With a strong Pacific storm system threatening the weekend schedule, NHRA officials moved decisively to complete all Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series eliminations Thursday at the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals. The pivot created a rare, high-stakes, all-in-one-day showdown that produced both national event winners and newly crowned world champions on the historic Pomona quarter mile.
The condensed format carried enormous meaning for Sportsman competitors, and by day’s end five drivers clinched Lucas Oil world championships, while two of those champions also doubled up by winning the Pomona event — an achievement seldom seen at the season finale.
Two Racers Score the Event-and-Championship Double
Under the pressure of a single-day elimination ladder, two Lucas Oil racers delivered flawless performances, winning their classes and officially securing their 2025 world championships. With titles and Wallys decided within hours of each other, both drivers capped their seasons with picture-perfect Pomona finishes.
Five Lucas Oil Champions Crowned Thursday
The revised schedule turned Thursday into one of the most decisive in recent Finals history. Championship battles were settled round by round, with the following racers clinching Lucas Oil Series world titles:
- Jeff Taylor – Comp Eliminator
- Chad Webber – Super Comp
- JJ Brock – Super Gas
- Casey Plazier – Right Trailers Top Dragster
- Darian Boesch – Right Trailers Top Sportsman
Event Winners at the Finals
Along with the championship drama, Sportsman racers also completed national-event eliminations, producing Thursday’s In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals winners:
- COMP: Jason Grima def. Melissa Murphy
- SUPER STOCK: John Calvert def. Ryan McClanahan
- STOCK: Leo Glasbrenner def. Joe Sorenson
- SUPER COMP: Chad Webber def. Doug Johnson
- SUPER GAS: Ed DeStaute def. Jerry Denton
- RIGHT TRAILERS TOP DRAGSTER: Casey Plazier def. Aaron Steinkey
- RIGHT TRAILERS TOP SPORTSMAN: Bryan Warr def. Ed Olpin
Both Webber and Plazier earned the rare double — winning Pomona and securing their world championships on the same day.
Pros Begin Friday as the Finals Weekend Continues
With Sportsman wrapped early due to incoming weather, the focus now shifts to the professional categories.
Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle begin qualifying on Friday, while Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will complete their eliminations.
The weekend will continue with more championship battles and event titles to be settled from Friday through Sunday as the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals close out the NHRA season.
This story was originally published on November 14, 2025. 
