NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Rodger Brogdon secured his second-ever No. 1 qualifier and his first since 2011 by standing on his run from the third qualifying session, a 6.522. His fourth-session run was his worst of the weekend, a 6.563, but it was representative of the session as most racers slowed due to relatively warm conditions (an 83* racetrack is warm in Pomona in February). 

He gets to race Val Smeland in the first round, and Elite Motorsports teammates Erica Enders and Jeg Coughlin Jr. also finished in the top four. They’re separated by just over .02-second, and the whole class is separated by .04-second from Brogdon to Smeland. Joey Grose and Shane Tucker failed to make the field with 6.685 and 6.715 passes. 

First-round matchups: Rodger Brogdon vs. Val Smeland; Erica Enders vs. Jeff Isbell; Bo Butner vs. Alan Prusiensky; Jeg Coughlin Jr. vs. Steve Graham; Deric Kramer vs. Fernando Cuadra; Jason Line vs. Chris McGaha; Jason Line vs. Matt Hartford; Kenny Delco vs. Alex Laughlin

Final Qualifying Order: