NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Last weekend in Gainesville, the Whiteley family had double the reasons to celebrate after it carded two victories: Steven in Pro Mod and Annie in Top Alcohol Funny Car. It wasn’t the first time the winner’s circle was a family affair, however. There have been many instances of family members scoring victories at the same event, including eight parent-child doubles. Following are the first five instances where a father shared the winner’s circle with his son or daughter.

Kenny and Brandon Bernstein (2001 spring Las Vegas)

The Bernsteins had one of their most memorable weekends at a dragstrip when they both drove to victory at the spring event in Las Vegas in 2001. Kenny scored first, defeating Andrew Cowin in the Top Fuel final, then he watched from the starting line as son Brandon got around Mark Hentges to claim the Top Alcohol Dragster Wally.

Sam and Peter Biondo (2002 Englishtown)

The Biondos joined the Bernsteins as the only father-son combo to win at the same event when they both won at their hometown event in 2002. Dad Sam earned top honors in Super Stock, getting the better of Steve Sweitzer in the final. Peter then joined his dad in the winner’s circle when he outlasted Thomas Baird in Stock. In addition to sharing the winner’s circle with his dad, Peter has also won alongside brother Sal twice, in Reading in 2007 and Gainesville in 2011.

John and Ashley Force (2004 Pomona finale)

The lone father-daughter double comes courtesy of the Forces, which earned two victories at the 2004 season finale. John won the event’s Funny Car title, outlasting Del Worsham, and daughter Ashley was the Top Alcohol Dragster champ. She bested Mitch Meyers in that class’ final.

Ray and Dave Connolly (2008 Bristol)

Both Ray and Dave Connolly had wins under their belt before the 2008 Bristol event, but that weekend in Tennessee very likely ranks among their favorite at a dragstrip thanks to them both winning. Ray was victorious in Super Gas, besting Michael Ruff in the final. Dave earned his 18th career Pro Stock Wally that weekend when he got around Greg Stanfield in the title round.

Dan and Thomas Fletcher (2009 Reading)

While dad Dan is approaching 100 national event wins, Thomas only has one so far to his credit, but, man, was it a memorable one because it came alongside a win by his dad. Dan won Comp during the 2009 Reading race, topping Charlie Greco in the final to earn the first half of the Fletcher double. Thomas completed it with a final-round win against Kevin Fogerty in Super Stock.

In addition to the parent-child doubles listed above, Rickie and Matt Smith (2013 Reading), Edmond and Ryan Richardson (2014 Atlanta), and Jeff and Cody Lane (2016 Seattle) have also shared a national event winner’s circle.