Winternationals
National Hot Rod Association
VenueIn-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip
LocationPomona, California, U.S.
34°05′42.32″N 117°46′11.15″W / 34.0950889°N 117.7697639°W / 34.0950889; -117.7697639
Corporate sponsorLucas Oil
First race1961
Circuit information
Length14 mi (0.40 km)

The NHRA Winternationals (commonly called the Winternats) are an annual drag racing event held by the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Pomona, California.

History

In 1962, under pressure from Peggy Hart (wife of track owner "Pappy" Hart) and Mickey Thompson, as well as fellow racers Shirley Shahan and Roberta Leighton, Carol Cox was the first woman allowed to race at an NHRA national event.[1] Cox drove a 1961 Pontiac Ventura with a 348 cu in (5,700 cc) V8, which was driven (not trailered) to Pomona.[2] Cox won the title in S/SA, making her the first woman ever to take a win at an NHRA national event; the 9 March 1962 issue of National Dragster recorded her as a "crowd favorite", with a winning pass of 13.06 seconds at 107.65 mph (173.25 km/h), but says nothing about it being a first for a woman, dismissively calling her a "'powder puff' handler".[3] Some racers believe a class win is more difficult to achieve than a handicap (eliminator) win.[4]

At the 1966 event, Shahan was the first woman to claim a national event eliminator crown, by taking Stock Eliminator.[5] The win put her on the cover of National Dragster.[6]

NHRA debuted the new Top Fuel Funny Car (TF/FC) class at the Winternationals in 1969; Funny Car Eliminator (FCE) would be won by Clare Sanders, teammate of "Jungle Jim" Liberman.[7]

In 1970, Top Fuel Eliminator (quickset fuel car of the meet, digger or flopper) went to Larry Dixon,

The AA/FC winner was the 1970 Dodge Charger, Hawaiian, of Larry Reyes (driving for Roland Leong). Barrie Poole became the first Canadian to win an NHRA national event, taking the 1970 Super Stock title.[8]

The Funny Car Eliminator title at the 1971 Winternats would go to Leong's Hawaiian.[9] with Butch Maas at the wheel.[10] Don Garlits' novel rear-engined dragster appeared at the Winternats that year, qualifying with 6.8; his best time of the meet was a 6.70, over Jim Dunn's 7.58, in the semi-final: Garlits would win, when Kenny Safford broke in the final.[11] The last Top Gas Eliminator crown, before NHRA abolished the class, went to Walt Stevens, at the wheel of Ken Theiss' twin-engined Odd Couple TG/D.[12] The year's award for Best Engineered Car went to Jim Busby, with a dragster powered by a pair of injected 255 cu in (4,179 cc) DOHC Ford Indy V8 engines.[13] (Hank Westmoreland failed to qualify the car, and it never ran again.[14]) Canadian Barrie Poole repeated his 1970 Winternats win in Super Stock, in a Sandy Elliot Mustang.[15] Don Enriquez (in Gene Adams' A/FD) won Competition Eliminator, turning in a pass of 7.34 at 199 mph (320 km/h), quicker and faster than Steve Woods' hemi-engined BB/Gas Ford Anglia; the field also included twin-engine straight-six-cylinder-powered D/Ds, and AA/FAs.[16]

The 1971 meet was marred by the death of "Sneaky Pete" Robinson, who wrecked his TF/D in qualifying, with a 6.77 pass.[17]

Altereds were so popular in the 1960s and 1970s, at the 1977 Winternationals, more than 75 drivers contested for the Comp Eliminator title.[18] Among them was Ed Prout, who brought his A/Altered from Connecticut.[19]

NHRA introduced a significant change to the Christmas tree, LEDs instead of incandescent bulbs, at Pomona in 2003.[20]

At Pomona in 2014, Alexis DeJoria became the first woman ever to make a sub-four second pass, with a 3.997-second e.t.

In 2018, Top Fuel Dragster went to Doug Kalitta, Top fuel Funny Car to Matt Hagan, and Pro Stock to Bo Butner.

In 2021, the Winternationals was moved to July because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and restrictions imposed by California. The NHRA will move the Gatornationals to the season opening slot. In an unusual fashion, the Top Fuel final was determined by default when one finalist was pulled out by NHRA officials over driver safety when he had heat exhaustion.

Past class winners

Year (report)Top Fuel
Dragster (TF/D)
Top Fuel
Funny Car (TF/FC)
Top Gas (Dragster {TG/D}, Funny Car {TG/FC}, Eliminator {TGE})Top Alcohol (Dragster {TA/D}, Funny Car {TA/FC}, Eliminator {TAE})AlteredPro StockPro CompPro Stock MotorcycleSuper Stock (SS)Stock
1961 Jack Chrisman
(Top Eliminator)
Mickey Thompson (Middle Eliminator)Johnny Loper (Street Eliminator)[21]
"Dyno Don" Nicholson (Stock Eliminator)[22]
1962 Jim Nelson
(Top Eliminator)[23]
Gary Cagle
(Middle Eliminator)[24]
Dyno Don Nicholson - 62 Chev
1963 Don "Big Daddy" Garlits[25]--none--Bob Muravez[26]Tony Nancy (Comp Eliminator)[27]Al Ekstrand - 63 Dodge 426 Maxwedge
1964 Jack Williams[28]Ronnie Sox (S/X)[29]Danny Ongais[30]Charlie Smith
(Comp Eliminator)[31]
Tommy Grove - 64 Plymouth Maxwedge
1965 Don "The Snake" Prudhomme[32] (TFE)--none--Jimmy Nix[33]Chico Breschini (Comp Eliminator)[34]Bill Jenkins - 65 Plymouth RO1 426 Hemi
1966 Mike Snively[35]Clare Sanders (FCE)Gordon Collett[36]Shirley Shahan - 65 Plymouth RO1 Wiley Cossey - 66 BelAir 427
1967 Connie Kalitta[37] (A/FX)Gordon Collett[38]Chico Breschini (Comp Eliminator)[39]Eddie Vasquez - 66 Chevy NovaDouglas & Forys - 60 Pontiac
1968 Jim Warren[40]Gordon Collett[41]Gene "Snowman" Snow[42]Al Joniec - 68 CJ MustangJohn Barkley - 57 Chev
1969 John Mulligan[43]Clare Sanders[44]Dave Grassi[45]Don Grotheer - 68 Hemi CudaMark Colletti - 67 Plymouth Barracuda 340
1970 Larry Dixon (TFE)Don Hamptons[46]Larry Reyes (AA/FC)Barrie PooleRichard Charbonneau

(Stock Eliminator)

1971 Don "Big Daddy" GarlitsButch Maas (FCE)Walt Stevens (TGE)Ronnie Sox[47]Barrie Poole
1972 Carl Olson[48]Ed "The Ace" McCulloch[49]Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins[50]
1973 Don "Gig Daddy" Garlits[51]Don Schumacher[52]"Dyno Don" Nicholson[53]
1974 Gary Beck[54]Dale Emery[55]Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins[56]Dale Armstrong[57]
1975 Don "Big Daddy" Garlits[58]Don "The Snake" Prudhommee[59]Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins[60]
1976 Frank Bradley[61]Don "The Snake" Prudhomme[62]Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins[63]
1977 Jerry Ruth[64]Don "The Snake" Prudhomme[65]Larry Lombardo[66]
1978 Kelly Brown[67]Don "The Snake" Prudhomme[68]Bob Glidden[69]
1979 Bob Noice[70]Tom Hoover[71]Bob Glidden[72]
1980 Shirley Muldowney[73]Dale Pulde[74]Bob Tietz
(Pro Gas Eliminator)[75]
Lee Shepherd[76]Brian Raymer
(Comp Eliminator)[77]
1981 Jeb Allen[78]Billy Meyer[79]Bob Glidden[80]
1982 Dick LaHaie[81]Al Segrini[82]Frank Iaconio[83]
1983 Shirley Muldowney[84]Frank Hawley[85]Frank Iaconio[86]
1984 Gary Ormsby[87]Al Segrini[88]Lee Shepherd[89]
1985 Joe Amato[90]Al Segrini[91]Bob Glidden[92]
1986 Darrell Gwynn[93]Tim Grose[94]Frank Iaconio[95]
1987 Don "Big Daddy" Garlits[96]Kenny Bernstein[97]Warren Johnson[98]
1988 Dick LaHaieDale PuldeButch Leal
1989 Gary OrmsbyBruce LarsonBob GliddenAbe Loewen[99]
1990 Lori JohnsK.C. SpurlockJerry Eckman
1991 Frank BradleyJohn ForceStan Sipos (TA/FC)[100]Darrell Alderman
1992 Kenny BernsteinJim EplerJerry Eckman
1993 Joe AmatoJohn ForceWarren Johnson
1994 Shelly AndersonK.C. SpurlockWarren Johnson
1995 Eddie HillCruz PedregonDarrell Alderman
1996 Blaine JohnsonAl HofmannJim Yates
1997 Gary ScelziJohn ForceWarren Johnson
1998 Larry DixonRon CappsJim Yates
1999 Mike DunnTony PedregonJeg Coughlin Jr.
2000 Gary ScelziJerry ToliverJeg Coughlin Jr.
2001 Darrell RussellBruce SarverKurt Johnson
2002 Larry DixonJohn ForceGeorge Marnell
2003 Larry DixonTony PedregonWarren Johnson
2004 Tony SchumacherJerry ToliverMitch Myers
(TA/D)[101]
Greg AndersonAbe Loewen[102]
2005 Scott Kalitta[103]Tommy Johnson, Jr.[104]Steve Federlin
(TA/D)[105]
Dave Connolly[106]
2006 Melanie Troxel[107]Robert Hight[108]Duane Shields
(TA/D)[109]
Greg Anderson[110]
2007 J. R. Todd[111]Gary Scelzi[112]Greg Anderson[113]
2008 Tony Schumacher[114]Robert Hight[115]Duane Shields
(TA/D)[116]
Greg Anderson[117]
2009 Doug Kalitta[118]Ron Capps[119]Jim Whiteley
(TA/D)[120]
Jason Line[121]Shane Studley
2010 Larry Dixon[122]John Force[123]Chris Demke
(TA/D)[124]
Mike Edwards[125]
2011 Morgan Lucas[126]Robert Hight[127]Jason Line[128]Rob Harrison[129]
2012 Spencer Massey[130]John Force[131]Greg Anderson[132]Abe Loewen[133]
2013 Shawn Langdon[134]Courtney Force[135]Vincent Nobile[136]
2014 Khalid al-Balooshi[137]John Force[138]Jason Line[139]
2015 Shawn Langdon[140]Matt Hagan[141]Jason Line[142]Len Darnell
(TF/Harley)[143]
2016 Steve Torrence[144]Ron Capps[145]Shawn Cowie
(TA/D)[146]
Greg Anderson[147]Len Darnell
(TF/Harley)[148]
2017 Leah Pruett[149]Matt Hagan[150]Joey Severance
(TA/D)[151]
Shane Westerfield
(TA/FC)[152]
Doug Lambeck
(Comp Eliminator)[153]
Jason Line[154]Jay Turner
(TF/Harley)[155]
2018 Doug KalittaMatt HaganShawn Cowie
(TA/D)[156]
Shane Westerfield
(TA/FC)[157]
Dan Fletcher
(Comp Eliminator)[158]
Bo Butner III[159]Doug Vancil
(TF/Harley)[160]

Notes

  1. Burgess, Phil, National Dragster editor. "Carol Cox: NHRA's first class winner", written 4 May 2018, at NHRA.com (retrieved 16 September 2018)
  2. Burgess, Phil, National Dragster editor. "Carol Cox: NHRA's first class winner", written 4 May 2018, at NHRA.com (retrieved 16 September 2018)
  3. Burgess, Phil, National Dragster editor. "Carol Cox: NHRA's first class winner", written 4 May 2018, at NHRA.com (retrieved 16 September 2018): text and photo.
  4. Burgess, Phil, National Dragster editor. "Carol Cox: NHRA's first class winner", written 4 May 2018, at NHRA.com (retrieved 16 September 2018)
  5. Burgess, Phil, National Dragster editor. "Carol Cox: NHRA's first class winner", written 4 May 2018, at NHRA.com (retrieved 16 September 2018)
  6. Burgess, Phil, National Dragster editor. "Carol Cox: NHRA's first class winner", written 4 May 2018, at NHRA.com (retrieved 16 September 2018)
  7. McClurg, Bob. "50 Years of Funny Cars: Part 2" in Drag Racer, November 2016, pp.42 and p.44 caption.
  8. NHRA.net (retrieved 18 September 2018)
  9. McClurg, p.46 caption.
  10. NHRA.net (retrieved 18 September 2018)
  11. NHRA.net (retrieved 18 September 2018)
  12. NHRA.net (retrieved 18 September 2018)
  13. NHRA.net (retrieved 18 September 2018)
  14. NHRA.net (retrieved 18 September 2018)
  15. NHRA.net (retrieved 18 September 2018)
  16. NHRA.net (retrieved 18 September 2018)
  17. NHRA.net (retrieved 18 September 2018)
  18. Kommel, Dave. "Gallery: The Best of 1970s Drag Racing", written 25 April 2017, at Hot Rod Network (retrieved 22 May 2017)
  19. McClurg, Bob. "Pure Heaven: The Life and Fast Times of Fuel Altered Pioneer Leon Fitzgerald", written 14 March 2017, at Hot Rod Network (retrieved 22 May 2017)
  20. Burgess, Phil, National Dragster editor. "A Christmas (Tree) Story", at NHRA.com (retrieved 22 September 2018)
  21. Ultimateracinghistory (retrieved 24 September 2018)
  22. Jodauga, John. "Greatest Races: 1961 Winternationals", at NHRA.net (retrieved 24 September 2018)
  23. Ultimateracinghistory (retrieved 29 September 2018)
  24. Ultimateracinghistory (retrieved 29 September 2018)
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  34. NHRA.net 1965(retrieved 5 December 2018)
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  36. Burgess, Phil, National Dragster editor. "Danica who? What about Shirley ... and Shirley? And Judi. And Judy?", written 21 April 2008, at NHRA.com (retrieved 20 September 2018)
  37. Ultimateracinghistory (retrieved 20 September 2018)
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