The famed Pomona Dragstrip once again hosted the National Hot Rod Association’s final round of the 2023 World Championships at the In-N-Out Burger NHRA National Finals for Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle. Sunday’s elimination rounds at the historic Southern California Fairplex was the sixth of six Countdown to the Championship rounds for nitro and stock teams and drivers.
The race for titles started in September at Maple Grove Raceway for the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals, where the top 10 racers in each of the four professional categories qualified to battle it out for the title in their respective classes. Points were reset among the qualifiers, with the leader enjoying a 20-point cushion ahead of the No. 2-seeded racer. The remaining qualified drivers are separated in 10-point increments.
But, drivers who didn't make the cut for the Countdown still had a shot at being a major part of the action. Fact is the NHRA welcomes non-qualifiers to join in on the final six races since they can play spoiler, shake up the points standings, compete for prize money, and even use the opportunity to fine-tune their skills for the 2024 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing season. In-N-Out Burger Pomona Raceway is where legends are made.
Doug Kalitta Wins First NHRA Top Fuel World Championship
After years of waiting, Kalitta finally achieved his dream of winning the NHRA Top Fuel world championship. In a thrilling final round at the In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragster, Kalitta sealed the deal in a winner-take-all showdown against Leah Pruett. It was a single run that secured him his first ever world title. The lifelong achievement is even sweeter for the 26-year veteran, who had come in second place six times in his career. Throughout the Countdown to the Championship, Kalitta and his Mac Tools team won three times to claim the world title.
Matt Hagan Wins Fourth NHRA Funny Car World Title
Matt Hagan triumphed over tough competition in the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing to claim his fourth Funny Car world title. Hagan joins the ranks of racing legends John Force, Don Prudhomme, and Kenny Bernstein as the only drivers to achieve this impressive feat. With his chief challengers – Bob Tasca III and Robert Hight – also losing in the second-round, Hagan claimed the title. His outstanding performance throughout the year included six wins and eight final rounds and also gave Tony Stewart Racing their first championship.
Erica Enders Wins Sixth NHRA Pro Stock World Championship
Erica Enders secured her sixth Pro Stock championship, solidifying her place in NHRA racing history. She didn’t win the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals but clinched the title with a first-round victory. Enders now shares the record for the second-most world titles in Pro Stock with Warren Johnson. Only the legendary Bob Glidden has earned more with ten Pro Stock championships. Her triumph comes after overcoming early-season challenges to dominate the playoffs. Plus, she became the winningest female in NHRA with 48 national event victories.
Gaige Herrera Wins NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle World Title
In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Gaige Herrera’s dominant rookie season was recognized Monday night after capping off one of the most amazing years in NHRA history. From start-to-finish, Herrera controlled the season on his Mission Foods/Vance & Hines Suzuki, winning the first three Pro Stock Motorcycle races of the year followed by victories in the last five races of 2023. That’s eleven victories and 14 Number One qualifiers for the rookie rider. Both are new single-season records in the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle division.
