NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

After earning his first career NHRA Funny Car win on Sunday in Phoenix, Funny Car driver Paul Lee heads to the 65th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip for the third race of the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.
 
Lee and his McLeod/FTI Performance Dodge Charger SRT team scored the win last weekend at the NHRA Arizona Nationals over reigning Funny Car champ Austin Prock. After two career runner-up finishes, Lee was thrilled to earn his first victory in his 11,000-horsepower Funny Car.
 
“A lot of people don't realize that it takes a lifetime a work to win a Wally, and it's not just an overnight thing. I've been working towards this since I was 13 years old,” said Lee. “It's been every day, and all I've ever thought about is not just driving a nitro Funny Car but also winning. I'm not happy just being out here. I want to win, and winning this Wally, after 50 years of hard work, is you know what? It's worth it.”
 
Last season, Justin Ashley (Top Fuel), John Force (Funny Car), and Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock) claimed Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals victories. This season’s race will again be broadcast on FS1, including elimination coverage on Sunday, March 30 at 6:30 p.m. ET. A special Right Trailers NHRA Top Fuel All-Star Callout special will air from 9:30-10:30 p.m. ET on Friday, March 28.
 
The victory continued the team’s strong momentum that included a pair of final-round appearances and a win in the Funny Car All-Star Callout last year. Now, the goal is even higher after taking over the points lead for the first time in his career heading into Pomona.
 
“Yes, we won in Phoenix, but of course, the ultimate goal is to compete for a championship, whether we get there or not, that's out of my hands,” he said. “We can control what we can control, and we just we want to be able to compete for a championship, and that's our goal.”

With his win from Phoenix, Lee will be locked into this weekend’s Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge, where he’ll rematch with Bob Tasca III. Prock will take on his John Force Racing teammate Jack Beckman.

 
To secure his second Funny Car race win at the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals this weekend, he’ll need to get past some of the best drivers in the division, including Prock and Beckman. Also in the mix will be former champions Ron Capps, Matt Hagan, and J.R. Todd, along with Gainesville winner Chad Green.

Race fans at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip can also enjoy the special pre-race ceremony that celebrates each of the drivers racing for the prestigious Wally on Sunday and includes the fan-favorite SealMaster NHRA Track Walk. The final can’t-miss experience of any NHRA event is the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday after racing concludes, where fans are invited to congratulate the event winners.

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying features qualifying at 1 p.m. and 3:30 PT on Friday and the final two rounds on Saturday at 12:30 and 3 p.m. The finals of the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge take place at the end of final qualifying in each category. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. PT on Sunday. Television coverage includes qualifying on FS1 at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday and noon on Sunday, leading into eliminations at 6:30 p.m. ET. A special Right Trailers Top Fuel All-Star Callout special will air from 9:30-10:30 p.m. ET on Friday.