The stage is set at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, where the 66th annual NHRA Winternationals is already delivering a full-throttle mix of championship firepower, strategic adjustments, and early statements from the sport’s biggest names.
When the dust settled from qualifying, it was Leah Pruett in Top Fuel, J.R. Todd in Funny Car, and Greg Anderson in Pro Stock who rose to the top of their respective fields, each locking down the No. 1 qualifying position heading into eliminations.
But this weekend has already proven to be about more than just numbers on the board.
Weather Forces a Shift — Sportsman Racers Deliver
With a challenging Sunday forecast looming, the National Hot Rod Association made the call to push Sportsman competition to completion early—a move that turned Saturday into a pressure-packed showcase for some of the sport’s most consistent competitors.
They delivered when it counted.
Final-round results:
Comp: Ryan Warter def. Josh Lee
Super Stock: Kyle Rizzoli def. Jim Grossi
Stock: Justin Lamb def. Jared Jordan
Super Comp: Justin Morris def. Allison McKoane
Super Gas: Mike Wiblishouser def. Val Torres
Super Street: Kenny Snow def. Jacob Beckwith
Top Dragster: Grant Durie def. Steven Hamilton
Top Sportsman: Jeff Gillette def. William Mizia
Across the board, races were decided by precision and consistency—exactly what Pomona demands when conditions are in flux.
Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge Adds Another Layer
Saturday also featured the always-intense Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, where bonus money and bragging rights were on the line for top qualifiers from the previous event.
Doug Kalitta continued his stronghold in Top Fuel, extending his dominance in the specialty event, while Matt Hagan (Funny Car) and Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock) each claimed victories in their respective categories.
The added stakes only intensified an already competitive weekend, giving teams another opportunity to test their combinations under race-day pressure before eliminations begin.
Heavy Hitters Stack the Pro Fields
While Sportsman racers wrapped up their weekend early, the professional categories were busy shaping what could turn into a classic Pomona showdown.
Pruett’s Top Fuel performance set the tone in a loaded field, Todd showed the kind of Funny Car form that carries into Sunday, and Anderson once again proved why he remains a constant threat in Pro Stock—putting the rest of the class squarely in chase mode.
All Eyes Turn to Sunday
With qualifying complete and the fields set, attention now shifts to eliminations.
Due to the approaching weather, the National Hot Rod Association has moved up the schedule, with eliminations for the 66th annual Winternationals set to begin at 10 a.m. PT Sunday at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip.
It’s a strategic move aimed at staying ahead of the conditions—but it also raises the stakes.
Track conditions will continue to evolve, the margin for error tightens, and once eliminations begin, there’s no time left to chase the setup.
The early numbers are on the board. Now it’s about finishing the job.
This story was originally published on April 12, 2026. 
