NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Winningest Racers at the Winternationals

The Circle K NHRA Winternationals has produced a combined 85 different winners in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock through the years, and 31 of those drivers have won more than once. But which drivers have the most victories at the season opener?
16 Jan 2017
Candida Benson, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
Fast Five
Bob Glidden makes a run at the 1976 Winternationals

The Circle K NHRA Winternationals is just a few short weeks, and the annual season opener has produced 85 different combined winners in the Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock ranks through the years. Of those 85, 31 have won more than once, but only a few have a handful or more Winternationals victories. This week, we look at the drivers with the most Winternationals wins in the three NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series categories that begin the year in Pomona.

No. 1 (tie): John Force, 7

John Force in the 2014 Winternationals winner's circle

It’s no surprise that the sport’s winningest driver is also at the top of the Winternationals wins list, tying Bob Glidden with his seven victories at the season opener. Force first won the Winternationals in 1991, then added wins in 1993, 1997, 2002, 2010, 2012, and 2014.

No. 1 (tie): Bob Glidden, 7

Bob Glidden racing at the Winternatioanls

Much like Force, with whom he is tied for the lead, it is not a surprise to see Glidden’s name at the top of the wins list. Glidden, who still ranks in the top 10 on NHRA’s all-time wins list, has seven Winternationals Wallys on his mantle, scoring victories at the 1975, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1985, and 1989 events.

No. 3: Greg Anderson, 6

Greg Anderson in the 2016 Winternationals winner's circle

Closing in on the top spot is Anderson, who brought his Winternationals wins tally up to six when he was victorious at last year’s race. Anderson was also a Winternationals winner in 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2012.

No. 4 (tie): Don Garlits, 5

Don Garlits in the 1963 Winternationals winner's circle

The final spot on our list is a three-way tie among three legends of the sport, all with five wins. Garlits, who was voted as the No. 1 driver in NHRA history, has five victories at the season opener, making him the event’s winningest driver in Top Fuel. Garlits landed in the Pomona winner’s circle in 1963, 1971, 1973, 1975, and 1987.

No. 4 (tie): Warren Johnson, 5

Warren Johnson in the Winternationals winner's circle

“The Professor of Pro Stock” earned five Winternationals Wallys during his illustrious career. Johnson scored the first at the 1987 event, then followed that up with victories in 1993, 1994, 1997, and 2003.

No. 4 (tie): Don Prudhomme, 5

Don Prudhomme in the 1975 Winternationals winner's circle

Prudhomme is the only driver on this list to tally wins in more than one class, scoring once in Top Fuel and four times in Funny Car. Prudhomme’s Top Fuel victory came in 1965, then it was another decade before he was back in the Winternationals winner’s circle, but once he got back to his winning ways at the event, Prudhomme was unstoppable for four years, taking home Wallys in 1975, 1976, 1977, and 1978.