NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

For more than five decades, National Dragster's famed Tricky Tipster has tested his (or is it her?) prognosticating skills prior to each national event, putting odds on the top eight racers he (or she?) thinks has the best shot at victory. This week, Tricky Tipster handicaps the Circle K NHRA Winternationals.

TOP FUEL Funny Car | Pro Stock | Top Alcohol Dragster | Top Alcohol Funny Car
	Tony Schumacher • U.S. Army The quickest driver from NHRA Nitro Spring Training is geared up to start the new season in a flurry.	5-2
	Antron Brown • Matco Tools The champ isn’t one to rest on his laurels. After three runner-ups at this historic event, he is eager to win it for the first time.	3-1
	Shawn Langdon • Red Fuel/Sandvik Coromant Some people have a knack for certain racetracks. He has won the last two Pomona events with two different teams and won four of the last six.	4-1
	Steve Torrence • Capco Contractors If things go half as smoothly for Torrence this season as they did during offseason testing, then he’s going to need to make room on his mantel for more accolades.	5-1
	Doug Kalitta • Mac Tools The organization that fielded the 2015 Funny Car world champion has a pair of fast dragsters, too. The 2009 winner is going to debut his in-house chassis in competition.	6-1
	Richie Crampton • Lucas Oil He set the bar for improvement pretty high with a five-win sophomore season, so he might as well get started early.	7-1
	Brittany Force • Monster Energy Though it takes time for teams to jell after making big changes, Alan Johnson has won before in his first race with drivers Gary Scelzi and Tony Schumacher.	8-1
	Dave Connolly • C&J Energy Services A new season is a welcome sight for a team that was strengthened by last year’s uphill battle. Look for Connolly to earn a win in his fifth different class sooner than later.	10-1
FUNNY CAR
	Del Worsham • DHL Toyota He didn’t get that big, gold No. 1 on the side of his car by accident. Plus, don’t forget, the last time we were in Pomona, he was the last driver standing. Until someone else proves he or she deserves to be No. 1, we’re keeping the champ on top.	3-1
	Tommy Johnson Jr. • Make-A-Wish Dodge As if his year-end surge that included three finals in the Countdown wasn’t enough proof that Johnson and his team are a threat, he goes out and runs a 3.874 (!) in testing. Look out for T.J. not just here but throughout the year.	4-1
	Jack Beckman • Infinite Hero Dodge Our initial inclination was to put “Fast Jack” at the top, then he broke the chassis that carried him to all those killer runs last year and two 3.88s last weekend. If there’s any team that can adapt to a new car quickly, however, it’s this one.	5-1
	Ron Capps • NAPA Dodge The Tipster was very high on him at the end of last year — he finished with five straight semi’s. Our confidence in him got a bit shaken last weekend with that big boomer and the damage it caused during testing, but we still think he’s one to watch.	6-1
	Robert Hight • Auto Club Chevy You know who really caught our eye in testing? This team with its 3.88, 3.91, and 3.93 runs. If he can maintain that level of performance, the 2009 world champ could match or possibly better the semifinal showing he had at this event last year.	8-1
	Matt Hagan • Mopar Express Lane/Rocky Boots Dodge We really don’t know what to expect from this team. The end of last year was rough, and testing didn’t go too well. Frankly, all signs point to troubles, but the defending event champ just has too good of a record at this track to ignore.	9-1
	John Force • Peak Chevy Was among the quickest three both days of testing and has more wins at this track than anyone. With those and other factors considered, we like his chance of continuing the trend of winning this event in even years (he was the 2010, 2012, and 2014 champ).	11-1
	Courtney Force • Traxxas Chevy If we were going strictly off of last year’s results, she wouldn’t have made the cut, but her team looked really good in testing, including with that strong 3.89 pass. Call us crazy, but Tipster feels a big rebound coming from this team.	12-1
PRO STOCK
	Greg Anderson • Summit Camaro The winner of this race will make history with the sport’s first fuel-injected Pro Stock win. Based on the minimal amount of testing that has been done, this team is likely the early favorite.	4-1
	Allen Johnson • Marathon Dodge Reports of his demise have been greatly exaggerated. After a bit of uncertainty, A.J. is back this season with a new sponsor, and he appears to have at least a slight handle on the new EFI combo.	5-1
	Shane Gray • Gray Manufacturing Technologies Camaro He was the first driver to test a car under the new rules, and though his numbers weren’t overwhelming, he has to earn some credit for getting a jump on the competition.	7-1
	Erica Enders • Elite Motorsports Dart Admittedly a bit low for a reigning and two-time champ, but even after some impressive testing numbers, it seems a given that there will be an adjustment period with new Dodge. Then again, would it really be a surprise if she ran the table in Pomona?	8-1
	Chris McGaha • Harlow Sammons Camaro Total shot in the dark here because of changes within the class and his team, but he won three events last season to defy skeptics.	10-1
	Jeg Coughlin Jr. • Magneti Marelli/JEGS.com Dodge Dart Almost a crime to have a five-time world champ ranked this low, but he’s facing the same adversity as new teammate Enders with a new race car, new rules, and not much time to sort them out. He’ll win races this season, but he’ll most likely hit his stride in the second half.	12-1
	Jason Line • Summit Camaro What the heck is he doing all the way down here? Further evidence of just how tough this class is, the two-time champ is riding the No. 7 spot to start the season. Honestly, it’s only because of his limited seat time with the new rules.	14-1
	Vincent Nobile • Mountain View Camaro He was winless in 2015, and it’s almost a certainty that won’t happen again, especially because he’s driving the same Elite-powered Camaro that carried Enders to the 2015 title. If NHRA had a Comeback of the Year award, he’d be the preseason favorite to claim it.	16-1