NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

For more than five decades, NHRA National Dragster's famed Tricky Tipster has tested his prognosticating skills prior to each national event, putting odds on the top eight racers he thinks have the best shot at victory in Tricky Tipster. This week, Tricky Tipster handicaps the NHRA SpringNationals.

TOP FUEL Funny Car | Pro Stock | Top Alcohol Dragster | Top Alcohol Funny Car | Pro Mod
	Brittany Force • Monster Energy The points leader has been in three of the past four finals and won two of them. The question in the pits has gone from “When is she going to win a race?” to “How are we going to slow her down?”	2-1
	Antron Brown • Matco Tools He has been to the final round during every even year and won twice here since the start of his Top Fuel career in 2008.	4-1
	Doug Kalitta • Mac Tools The last time he made a pass in Houston, the rumble in the earth carried on after his run concluded due to the mosh-pit celebration on the starting line.	5-1
	Steve Torrence • Capco Contractors The Pomona winner qualified No. 1 in Charlotte and is highly motivated to score a win in his home state.	6-1
	Clay Millican • Parts Plus/Great Clips He is No. 4 in the Mello Yello standings and ready to join Brittany Force and Leah Pritchett as drivers to earn their first Top Fuel wins in 2016.	7-1
	J.R. Todd • SealMaster He has had no issue going rounds this season, and now his dragster is qualifying better, which will put him in a better position on race day.	8-1
	Richie Crampton • Lucas Oil This team worked through some bugs that plagued its consistency early this season. It won here in 2012 with Morgan Lucas behind the wheel.	8-1
	Tony Schumacher • U.S. Army Several teams would like to be as good when they are thriving as “the Sarge” is when he is struggling. The Chicago native has had big wins in his newly adopted home state.	10-1
FUNNY CAR
	Tim Wilkerson • Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford There are several strong, competitive cars in this class right now, but only one has two wins this season. With how well Wilk’s car ran to en route to win No. 2 in Charlotte, it’s hard to argue against him being atop the rankings.	2-1
	Alexis DeJoria • Patrón Toyota We realize the Las Vegas winner smoked the tires in the first round in Charlotte, but, one, hers wasn’t the only top car to trip up in that round, and, two, she looked ridiculously good in qualifying, so we can forgive the hiccup for now.	3-1
	Robert Hight • Auto Club Chevy Charlotte didn’t go as planned for the points leader, but his car has been too strong to warrant a big drop just yet. Plus, he and crew chief Mike Neff have a great Houston record, accounting for two wins, a runner-up, and two semi’s in the last five years.	4-1
	Del Worsham • DHL Toyota One of four drivers to run a three in the first round in Charlotte, the reigning world champ probably deserved better than being on the trailer after that opening round. Much like last year, the car is there — luck and miscues are holding him back at this point.	6-1
	Courtney Force • Traxxas Chevy We’re honestly a little surprised this car hasn’t landed in the winner’s circle yet because, frankly, it may very well be the best in the class. She has more three-second runs than any other driver (19) and the highest percentage of three-second passes (63 percent).	7-1
	Ron Capps • NAPA Dodge Made a nice rebound from the Las Vegas DNQ by making the final four in Charlotte, but what really moved him up from last week is his record at this race. Capps’ worst finish the last four years is a semifinal, and he is the defending winner.	8-1
	John Force • Peak Chevy His car is consistently and steadily going downtrack. The problem is he’s a little off from the top performers. If his team can kick it up a notch, we have no doubt the 16-time world champ could be a contender every week.	10-1
	Jack Beckman • Infinite Hero Dodge Eeny, meeny, miny, moe … which direction should we go? Cases could be made for putting Matt Hagan or Chad Head in this spot, but Beckman has been in the final here the last two years, and he still has Jimmy Prock on his side, so we’re picking “Fast Jack.”	11-1
PRO STOCK
	Jason Line • Summit Camaro KB Racing is still going strong. Line continued to impress by collecting his third victory this season in Charlotte, giving him momentum into this weekend.	2-1
	Greg Anderson • Summit Camaro He dominated qualifying with his second No. 1 position this season but came up just short of making the Charlotte final round. But no worries, Anderson is still a huge threat to the rest of the pack.	5-2
	Bo Butner • Jim Butner Auto Camaro He has reached the final round at two straight races, meaning it’s only a matter of time before Butner is in the winner’s circle.	3-1
	Drew Skillman • Ray Skillman Auto Camaro He proved that he can compete with those KB Racing cars by qualifying in the No. 2 position as well as making his first final-round appearance this season.	4-1
	Chris McGaha • Harlow Sammons Camaro He carries some momentum after appearing in his second final round this season. McGaha had a semifinal finish in Houston last year, and racing in his home state could bring him more confidence.	5-1
	Allen Johnson • Marathon Petroleum Dart He has been making consistent and steady runs but still lacks the quickness needed to make semifinal and final-round appearances.	7-1
	Erica Enders • Elite Motorsports Dart She continues to progress, claiming another round-win last weekend. Enders’ hometown track has been good to her; she reached the winner’s circle here in 2014 and 2015.	9-1
	Jeg Coughlin Jr. • JEGS.com Dart He hasn’t qualified well and has struggled to go rounds the last few races, but Coughlin has the second-most Pro Stock wins at this track, so Tipster won’t count him out of this one.	11-1