Defending world champions top Tricky Tipster's Winternationals rankings

For more than five decades, NHRA National Dragster's Tricky Tipster has put odds on the top eight racers he thinks have the best shot at victory. This week, Tricky Tipster handicaps the Circle K NHRA Winternationals.

09 Feb 2017

NHRA National Dragster staff

News

TOP FUEL Funny Car \| Pro Stock
	Antron Brown • Matco Tools He is the champ for a reason; because he’s arguably the best driver in arguably the best car. He’ll be No. 1 until someone challenges him for the top spot. ODDS: 3-1
	Doug Kalitta • Mac Tools Let’s get this out of the way now: he is the best driver to have never won a championship, but the only thing preventing him from winning one is luck. He has everything else in place. ODDS: 4-1
	Steve Torrence • Capco Contractors/Rio Ammo When you have Alan Johnson on your side, good things tend to happen. Don’t be surprised to see a big year from this team. ODDS: 6-1
	Leah Pritchett • Papa John’s Pizza With a full-time ride at DSR, she’s finally got the stability that she thought she had last year. Was the star of preseason testing with a 3.65 best. ODDS: 7-1
	Brittany Force • Monster Energy Last year, she learned how to win. Now, she can mount a very serious run at the title. Once again, any car that carries Alan Johnson’s tune-up is going to be a handful on race day. ODDS: 9-1
	Tony Schumacher • U.S. Army Can the Army team rally for one more championship? Of course they can. Did not have the best test session, but it doesn’t count until Pomona, where the battle for a ninth title begins. ODDS: 10-1
	Clay Millican • Parts Plus/Great Clips This is a 3.6-second race car, so it’s almost criminal that he’s ranked seventh. That being said, he’s still awaiting a long overdue first victory. ODDS: 12-1
	Troy Coughlin Jr. • SealMaster Look closely because this might be the last time Tipster has him ranked this low. One of the most promising rookies to come along in quite some time. ODDS: 14-1

FUNNY CAR
	Ron Capps • NAPA Dodge He’ll have the No. 1 on his car for the first time in his career, and he gets our top spot to start the season. Enjoyed a very solid test session with a great 3.85 performance in Phoenix. ODDS: 3-1
	Courtney Force • Advance Auto Parts Chevy Testing numbers often don’t tell the whole story, but by any measure, her 3.80 run in Phoenix was otherworldly. At most events, that’s a very competitive Top Fuel run. ODDS: 4-1
	Robert Hight • Auto Club Chevy A bit of a hunch here, but this is another car that ran great in testing. The return of Jimmy Prock should be a difference-maker for the entire JFR team this season. ODDS: 5-1
	Matt Hagan • Mopar Express Lane Dodge The Funny Car field is so stacked that a dozen or more drivers can legitimately win any given race. That being said, this one figures to win more than most. ODDS: 7-1
	Jack Beckman • Infinite Hero Dodge Last year was forgettable for many reasons, but a quick rebound should be in order. The loss of Jimmy Prock will be felt, but there is more than enough talent at DSR to produce a winning effort. ODDS: 7-1
	John Force • Peak Chevy When he makes his first run in Pomona, it will be his 40th consecutive year as an NHRA Funny Car driver. There are few like him in any sport in any era, and he can still get it done. ODDS: 9-1
	Tommy Johnson Jr. • Make-A-Wish Dodge Might be ranked a bit higher if not for a preseason wheelstand that resulted in a bent chassis. It’s likely nothing more than a temporary setback. ODDS: 10-1
	Tim Wilkerson • Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford Remember last year when this guy came out swinging and went to the final in three of the first six races. Yes, he could do that again this season. ODDS: 13-1

PRO STOCK
	Jason Line • Summit Chevy The competition will no doubt be stronger this year, and by his own admission the KB team didn’t have the best offseason, but the reigning champ will be No. 1 until someone else takes it from him. ODDS: 7-2
	Greg Anderson • Summit Chevy Went a perfect 8-0 in Pomona last year with wins to bookend a great season. That alone makes him one of the favorites this time around. ODDS: 4-1
	Erica Enders • Elite Chevy Call this a mulligan or a do-over for a tough 2016 season, but there is a lot of optimism in the Elite camp after their return to a GM program this season. Even when this team struggled, her driving remained rock solid. ODDS: 5-1
	Tanner Gray • Gray Motorsports Chevy Why in the world would we rank a 17-year-old rookie this high? Simple. He’s the real deal and he’s going to win some races this season. ODDS: 6-1
	Jeg Coughlin Jr. • JEGS.com/Elite Chevy One of Pro Stock’s best wheelmen is back in a competitive ride for 2016. Would it be at all surprising if he wins a bunch of races and a sixth Pro Stock championship this season? ODDS: 7-1
	Vincent Nobile • Mountain View Chevy One member of the Elite team fired the first shot of 2017 saying, “We’re going to do to the KB team what they did to us last year. We’ll win lots of races.” Pro Stock will not be boring this year, folks. ODDS: 8-1
	Chris McGaha • Harlow Sammons Chevy Announced a limited schedule for 2017, but that doesn’t make him any less of a threat at the events he does attend. In fact, more shop time might turn out to be an asset. ODDS: 10-1
	Bo Butner • Butner Auto Chevy The success of this team rests squarely on his left foot. Get the clutch out on time and he’s going to win some races. The KB-powered entry does not lack for horsepower or tuning. ODDS: 13-1