POMONA, Calif. — A full weekend of rain introduced the NHRA Mission Drag Racing Sequence marketing campaign to a disappointing conclusion with the cancellation of the In-N-Out NHRA World Finals on the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds.
Drivers, groups and followers have been dissatisfied with the best way the season wrapped up.
Due to the rain, Doug Kalitta (High Gas), Austin Prock (Humorous Automobile), Dallas Glenn (Professional Inventory) and Richard Gadson (Professional Inventory Motorbike) earned championships.
It was the second title for Kalitta and Prock, whereas Glenn and Gadson are first-time champions.
• Matt Hagan entered the weekend with an opportunity to gather his fifth Humorous Automobile championship, trailing Austin Prock by 101 factors. Nonetheless, with no on-track motion, Hagan was relegated to a runner-up end within the standings.
“As a competitor, you wish to run this factor out, however I believe we simply wished our shot to go for the championship,” stated Hagan. “We wished to combat for the championship that we’ve been working in direction of all yr lengthy. The top consequence was they (Austin Prock) have been three rounds forward of us. The NHRA got here to our workforce proprietor, our advertising and marketing companions, and the crew and requested what we wished to do right this moment. The choice was made throughout the board that this was the right resolution with the climate. It was finest for security with the sand entice filled with water and it positively stings.
“Mom Nature didn’t give us that probability this weekend to go for an additional title. It simply wasn’t meant to be. However total, for our new crew chief (Knudsen) to should name the entire photographs and at the entire races and his observe pad was all new at the entire racetracks. Mike needed to make these ‘intestine’ selections and to win three races and end second within the championship was a fantastic season. I’m tremendous happy with all of my crew guys as they’re wrenching on the automobile and the automobile was strong all yr. The entire crew is coming again for 2026. I do know what we simply did as a first-year workforce and I’m very excited for the long run.”
Hagan’s workforce proprietor Tony Stewart defended the decision to cancel the occasion.
“There may be one factor that’s undefeated on this world and that’s Mom Nature,” Stewart stated. “It’s unlucky however it’s the proper resolution. I don’t suppose you will hear anybody within the pit space get upset about this name.”
• Whereas Doug Kalitta clinched his second High Gas championship with Saturday’s rainout, the cancellation the next day meant that Kalitta Motorsports completed 1-2 within the High Gas standings for the primary time with Shawn Langdon taking the second spot.
It’s the second time a single workforce completed one-two in High Gas factors. Schumacher Racing did it in 2012 when Antron Brown received the title and Tony Schumacher completed second.
“We completed in addition to we might as a workforce,” Langdon stated. “It’s superior to see – we’re all very comfortable for Doug and his workforce. Second isn’t any cause to hold our heads. We had a fantastic season and solely misplaced to our teammate which is an efficient downside to have. We’re excited for Crew Kalitta as a complete to complete one-two, and we’ll be excited to return again subsequent yr and go after that primary.”
• The rain additionally meant that Brittany Pressure didn’t get to make her last High Gas passes as she is stepping away from driving to start out a household.
“I at all times attempt to discover the optimistic in all the things,” stated Pressure. This weekend, with the occasion getting canceled, I look again on Las Vegas, my final move down the drag strip, we turned a win gentle on and ended up within the winner’s circle, in order that’s the place my focus is.
“I’m actually happy with all the things this Monster Vitality workforce has achieved this season, all the things John Pressure Racing has achieved. Jack Beckman did a tremendous job within the seat this once more yr and Austin Prock bringing residence his second consecutive championship was wonderful. Everyone below the John Pressure Racing umbrella gave it their all and none of our achievements would have been doable with out them.”
