POMONA, Calif. (March 20, 2023) – A new era in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series’ storied history in Pomona is set to begin later this month, as the newly-named In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip hosts one of NHRA’s iconic events, the 63rd annual Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals on March 30-April 2.
The facility has played host to NHRA history for more than six decades and this year’s Lucas NHRA Winternationals marks an exciting new chapter with the first official race with the In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip name. It comes as the third race in the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season, with all the top stars in Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock looking for an early-season victory at the legendary dragstrip.
The race will also feature the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge, an exciting new special program that debuts this season and will take place on Saturday. Offering bonus money and bonus points, the challenge will feature the rematch of the semifinalists at Phoenix, with the winners meeting up in the finals. It will make for a thrilling Saturday, leading right into the must-see action of Sunday eliminations at one of the most historic venues on the NHRA tour.
Justin Ashley (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car) and Erica Enders (Pro Stock) all won last year in Pomona and this year’s race will again be broadcast on Fox Sports 1 (FS1), including eliminations at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 2.
Ashley’s 2022 season in Top Fuel started with a victory and he continued to roll, racking up four wins and staying in the championship hunt until the final day of the season. He’ll look for more Pomona success against the likes of area native and defending world champ Brittany Force, four-time world champ Steve Torrence, Gainesville winner Mike Salinas, Antron Brown, Josh Hart, Doug Kalitta, Leah Pruett, Tony Schumacher, Clay Millican and Austin Prock.
In Funny Car, Hight scored his fifth career win at Pomona last season en route to one of the most successful seasons in his career. Hight claimed eight victories in 2022, finishing second in points to Ron Capps, who won his second straight world title. Both will be chasing Pomona glory, as will Gainesville winner Matt Hagan, John Force, who has 16 wins at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, J.R. Todd, Bob Tasca III, Alexis DeJoria and Tim Wilkerson.
Enders won the Winternationals for the first time in 2022, as the five-time Pro Stock world champ also laid claim to a victory at the 900th race in class history. It kicked off a dominant season that included 10 wins and a world title and she’ll try to match that in a loaded category that also features Greg Anderson, who has 14 wins at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, Dallas Glenn, Gainesville winner Troy Coughlin Jr., Kyle Koretsky and Aaron Stanfield.
The Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, featuring some of the top racers in the country. The Legends Nitro Funny Cars will be in action during the weekend as well as part of their 2023 tour, while the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department will hold a special racing exhibition. Following nitro qualifying on Friday and Saturday, the “Walking Tall” P.T. Cruiser Wheelstander driven by “NitroMike” Kunz will put on a show for the fans, as will the cackle fest taking place in the Hot Rod Junction throughout the weekend.
An autograph session will take place on Saturday at the Toyota Display with Toyota-sponsored drivers, along with a special session featuring participants in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge.
Fans will also be invited all weekend long to the Nitro Alley Stage, which will help create a festive atmosphere leading into the nitro pits. The Nitro Alley Stage will be the main entertainment hub in the pits when the Camping World Drag Racing Series competitors are not on the track, hosting Nitro School, meet and greets, music and much more.
Race fans at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce and celebrate each of the drivers racing for the prestigious Wally on Sunday and includes the fan favorite SealMaster Track Walk. The final can’t-miss experience of any NHRA event is the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday after racing concludes, where fans are invited to congratulate the event winners of the race.
As always, fans also get an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet in Pomona. This opportunity gives fans a unique chance to see teams in action and service their hot rods between rounds, get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers, and more. Fans can also visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create an exciting atmosphere that includes interactive displays, simulated competitions, merchandise, food, and fun for the entire family.
NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature one round at 3 p.m. PT on Friday, March 31, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, April 1 at 12 and 3 p.m. The finals of the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge take place at the end of final qualifying in each category. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. PT on Sunday, April 2. Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 7:00 p.m. ET. on Saturday and 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, leading into eliminations at 7 p.m. ET.
To purchase tickets to the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, fans can visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. Children 12 and under are free in general admission areas with the purchase of an adult ticket. For more information on NHRA, please visit www.NHRA.com.
Courtesy NHRA Communications
