Leah Pritchett and Papa Johns win the 2017 NHRA Winternationals.

(All Photos by: Dicken Wear)

POMONA, Calif. – Leah Pritchett, a Redlands, Calif. native, earned the second Top Fuel victory of her career at the 57th annual Circle K NHRA Winternationals on Sunday at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, her home track.

“This definitely is taking delivery from the momentum from last year,” Pritchett said. “What just happen is the best thing that has ever happened for me professionally in my career. In my opinion, right now, we have the perfect group of people, partners, sponsors, a car that is reacting. This thing is ‘A+’, Grade A, perfect kid in school type of situation and we’re taking advantage of it right now.”

Pritchett defeated Steve Torrence and eight-time champion Tony Schumacher en route to the finals. Kalitta, who was in his third consecutive final at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, bettered Terry McMillen and three-time and reigning world champion Antron Brown.

Leah Prichett’s sponsor, “Papa Johns” was named the Official Pizza of the NHRA on Wed. 

POMONA, Calif. Sunday 2-12-17: Final finish order (1-16) at the 57th annual Circle K NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.  The race is the first of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.

TOP FUEL:

1.  Leah Pritchett; 2.  Doug Kalitta; 3.  Antron Brown; 4.  Tony Schumacher; 5.  Troy Coughlin Jr.; 6.  Steve Torrence; 7.  Terry McMillen; 8.  Brittany Force; 9.  Shawn Reed; 10.  Scott Palmer; 11.  Clay Millican; 12.  Steve Faria; 13.  Terry Haddock; 14.  Troy Buff; 15.  Steven Chrisman.

FUNNY CAR:

1.  Matt Hagan; 2.  Courtney Force; 3.  John Force; 4.  Ron Capps; 5.  Jack Beckman; 6.  J.R. Todd; 7.  Tommy Johnson Jr.; 8.  Del Worsham; 9.  Alexis DeJoria; 10.  Robert Hight; 11.  Tim Wilkerson; 12.  Bob Bode; 13.  Phil Burkart; 14.  Jeff Diehl; 15.  Cruz Pedregon; 16.  Jim Campbell.

PRO STOCK:

 Jason Line; 2.  Greg Anderson; 3.  Bo Butner; 4.  Erica Enders; 5.  Shane Gray; 6.  Jeg Coughlin; 7.  Tanner Gray; 8.  Vincent Nobile; 9.  Drew Skillman; 10.  Chris McGaha; 11.  Matt Hartford; 12.  Alan Prusiensky; 13.  Kenny Delco; 14.  Deric Kramer; 15.  Allen Johnson; 16.  Val Smeland.

Sunday's final results from the 57th annual Circle K NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. The race is the first of 24 in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series:

Top Fuel -- Leah Pritchett, 3.711 seconds, 324.98 mph  def. Doug Kalitta, 7.630 seconds, 103.85 mph.

Funny Car -- Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 3.875, 330.07  def. Courtney Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.901, 326.95.

Pro Stock -- Jason Line, Chevy Camaro, 6.568, 211.10  def. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.579, 211.56.

Top Alcohol Dragster -- Joey Severance, 5.214, 275.51  def. Garrett Bateman, 5.486, 263.10.

Top Alcohol Funny Car -- Shane Westerfield, Chevy Camaro, 6.652, 127.19  def. Jonnie Lindberg, Camaro, Foul - Red Light.

Competition Eliminator -- Doug Lambeck, Pontiac Sunfire, 8.351, 156.97  def. Clint Neff, Bantam Roadster, 7.655, 156.48.

Super Stock -- Justin Lamb, Chevy Cobalt, 8.638, 153.23  def. Timothy Fletcher, Chevy Camaro, 10.375, 120.43.

Stock Eliminator -- Jerry Emmons, Chevy Camaro, 10.170, 119.87  def. Justin Jerome, Plymouth Duster, 10.985, 119.38.

Super Comp -- Steve Williams, Dragster, 8.903, 185.38  def. Dave Alves, Dragster, 8.891, 184.77.

Super Gas -- Ed Olpin, Chevy Corvette, 9.886, 168.98  def. Robert Naber, Corvette, 9.882, 163.06.

Top Dragster presented by RacingRVs.com -- Mike Coughlin, Dragster, 6.093, 212.73  def. Andy Spiegel, Dragster, 6.662, 199.85.

Top Sportsman presented by RacingRVs.com -- Ed Olpin, Chevy Camaro, 6.978, 198.26  def. Jeff Gillette, Pontiac GTO, 6.939, 193.24.

Top Fuel Harley -- Jay Turner, Dixie, 6.276, 218.23  def. Rickey House, VTS, Foul - Red Light.

(Story and Results courtesy the NHRA).

LUCAS OIL JOINS JOHN FORCE RACING AS OFFICIAL OIL SPONSOR

POMONA, CA (November 15, 2014) ---- John Force Racing today announced a multi-year sponsorship with Lucas Oil Products. The announcement makes Lucas Oil the “Official Oil of John Force Racing” and the Corona, California based company will have signage on all the John Force Racing Funny Cars and the Top Fuel dragster as well as driver uniforms and race transporters beginning in 2015.

“Forrest and Charlotte Lucas with their son Morgan and Lucas Oil Products are a perfect fit for John Force Racing. This partnership between two strong American families and companies is what makes this sport and country so great. Our two families have grown up together in this sport and we will have a strong future together,” said John Force, CEO of John Force Racing. “I had a great partner for almost 30 years with Castrol and they will always be part of our history but Lucas Oil is our future. I am excited about the opportunity to grow my company and keep racing for many years with the backing of Lucas Oil.”

Force winner of sixteen Mello Yello Funny Car championships has almost 1,200 round wins and 141 Funny Car race wins to his credit. The entire John Force Racing team has 237 Funny Car victories, the most by any NHRA racing organization in one class, and is chasing down their 19th team Mello Yello Funny Car championship this weekend at the 50th annual Auto Club NHRA Finals in Pomona.

“John Force is a guy I have admired for many, many years. In my opinion he made Castrol oil in this country. The fact that he became available was shocking to me. I see him partnering with us and it will be a huge economic boost for Lucas Oil around the world. It will be good for John Force Racing because it is more stability and I see this as a win-win situation. It will also be good for NHRA drag racing because it keeps John racing and we don’t have any intentions on leaving so it should be good for everybody. Hopefully all the fans will keep coming back and using Lucas Oil,” said Forrest Lucas, Founder and CEO Lucas Oil Products.

“There are not as many young people coming into NHRA as we would like to see but John has his beautiful daughters involved and they are doing a good job. He has given them good equipment and has good people working with them. Morgan grew up with the girls and they are all good friends. The fact that we are creating the second generation of drag racing leaders and we are not the only ones doing this but we have some of the top rising stars out there,” added Lucas.

Forrest and Charlotte started Lucas Oil Products with the simple philosophy of producing only the best line of lubricants and additives available anywhere. Since its inception, Lucas has steadfastly adhered to this corporate objective. Through innovative product research and development, along with aggressive marketing programs, Lucas has established itself as a top selling additive line in the American truck stop industry.

Lucas is also one of the fastest growing additive lines in the consumer automotive industry. A premium line of oils, greases and problem solving additives has helped to firmly establish Lucas as a prominent figure in this marketplace.

Lucas has long been directly involved in the American racing industry through multiple vehicle sponsorships and racing event promotions, at all levels. The Lucas success story has been built upon hard work, an unparalleled line of premium products and an unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction. This single formula for success will continue to guide Lucas Oil Products as it grows in the years to come.

This is the second major sponsorship announcement for John Force Racing. In Las Vegas JFR announced PEAK anti-freeze and Blue Def as a primary sponsor for John Force for the majority of the races in 2015. Today’s announcement is another major step forward to financially strengthening the winningest Funny Car team in NHRA history. In the coming weeks John Force Racing plans a number of additional announcements leading up to the 55^th annual Circle K NHRA Winternationals.

Press Release from:  Elon Werner - JFR Public Relations.

Re-Posted by AARWBA Members: Dicken Wear & Dana Marino of "The Motorsports Report".

Editors Note: I think this was the best for both companies. The JFR and Lucas Oil main offices are only a few miles apart, and this gives the SoCal Motorsports Powerhouses and even more powerful standing in the Racing World. Also of note: "The Original Competition Engineering Since 1954" and "The Motorsports Report" Race Car and Street Car Fleet of Vehicles, buys and sells Lucas Oil Products over every other brand of additives. (DW).