Pomona Sizzles to Life
Words by Darr Hawthorne
Photos by James Drew
2/10/06
Hot summer-like temperatures opened the first qualifying session of the 2006 NHRA POWERade season at the Winternationals held at Pomona Raceway.
Five-time IHRA Top Fuel Champion Clay Millican led qualifying after one round into the NHRA season. Millican celebrated his 40th birthday by running a 4.528/312.86 in the Werner Enterprises dragster to lead a total of 20 Top Fuel dragsters. Closely following Millican in the provisional second position are Doug Kalitta with a 4.538 and J.R. Todd running the quickest pass he has made in competition at 4.578/294.88 shutting off early.
John Force regained his championship form in Funny Car posting a strong
4.742/326.63. He was followed in the second slot by independent flopper pilot Tim Wilkerson at 4.770/323.58.
After the first session Pro Stock Jason Line led with a 6.743/205.10 mph in his Summit Racing Pontiac GTO, teammate and reigning champ Greg Anderson bookends qualifying in the 23rd spot after his car shook hard and shut off.
SPORTSMAN ACTION
Thursday’s sportsman qualifying led off with Alcohol Funny Car. Southern California pilot Jay Payne leads the field with a Brad Anderson-tuned 5.587/257.48.