Force back in the winner’s circle at Pomona

John Force has exorcised the demons of 2011 by taking a stunning victory at the Pomona Winternationals aboard his Castrol GTX Funny Car. He was joined in victory lane by Spencer Massey in Top Fuel and Greg Anderson in Pro Stock.

Force claimed his sixth Winternationals crown in a time of of 4.080 seconds at 315.64 mph. Team-mate and runner up Mike Neff finished in 4.036 at 316.82 in his Castrol GTX Mustang.

The Force team found each other throughout the day, with Neff eliminating 23-year-old daughter of Force – Courtney – in her NHRA Full Throttle Championship debut.

TOP FUEL
Spencer Massey took his seventh career final round victory in eliminating Antron Brown.

Massey posted a 3.750 at 325.77 in his FRAM/Prestone dragster to hold off Brown’s charging Matco Tools dragster, which trailed with a 3.794 at 320.43.

Earlier in the event, Brown knocked out Cory McClenathan in the Australian-owned Rapisarda Racing car. McClenathan made the 16 car event by qualifying in 13th position.

PRO STOCK
Greg Anderson shot to his 71st career victory and fifth Winternationals crown by holding out Jeg Coughlin Jnr. in Coughlin’s return to the Pro ranks.

Anderson set a 6.549 at 210.87mph to Coughlin’s 6.586 at 209.62mph to take the win.

Anderson raced past Larry Morgan, Allen Johnson and teammate and defending champ Jason Line to advance to the final.

The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series carries on to Arizona next weekend.