CIRCLE K NHRA WINTERNATIONALS

Roger Rohrdanz October 21, 2022 All Feature Vehicles

NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Season Kicks Off at Pomona

The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series began its 24-event season with the Circle K Winternationals. Competitors come from Europe, Australia, New Zeland and Canada to make this an international event. In the U.S., racers came from all seven NHRA divisions to participate.

The weekend weather included a brief rain Saturday evening; other than that, the temperatures were in the low 80s. The track was ready for good times. The wheelstanding Stock Eliminators and Super Stocks were, as usual, very entertaining. Top Fuel Harleys were an interesting addition.

The awesome Winged Express Fuel Altered made several exciting runs. Last year’s Pro Stock champion Erica Enders-Stevens was beaten by her new teammate, rookie Drew Skillman. Later, in the Pro Stock final, Skillman lost to Jason Line.

Funny Car, Matt Hagan, 4.011 seconds at 320.89 mph beat Ron Capps, 4.078 seconds at 314.90 mph.

Top Fuel, Shawn Langdon, 3.799 seconds at 309.9 mph beat Antron Brown, 3.804 seconds at 310.70 mph.

In Funny Cars, Courtney Force and her new Camaro took Top Speed and Low E.T. of the event with 322 mph and 3.995 seconds. In the Funny Car final, last year’s champ Matt Hagan beat Ron Capps.

In Top Fuel, Antron Brown took out his teammate Tony Schumacher in the first round, and then lost in the final to Shawn Langdon. Langdon entered the weekend without a full-time sponsor but was supported by Allen Johnson and Food Network star Guy Fieri.

In the pits, a classic car show, celebrity autographs, Nitro Alley and food vendors were packed with families enjoying the show.

There are 23 more races to go in the 2015 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series and we can’t wait!