In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip didn’t take long to come to life Friday, as nitro filled the air and the 66th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals settled into its rhythm.
At the center of the early action was Leah Pruett, who powered to the provisional No. 1 spot in Top Fuel with a 3.724 at 329.75 mph. It was a clean, controlled run that immediately set the tone for the class.
In Funny Car, Jordan Vandergriff moved to the top with a 3.951 at 327.90 mph, putting together a pass that showed both speed and stability as conditions began to tighten.
Pro Stock saw Greg Anderson lead the way at 6.544 and 209.39 mph, continuing his familiar role at the front of the field as the category starts to take shape.
Nitro and Alcohol Add to the Fire
Legacy Nitro Funny Car brought its own brand of horsepower to the track, with Nathan Sitko leading the way at 4.709 and 242.36 mph in his ’68 Firebird.
In the alcohol ranks, Shawn Cowie set the pace in Top Alcohol Dragster at 5.243 and 275.11 mph, while Shane Westerfield led Top Alcohol Funny Car with a 5.507 at 264.60 mph, keeping the intensity high across the ladder.
Sportsman Keeps It Rolling
While the nitro cars drew the attention, the sportsman categories continued to grind through eliminations, filling the lanes and keeping the track active throughout the day.
With deep fields across multiple classes, the steady flow of runs kept the event moving and added to the overall pace of the weekend as racers worked their way through early-round competition.
Friday Sets the Tone
There’s no easing into Pomona. When the track starts coming around, teams take their shot—and Friday proved exactly that.
With three categories already topped by proven performers, the tone for the weekend has been firmly established, with plenty of contenders still within reach.
Looking Ahead
More qualifying remains, and Pomona continues to offer prime conditions for strong runs. As the surface takes rubber and the air comes around, teams will look to make the most of every opportunity to improve.
With the pro fields set to be finalized, the focus now shifts toward locking in positions and setting the ladder for Sunday’s eliminations.
The early numbers are on the board. Now it’s about staying there.
This story was originally published on April 11, 2026. 
