FORCE STARTS TITLE HUNT ON RIGHT FOOT WITH SEASON-OPENING WIN John Force avenged a tough 2011 season by grabbing the season opener in Pomona in front of his home crowd on Sunday, turning back teammate Mike Neff in the Funny Car final. He was joined in victory lane by Spencer Massey and Greg Anderson following a rain-hampered Winternationals. Read More >>

Mickey Thompson Tires Monday Morning Race Report

NHRA: Same Day Event Coverage on DRAGZINE. John Force started his chase for a 16th Funny Car title off on the right foot on Sunday, edging out teammate Mike Neff for the season-opening Funny Car victory. In John Force fashion, “the champ” gained a huge holeshot on Neff and stole one, 4.08 to a much quicker 4.03. In Top Fuel meanwhile, championship runner-up Spencer Massey laid down some of the quickest passes in history on his way to defeating Antron Brown in the finale, while Greg Anderson made a big statement by turning back Jeg Coughlin Jr. in all mail order giant Pro Stock final. For additional news and notes, visit Competition Plus, or Drag Race Central for the complete detailed weekend results.

NHRA Division 2: While the NHRA Full Throttle series was kicking off the season in Pomona over the weekend, competitors with the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series christened the new year on the opposite end of the country at the Orlando Speedworld Dragway in Florida. Arnie Martel lost out on his bid for a double-up to start the season, falling to Jenny Treadwell in the Competition Eliminator finale and red-lighting away the Super Stock final to John Kakalecik. Stock Eliminator was also decided on a red light, as Merrill Schrimscher fouled out, handing the in to Robbie Shaw, and Ed Richardson downed Tyler Caheely in the Super Comp money round. 8.92 to a breakout 8.88. due to falling temperatures, the Top Dragster and Top Sportsman finals were postponed to next weekend’s divisional in Gainesville. For complete results, visit Drag Race Central.

IHRA Division 2: The IHRA’s Division 2 Heat Wave competitors also got underway in Florida over the weekend at the Immokalee Regional Raceway, where Rich Coury Jr. took Saturday’s Top Dragster honors when John Labbous Jr. red-lighted by a scant .001 seconds and Rich McDonough did likewise in Top Sportsman on Wayne King’s .004 red light. On Sunday, Marion Stephenson took a stellar Super Stock final against Mark Nowicki as the pair were nailed together a the tree before a pair of breakout runs. For complete qualifying and eliminations results, log on to Drag Race Central.

The Weekend Winner Circle

O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals – Pomona , Calif. Matt Hagan turned the Funny Car category into his own stomping grounds in Charlotte, setting a new national record on his way to a dominant Funny Car victory. Hagan was joined in victory lane by the red-hot Antron Brown, Eddie Krawiec, and Kurt Johnson, who broke a more than three-year winless streak in Pro Stock. EVENT WINNERS Top Fuel: Spencer Massey Funny Car: John Force Pro Stock: Greg Anderson Top Alcohol Dragster: Chris Demke Top Alcohol Funny Car: Daniel Oliver Click here to view more results >>

NHRA Division 2 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series – Orlando, Fla. While the NHRA Full Throttle series was kicking off the season in Pomona over the weekend, competitors with the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series christened the new year on the opposite end of the country at the Orlando Speedworld Dragway in Florida. EVENT WINNERS Competition Eliminator: Jenny Treadwell Super Stock: John Kakalecik Stock Eliminator: Robbie Shaw Super Comp: Ed Richardson Super Gas: David Owens Super Street: Mike Griggs 10.00 Index: Billy Blanton 11.00 Index: Brendan George 12.00 Index: Chris Stephenson Click here to view more results >>