NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

The 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series kicked off at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, and there were story lines aplenty in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock. From the debut of the new EFI Pro Stockers to a pair of incredibly close nitro finals, the Circle K NHRA Winternationals was filled with action and excitement.

In Top Fuel, Steve Torrence started his 2016 campaign on a very high note, qualifying No. 1, then edging Doug Kalitta in a tight final to win his sixth class Wally.

Ron Capps was the final racer standing in the Funny Car ranks after besting reigning world champ Del Worsham in the final, but he wasn't the only competitor to make headlines. Jack Beckman picked up right where he left off last season performance-wise, running a 3.888 to qualify No. 1. Gary Densham also had people buzzing after his parachutes failed to deploy on his third qualifying pass, and he went through the sand and into the crash net (more here).

The new-look Pro Stockers that feature no head scoops, electronic fuel injection, and 10,500 rev limiters debuted this weekend, and no one was better in the new configuration than KB Racing, which held the top three qualifying spots and accounted for three of the four final cars Sunday. The final was also an all-KB Racing affair in which Greg Anderson defeated Jason Line.

In the Sportsman ranks, Dan Fletcher and Robert Naber each had long weekends in two classes, both coming up just one round-win short of scoring an elusive double. Fletcher won in Stock before falling in the Comp final, and Naber took top honors in Super Gas and finished as the runner-up in Super Comp.

Now’s your chance. If you were one of the judges, who would get your vote?

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