Jeff Arend filled in for Alexis DeJoria in the Patron Tequila entry at this event. DeJoria is recovering from a concussion suffered at Las Vegas. Arend got past Matt Hagan in the first round, but fell to Courtney Force 3.922/319.75 to 3.979/323.97 in the next. (Tim Marshall photo)

PRO STOCK

Anderson won the battle, but Line won the war. (Tim Marshall photo)

Jason Line versus Greg Anderson in the final round of the final event of the 2016 Pro Stock season was anticlimactic but nonetheless appropriate and exciting.

Anderson, who defeated teammate Jason Line on Feb. 14 on a holeshot in the inaugural race of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season on the same Pomona racing surface, repeated the scenario to register his 86th career Pro Stock victory, which broke a tie with Bob Glidden for second all time in the class.

Warren Johnson, who was at the racetrack assisting Chevy driver Matt Hartford, is No. 1 with 97 wins. John Force leads all professional classes with 147 wins.

Anderson qualified third with a 6.555/210.80 run. He defeated Aaron Strong in Round One (6.576/210.80 to 6.633/208.78) and Shane Gray in Round Two (6.592/210.37 to 6.596/210.47)

Line clinched the Pro Stock championship in his semifinal defeat of 2015 Pro Stock champ, Erica Enders, right before Anderson had to drive in his own semifinal round.

Anderson’s disappointment over falling three points shy of securing his fifth Pro Stock title was short-lived. He dispatched Bo Butner, driving the KB Racing-prepared Jim Butner Auto Chevrolet Camaro SS, in the semifinal, 6.596/210.54 to 6.630/210.41.

Line qualified Number One with a 6.545 second, 211.33 mph pass. He defeated Alan Prusiensky in Round One of eliminations (6.560/211.13 to 6.657/208.14); Chris McGaha in Round Two (6.605/209.33 to 6.607/209.43); and Erica Enders-Stevens in the semi-finals (6.590/210.54 to 13.902/63.67).