San Jacinto's own EJ Veenstra says this is the year for Record Breaking.
POMONA - It was probably appropriate that Doug Kalitta picked up the win when the skies finally cleared over Auto Club Raceway. There's been a dark cloud hanging over him and his family for long enough.
Last June, Kalitta's cousin Scott Kalitta died when his Funny Car crashed during a race in Englishtown, N.J., triggering a wave of sorrow throughout the sport.
But when Doug posted an elapsed time of 3.822 seconds in the Top Fuel finals of the NHRA Winternationals on Tuesday -- besting Antron Brown's 3.847 and earning his first event victory since Scott's death -- it signaled, at least to some extent, a new beginning.
"I think of Scott when I'm up there on the line. Those thoughts are the ones that motivate you to get behind the wheel," said Doug Kalitta, who joined Scott and Scott's father, Connie, as the third Kalitta to win at Pomona. "I think he's proud that all three of us have won at the Winternationals. He's looking out for us for sure."
With rain plaguing the event since Thursday (the top two classes completed only one round of qualifying), the Winternationals concluded two days after the originally scheduled date. The top classes completed one round Sunday and three Tuesday.
But the delay probably didn't bother the winners too badly, considering how long it had been since their last victory.
Kalitta hadn't won since October 2007. As for Funny Car driver Ron Capps? Try May 2007.
But after cruising past Jim Head in the finals with a time of 4.154, the Carlsbad native's 2009 got off to a particularly auspicious start. Even so, his thoughts were with Kalitta.
"It was emotional, especially with Doug winning in front of me," Capps said. "I could imagine the emotions Connie and that whole group was going through. I was fighting back tears watching that."
To reach the final, Capps, 43, downed Funny Car power Robert Hight in the previous round. It was an intriguing semifinal, but perhaps not as compelling as the one between Head and Gary Densham, who were each competing without sponsors.
And had Head gone on to win the event, it would have been his first career victory. He's 60.
Kalitta's road to the final Tuesday included a win over Cory McClenathan in the quarterfinals and Upland resident Morgan Lucas in the semis. Five-time defending Top Fuel champion Tony Schumacher lost to Brandon Bernstein in the quarters.
Jason Line won the Pro Stock division, beating Mike Edwards in the final. But the day belonged equally to Pro Stock driver Greg Anderson, who set a national record with an ET of 6.528 seconds in the quarterfinals.
2010 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series Schedule
50th annual Kragen O'Reilly NHRA Winternationals Feb. 11-14 Pomona
Full Event Tickets
Top Eliminator Club (Best Value) $325.00
4-Day Reserved Seat (available via phone only) $150.00
4-Day General Admission $130.00
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Adult General Admission $25.00
Junior General Admission (6-12 years) $10.00
Friday, February 12, 2010
Adult General Admission $30.00
Junior General Admission (6-12 years) $10.00
Adult Reserved Seat $40.00
Junior Reserved Seat (6-12 years) $15.00
Child Reserved Seat (5 years & under) $10.00
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Adult General Admission $50.00
Junior General Admission (6-12 years) $10.00
Adult Reserved Seat $62.00
Junior Reserved Seat (6-12 years) $20.00
Child Reserved Seat (5 years & under) $10.00
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Adult General Admission $50.00
Junior General Admission (6-12 years) $10.00
Adult Reserved Seat $62.00
Junior Reserved Seat (6-12 years) $20.00
Child Reserved Seat (5 years & under) $10.00
Children 5 and under admitted FREE
to general admission areas.
EVERY TICKET'S A PIT PASS!
Upgrade to the Top Eliminator Club!
The Top Eliminator Club is the ultimate way to enjoy NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. Upgrade to the Top Eliminator Club and enjoy prime starting line seating, access to the members-only TEC Hospitality Center, daily complimentary refreshments, complimentary catered meals on Saturday and Sunday and a special gift bag. Top Eliminator Club members also enjoy special appearances by drag racing stars of today and legends of yesteryear. The Top Eliminator Club is the best value in drag racing. Capacity is limited. Call 800-884-NHRA today or click the TEC logo to purchase your Top Eliminator Club tickets.
Group Tickets Start at $17.50
A day at the races is a great way to entertain clients, employees or friends. Ticket discounts of more than 30% are available to groups purchasing 20 or more tickets for any single day of the Kragen O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals presented by Valvoline. To place your group ticket order or for more information call Mike Fornataro at 626-250-2210 or email Mike at mfornataro@nhra.com.
How To Purchase Tickets
Individual event tickets may be purchased by calling the NHRA Ticket Office at 800-884-NHRA, on-line at Ticketmaster.com or at any Los Angeles area Ticketmaster outlet including Macy’s Stores.
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