Friday's Winternationals photo blog
Friday, February 10, 2012
Another beautiful, sunny, and cloudless day at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, where today will offer a mirror schedule of Thursday, with Sportsman action early followed by the Full Throttle teams at 1:30 p.m. |
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One of the more popular attractions in Nitro Alley, NHRA's interactive area, is the Traxxas display, where fans can try their hands at radio-controlled cars from Traxxas, the Official Radio-Controlled Performance Products of the NHRA. Fans can test their skills with off-road trucks on a jump-filled dirt track or with street-type cars on a twisting road course. Traxxas techs and sales representatives also are on hand to answer questions. |
The daily unload is underway as the teams for Spencer Massey's Prestone Top Fuel dragster (above) and Tony Pedregon's American Racing Wheels Funny Car get set for another day of qualifying. |
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John Force dispenses some advice to his daughter Funny Car rookie Courtney while both prepare for their second runs of the season later today. On Friday, Force drove his Castrol GTX High Mileage Mustang to a 4.192, and Courtney ran 4.210 in her new Traxxas Mustang. They are currently qualified Nos. 5 and 6, respectively. |
[1 p.m.] Former NFL quarterback Danny White, center, part of the Dallas Cowboys' 1978 Super Bowl-winning team, is a guest at the event of Texas Top Fuel racer Steve Torrence, left. Zak Elcock of the NHRA Media Department hosted a Q&A with White, Torrence, and the media prior to the day's first qualifying session. |
Mark Lyle, NHRA's new Chief Starter, is making his debut this weekend as the master of the starting line. |
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| The NHRA Tech Department continues to do random post-run inspections of cars in select classes to ensure a level playing field for all. |
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[1:30 p.m.] Former Pro Stock world champ Jeg Coughlin Jr. continues to struggle in his return to action. His JEGS/Mopar Dodge Avenger ran a 6.673 today, well shy of the bump spot. He'll have two more shots Saturday. |
[2 p.m.] Reigning Pro Stock champ Jason Line set top speed in the second qualifying session at 212.19 mph, just shy of the track mark of 212.43 held by Erica Enders. Line is qualified No. 4. Mike Edwards remains No. 1. |
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[2:20 p.m.] (Above) Top Fuel rookie Khalid alBalooshi is looking good in his nitro debut in the Al-Anabi Racing gold entry, charting a 3.845, which is good for the No. 3 qualifying position with two sessions left.
(Left) Bob Vandergriff Jr. and the C&J Energy Services team are qualified solidly in the No. 4 spot in Top Fuel after two sessions by charting a 3.854-best pass.
Morgan Lucas remains the No. 1 qualifier based on his Thursday 3.832. |
Bob Tasca III raced his Quick Lane/Motorcraft Mustang into the qualifying lead in Funny Car with a 4.109. |
| Southern California Funny Car veteran Gary Densham sent a shock wave through the class by powering his indepdent entry to a 4.175, which was good for the No. 5 spot entering Saturday's final-two qualifying passes. |
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Reigning NHRA Full Throttle champ Matt Hagan and his new-look Aaron's Charger are qualified No. 3 at 4.154. |