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  Pomona: Saturday Results Pomona, CA (November 11, 2023)
Pro Stock Motorcycle’s Gaige Herrera clinched his first career NHRA world championship on Saturday at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, wrapping up his dominant title run to close out qualifying at the 58th annual In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals. Austin Prock (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car) and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) also qualified No. 1 at the 21st race of the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season, and the last of six races in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs. Herrera extended his single-season class record by earning his 14th No. 1 qualifier thanks to a track-record run of 6.661-seconds at 203.80 mph on his Mission Foods/Vance & Hines Suzuki. He will try to pick up his 11th win of the season on Sunday, which would also set a single-season record in the class, but earned the bigger prize on Saturday by picking up a world championship for the first time. It is the finishing touch on one of the most incredible seasons in Pro Stock Motorcycle history, as Herrera dominated from start to finish. He won the first three races of the season, added another three-race winning streak during the year and then has won the last four races during the Countdown to the Championship. Add in a multitude of track records, the quickest run in class history and a sweep of the Western Swing and Herrera enjoyed a simply spectacular season. “This is very special, it doesn't feel real to be honest,” Herrera said. “The amount of stuff we've accomplished this year and then wrapping it up getting the championship and then making a run like that the last qualifier, it's been an incredible season. I'm living the dream. Last year I was just out here trying to have a little fun and to get the opportunity to ride for the legends that I grew up watching race and looked up to, to be able to race with them and accomplish what we have, it's very surreal. “Wrapping up the championship here in my hometown, this is something I'll never forget, winning the championship in my first full season. There is a lot that has been accomplished this year, but this definitely tops it all. This is something I'll always cherish and remember. You never can take anything for granted. The bike has been flawless all year. We set a lot of records and it just goes on and on. It's crazy.” Funny Car title contender Robert Hight powered to a massive run to close out qualifying under the lights in Pomona, going 3.844 at 331.61 in his 11,000-horsepower Automobile Club of Southern California/Cornwell Tools Chevrolet Camaro SS. It’s the seventh No. 1 of the season for the three-time world champ and the 84th in his career, and he also moved past Bob Tasca III into second place in the process. He’s just 12 points behind leader Matt Hagan – with Tasca only 17 points out of first – heading into what will be one of the most thrilling finishes in class history on Sunday. For Hight, he’s eager for the opportunity to compete for a world championship, knowing full well it’s going to be a monumental battle against Hagan and Tasca – one that could come down to the final run of the year in a winner-take-all scenario. Hight and Hagan, who is the No. 5 qualifier could meet in the semifinals, while Tasca, who qualified sixth, is on the other side of the bracket. “That's big [going around Tasca],” Hight said. “Let's say it comes down to Tasca and I, and we lose the same round, you want to go ahead of him in qualifying, so this was big for us today. I was a little nervous yesterday after screwing up the first run and then we had to make a safe run last night. We knew what we had to do but you have to execute, too. This is a tricky place, no matter what anybody tells you, this place is tricky. Two separately different lanes and when it's good, it's really good and you have to be aggressive and get after it. I’m really proud of the whole Auto Club team. “It’s exactly what we needed to do and it might have a little effect going into Sunday. We’ve got a little momentum and we're running well but we have to race smart tomorrow. Probably not going to sleep tonight, but at least we're qualified.” John Force qualified second with a 3.862 at 328.14 and defending event winner Cruz Pedregon took third after a run of 3.865 at 330.15. In Top Fuel, Austin Prock made a huge move to close out qualifying as he looks to close out the season with a win for a second straight year, taking the No. 1 spot with a run of 3.636 at 332.92 in his 11,000-horsepower Montana Brands/Rocky Mountain Twist dragster. It’s the second top qualifier this season for Prock and the third in his career as he made a career-best pass to close out the session. The run also gives him a strong opportunity to end his year on a high note – much like he did in 2022. “I love it anytime I come here,” Prock said. “As a kid growing up, ditching school and flying out here to come watch my dad race and race for championships and Wallys, it was always a treat to me. It's got a special place in my heart and it just seems like we've a little mojo going here. If we go to the final round tomorrow that's five consecutive final rounds for me here in Pomona, so I hope I can make that a fact. “Our focus every weekend is 'Go for a Wally,' and I feel like we finally have a racecar that can do it. We've been picking at it slowly throughout the year and the last two or three races, the thing has really come around. The first run today, that was the first time we've smoked the tires in like eight runs. We just lowered the boom a little bit there and hopefully we can keep that up tomorrow. It would be huge to win the last race of the year here and get to enjoy it for a few months.” Prock’s run bumped Torrence and his 3.641 at 335.65 to second, with Antron Brown taking third with a 3.663 at 335.82. Torrence takes the points lead into Sunday, holding a 12-point advantage over Doug Kalitta, 39 points over Leah Pruett, 76 points over Mike Salinas and 88 points over Justin Ashley. Torrence and Pruett could potentially meet in the semifinals, while Kalitta, Ashley and Salinas are all on the other side of the bracket. Pro Stock’s Greg Anderson couldn’t have asked for a better performance in qualifying as he looks to make a last-ditch attempt for a world championship, making the quickest run in all four sessions, including a 6.492 at 211.69 in his HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro to close out the day. It’s his third No. 1 spot this season and the 124th in his standout career. But he’ll need a near-miracle to get past Erica Enders on championship Sunday in Pomona. He trails by 104 points and Enders simply needs to win in the opening round against Fernando Cuadra to clinch her sixth world championship. Cuadra would have to knock off Enders and Anderson would have to win the race to clinch a sixth title, but he was thrilled with how his team performed during qualifying. He also has a chance to pick up his 15th career win at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip on Sunday. “Super pumped with the job these guys have done this weekend,” Anderson said. “I love this racetrack, I love racing here. Just the atmosphere, it's the perfect time to go down that racetrack and it's a great feeling. The cars just love it and the drivers love it. You saw it today, a lot of great runs in the class and I had two of them. I'm extremely pleased with my racecar this weekend. It's made four as-close-to-perfect runs you can make and you don't get that very often. It set the table to do the best job we can do tomorrow. “We don't have any clue how it'll turn out, but I've got a great horse, I've got a great racecar and if nothing else, I have a great chance to win. We'll give it all we've got tomorrow and let the cards fall where they may.” Kyle Koretsky qualified second with a 6.497 at 211.00 and Enders’ 6.500 at 210.31 puts her third heading into raceday. Eliminations for the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals begin at 11 a.m. PT on Sunday at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip.
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TOP FUEL
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Psn---Num-Driver, Home Town, Car Type---------------Qual-ET--Qual-Spd-Top Spd
1 3 Austin Prock, Pittsboro IN, JFR Fam-JFR 3.636 332.92 332.92
2 6 Steve Torrence, Kilgore TX, MLR-TFX 3.641 335.65 335.65
3 2 Antron Brown, Pittsboro IN, DSR-DSM 3.663 335.82 335.82
4 7211 Mike Salinas, San Jose CA, MLR-TFX 3.663 332.26 333.33
5 10 Doug Kalitta, Saline MI, Kalitta-AJPE 3.666 333.25 336.99
6 777 Leah Pruett, Lake Havasu City AZ, DSR-DSM 3.674 336.40 336.40
7 474 Billy Torrence, Kilgore TX, MLR-TFX 3.682 336.74 336.74
8 4 Justin Ashley, Farmingdale NY, DSR-AJPE 3.682 334.73 334.73
9 1 Brittany Force, Yorba Linda CA, JFR Fam-JFR 3.682 328.14 328.14
10 9 Shawn Langdon, Danville IN, Kalitta-AJPE 3.693 330.07 330.07
11 356 Tony Schumacher, Lakeway TX, DSM-DSM 3.703 331.20 331.20
12 182 Dan Mercier, St-Michel PQ, McKinney-TFX 3.716 328.14 328.14
13 7 Josh Hart, Ocala FL, MLR-AJPE 3.742 329.50 329.50
14 51 Clay Millican, Drummonds TN, DSR-AJPE 3.758 306.19 306.19
15 391 Spencer Hyde, Stanford ON, MLR-AJPE 3.778 323.27 323.27
16 7727 Ron August, Pleasanton CA, McKinney-TFX 3.858 312.64 312.64
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FUNNY CAR
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1 2 Robert Hight, Yorba Linda CA, '23 Camaro 3.844 331.61 332.02
2 5 John Force, Yorba Linda CA, '22 Camaro 3.862 328.14 328.14
3 6 Cruz Pedregon, Brownsburg IN, '22 Charger 3.865 330.15 330.15
4 14 Matt Hagan, Christiansburg VA, '23 Charger 3.869 328.46 332.51
5 116 Paul Lee, Anaheim CA, '20 Charger 3.869 327.03 327.43
6 4 Bob Tasca III, Cranston RI, '23 Mustang 3.880 336.99 336.99
7 1 Ron Capps, Carlsbad CA, '22 GR Supra 3.882 332.02 332.43
8 473 Chad Green, Midland TX, '19 Mustang 3.893 325.06 325.06
9 373 J.R. Todd, Jupiter FL, '22 GR Supra 3.904 326.08 326.08
10 9 Tim Wilkerson, Springfield IL, '18 Mustang 3.928 328.22 328.22
11 700 Steven Densham, Oceanside CA, '18 Mustang 3.949 318.02 318.02
12 256 Blake Alexander, Charlotte NC, '19 Mustang 3.981 319.52 319.52
13 40 Alex Laughlin, Bluff Dale TX, '22 Charger 3.993 320.36 320.36
14 3095 Bobby Bode, Deer Park IL, '18 Mustang 3.995 283.25 283.25
15 121 Terry Haddock, Temple TX, '18 Mustang 4.019 306.95 306.95
16 717 Jeff Diehl, Salinas CA, '19 Camry 4.025 306.74 306.74
------------ Not Qualified ------------
17 750 Del Worsham, Villa Park CA, '23 Supra 4.062 312.78 312.78
18 766 Jason Rupert, Anaheim Hills CA, '17 Mustang 4.066 317.42 317.42
19 7 Alexis DeJoria, Austin TX, '22 GR Supra 5.365 139.91 139.91
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PRO STOCK
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1 2 Greg Anderson, Mooresville NC, '22 Camaro 6.492 211.30 211.69
2 5 Kyle Koretsky, Fairless Hill PA, '22 Camaro 6.497 211.00 211.56
3 1 Erica Enders, Houston TX, '21 Camaro 6.500 210.31 210.47
4 4 Troy Coughlin Jr., Delaware OH, '22 Camaro 6.500 210.01 210.57
5 3 Aaron Stanfield, Bossier City LA, '22 Camaro 6.501 211.10 211.10
6 25 Jeg Coughlin, Delaware OH, '20 Camaro 6.507 209.20 210.21
7 6 Matt Hartford, Phoenix AZ, '16 Camaro 6.510 211.03 211.03
8 9 Bo Butner, Floyd Knobs IN, '22 Camaro 6.510 210.08 210.47
9 14 Camrie Caruso, Denver NC, '13 Camaro 6.517 211.33 211.33
10 7 Dallas Glenn, Mooresville NC, '22 Camaro 6.519 209.85 209.98
11 494 Jerry Tucker, Lindsay OK, '20 Camaro 6.521 210.24 211.10
12 52 Deric Kramer, Parker CO, '20 Camaro 6.522 211.49 211.49
13 406M Fernando Cuadra Jr., Leon MX, '21 Mustang 6.525 211.30 211.30
14 410M Fernando Cuadra, Leon MX, '21 Mustang 6.535 206.45 209.39
15 8 Cristian Cuadra, Leon MX, '23 Mustang 6.538 210.67 211.00
16 400 Mason McGaha, Odessa TX, '22 Camaro 6.540 210.64 210.64
------------ Not Qualified ------------
17 193 Eric Latino, Cornelius NC, '22 Camaro 6.547 209.79 209.79
18 150 Kenny Delco, E. Setauket NY, '20 Camaro 6.548 210.18 210.21
19 4264 Chris McGaha, Odessa TX, '22 Camaro 6.550 209.20 209.62
20 799 Steve Graham, S. San Francisco CA, '16 Camaro 6.594 208.59 208.59
21 127 Val Smeland, Shirley NY, '16 Camaro 6.597 205.54 205.54
22 703 Joey Grose, Lodi CA, '23 Camaro 6.616 207.24 207.24
23 106 Alan Prusiensky, Rockaway NJ, '16 Dart 6.629 206.35 206.54
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PRO STOCK MOTO
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1 79 Gaige Herrera, DeMotte IN, Suzuki Hayabusa 6.661 203.80 203.80
2 300 Hector Arana Jr, East Northport NY, EBR 6.729 201.28 201.85
3 7 Eddie Krawiec, Brownsburg IN, Suzuki Hayabusa 6.734 201.94 201.94
4 1981 Kelly Clontz, Hughesville MD, Suzuki TL 6.751 200.26 200.26
5 5 Steve Johnson, Birmingham AL, Suzuki TL1000 6.765 197.59 198.55
6 8 Marc Ingwersen, Findlay OH, EBR 6.776 199.55 199.55
7 15 Jianna Evaristo, San Jose CA, Suzuki 6.784 197.77 197.77
8 473 LE Tonglet, Metairie LA, Suzuki 6.791 199.20 199.32
9 4 Jerry Savoie, Cut Off LA, Suzuki 6.797 197.25 197.54
10 1 Matt Smith, King NC, Suzuki Hayabusa 6.810 198.32 198.38
11 1628 John Hall, Hamden CT, EBR 6.825 198.47 198.47
12 10 Ryan Oehler, Bloomington IL, EBR 6.929 195.19 195.19
13 3 Angie Smith, King NC, Buell 1190RX 6.944 166.91 166.91
14 17 Chris Bostick, Mount Juliet TN, EBR 6.952 193.96 194.72
15 745 Katie Justice, Orland CA, Suzuki TL 6.972 189.90 189.90
16 405 Blaine Hale, Midland TX, Suzuki 6.983 192.17 192.17
------------ Not Qualified ------------
17 7012 Lance Bonham, Covington LA, Buell 7.070 186.77 186.77
w/ NHRA Communications |
