The Auto Club of Southern California NHRA Finals is in the history books. The Full Throttle Champions included the youngest and the oldest.
John Force, 61, captured a record 15th NHRA Full Throttle Funny Car title. He thanked his team led by Mike Neff along with Austin Coil and Bernie Fedderly.
Force was seriously injured in a racing accident during the late 2007 season. His career as a driver was in jeopardy and his struggle with rehabilitation was a tough one.
After his win, Force said, “And thank you to the doctors who got my arms and legs back. I’m 40 again. I’m still ugly, but I’m 40. At the end of the day, the sponsors, the family, my wife, my children were all behind me when I said, “ I’m useless.” And the cheers of the crowd, you’re something else.”
The youngest NHRA Title holder was LE Tonglet in the Pro Stock Motorcycle class. Tonglet, 20, came into the event second, just as Force did.
Larry Dixon cinched the title in the NHRA Full Throttle Top Fuel category and Greg Anderson won the Pro Stock Championship title.
The event winners at Pomona were Antron Brown in Top Fuel, John Force in Funny Car, Shane Gray in Pro Stock and Eddie Krawiec in Pro Stock Motorcycle.
Gray was looking for his first win and out-ran one of the best leavers in the Pro Stock class, Jeg Coughlin. Coughlin announced he would not race in the 2011 season, but look for a probable return after that.
Krawiec won the first race of the Pro Stock Motorcycle season at the Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fl. He failed to grab another final round win until the last race of the season. He made the quickest pass in class history and a new national record at 6.811.
Antron Brown claimed his 25th NHRA pro victory when Shawn Langdon smoked his tires. Brown has struggled this year, so his victory may bode well for next season.
