NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

The weather-related schedule change for the first day of the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals in Pomona had an unintended consequence as one day eliminations allowed the crowning of five Lucas Oil Series Sportsman world champions.

Following a full day of non-stop action, Jeff Taylor (Comp), Chad Webber (Super Comp), JJ Brock (Super Gas), Casey Plazier (Right Trailers Top Dragster) and Darian Boesch (Right Trailers Top Sportsman) clinched titles and will each wear the coveted No. 1 on their respective race cars next season.

Although he was not entered in the event, Boesch was front and center for much of the day as he was the incoming leader in both Top Dragster and Top Sportsman. Boesch’s chance for a double championship ended in round one when Jessica Eastburn won the opening round of Top Dragster.

Eastburn then lost in round two and then had to watch as Casey Plazier needed to win the event in order to pass her. Plazier handled the pressure like a pro and went to the final round where his path was made far less difficult when he raced his teammate and fellow Canadian, Aaron Steinkey, in the final round. Steinkey reported that his entry was broke, giving Plazier the title.

Boesch’s path to the Top Sportsman title was a bit less stressful as David Cook and Dan Lafferty, the only drivers who had a mathematical chance to catch him, were both eliminated in round one. Lafferty, winner of the Division 7 event in Las Vegas last weekend, lost to Mike Lucas, who ran right on his dial, while Cook dropped a tough racer to veteran Ted Kellner. Boesch previously won the 2020 Right Trailers Top Sportsman title and has multiple Top 10 finishes to his credit.

The next title to fall came in Super Gas where Brock clinched his first title even though he was 2,000 miles away at his home in South Carolina. Brock had to sweat a challenge from defending champ Val Torres, Bo Butner, and Evan Kowalski. Torres lost in the opening round while Kowalski and Butner lost on back-to-back runs in the second. Butner’s loss was especially painful as he fell victim to a nearly perfect run by opponent Loreen Rogers, who coupled a .005 light with a 9.905.

Brock kicked off his 2025 season with a win at the Baby Gators Division 2 Lucas Oil Series event in Gainesville and added a win at the Virginia Nationals in Richmond and a pair of runner-up finishes at the national event in Charlotte and the Division 2 event in Rockingham.

Taylor has long been considered one of the best sportsman racers in the history of NHRA and he’s added to his legacy with a fifth world title, and second in Comp Eliminator. Taylor entered Pomona as the leader after winning a week ago in Las Vegas but had to fend off Division 6 ace Jeff Lane, who went a perfect five-for-five in Lucas Oil Series events this season. The title was decided in round two when Lane lost to fellow D6 racer Ryan Warter.

Taylor last won the Comp title in 2005, and was also crowned Stock champ in 1981, and has Super Stock championships in 1988 and 1991.

In Super Comp, incoming leader Kris Whitfield lost early and had to watch from the sidelines as his lone challenger, Chad Webber had to win the race in order to pass him. Webber ultimately finished the job when he defeated Doug Johnson in a close final round.

Webber, who won three times in four final rounds, is the brother of reigning Top Dragster champ Cody Webber.

The final title to be decided will be in Top Alcohol Dragster, where defending champ Shawn Cowie is attempting to fend off a challenge from five-time champ Joey Severance. Severance advanced though Thursday’s opening round while Cowie lost to Melanie Johnson. Severance needs to win the final round in order to win the title.

IN-N-OUT BURGER NHRA FINALS SPORTSMAN CHAMPIONS

COMP
Jason Grima, Ford Mustang, 6.998, 187.36  def. Melissa Murphy, dragster, 6.797, 197.25.

SUPER STOCK
John Calvert, Ford Mustang, 8.489, 154.30  def. Ryan McClanahan, Chevy Cobalt, 8.210, 164.13.

STOCK
Leo Glasbrenner, Chevy Camaro, 9.447, 136.47  def. Joe Sorensen, Camaro, 11.026, 119.18.

SUPER COMP
Chad Webber, Dragster, 8.911, 167.76  def. Doug Johnson, Dragster, 8.892, 178.92.

SUPER GAS
Ed DeStaute, Chevy Corvette, 9.934, 128.43  def. Jerry Denton, Corvette, 9.843, 160.65.

RIGHT TRAILERS TOP DRAGSTER
Casey Plaizier, Dragster, 12.235, no speed  def. Aaron Steinkey, Dragster, Broke - No Show. 

RIGHT TRAILERS TOP SPORTSMAN
Bryan Warr, Chevy Camaro, 7.187, 198.17  def. Ed Olpin, Camaro, 6.948, 196.99.