobody was seriously injured. The awesome Winged Express fuel altered made an exciting single run. There are 23 more races to go in the 2014 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.
Thanks for the Show!!
The winners were,
TOP FUEL – Khalid alBalooshi, 3.974 sec @ 324.36mph beat Doug Kalitta, 5.366 sec @ 143.40mph.
FUNNY CAR – John Force, 3.965 sec @ 323.58mph beat Matt Hagan, 6.613sec @ 117.88mph.
PRO STOCK – Jason Line, Chevy Camaro, 6.526 sec @ 212.06mph def. V. Gains, Dodge Avenger, 6.533sec @ 2l2.56mph
TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER – Chris Demke, 5.251sec, 275.00mph def. Don St. Amaud, 5.328 sec @ 278.46mph.
TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR – Brian Hough, Ford Mustang, 5.571sec, 257.83mph def. Sean Bellemeur, Chevy Camaro, 5.646sec, 257.78mph.
COMPETITION ELIMINATOR – Mike LePalma, Chevy S-10, 8.062sec, 166.09mph def. Alan Ellis, ’23 T Ford, 6.572sec, 205.54mph.
SUPER STOCK – Don Keen, Ford Mustang, 10.355sec, 127.47 def. Dave Bridgewater, Chevy Camarro, 9.506sec, 139.29mph.
STOCK ELIMINATOR – Paul Cannan, Chevy Camaro, 10.099sec, 129.27mph beat Michael Iacono, Camaro 10.972sec, 119.23mph.
SUPER COMP – Don Meziere, Dragster, 8.921sec, 158.37mph def. Steve Casner, Dragster, 8.922sec, 185.36mph.
SUPER GAS – Val Torres, Chevy Corvette, 9.905mph, 163.06sec, beat Thomas Bayer, Corvette, 9.899sec, 151.82mph.