POMONA, Calif. — A full weekend of rain introduced the NHRA Mission Drag Racing Collection 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 had been dissatisfied with the way in which the season wrapped up.
Due to the rain, Doug Kalitta (Prime Gas), Austin Prock (Humorous Automobile), Dallas Glenn (Professional Inventory) and Richard Gadson (Professional Inventory Bike) 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. Nevertheless, with no on-track motion, Hagan was relegated to a runner-up end within the standings.
“As a competitor, you need to run this factor out, however I believe we simply wished our shot to go for the championship,” mentioned Hagan. “We wished to combat for the championship that we have now been working in the direction of all 12 months lengthy. The tip end result was they (Austin Prock) had been three rounds forward of us. The NHRA got here to our staff proprietor, our advertising and marketing companions, and the crew and requested what we wished to do at the moment. The choice was made throughout the board that this was the correct choice with the climate. It was finest for security with the sand lure filled with water and it positively stings.
“Mom Nature didn’t give us that likelihood this weekend to go for one more title. It simply wasn’t meant to be. However general, for our new crew chief (Knudsen) to must name all the pictures and at all the races and his be aware pad was all new at all the racetracks. Mike needed to make these ‘intestine’ selections and to win three races and end second within the championship was an awesome season. I’m tremendous happy with all of my crew guys as they’re wrenching on the automotive and the automotive was strong all 12 months. The entire crew is coming again for 2026. I do know what we simply did as a first-year staff and I’m very excited for the longer term.”
Hagan’s staff proprietor Tony Stewart defended the decision to cancel the occasion.
“There’s one factor that’s undefeated on this world and that’s Mom Nature,” Stewart mentioned. “It’s unlucky however it’s the proper choice. I don’t suppose you’ll hear anybody within the pit space get upset about this name.”
• Whereas Doug Kalitta clinched his second Prime Gas championship with Saturday’s rainout, the cancellation the next day meant that Kalitta Motorsports completed 1-2 within the Prime Gas standings for the primary time with Shawn Langdon taking the second spot.
It’s the second time a single staff completed one-two in Prime 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 staff,” Langdon mentioned. “It’s superior to see – we’re all very joyful for Doug and his staff. Second isn’t any purpose to hold our heads. We had an awesome season and solely misplaced to our teammate which is an effective downside to have. We’re excited for Staff Kalitta as an entire to complete one-two, and we’ll be excited to return again subsequent 12 months and go after that primary.”
• The rain additionally meant that Brittany Pressure didn’t get to make her ultimate Prime Gas passes as she is stepping away from driving to start out a household.
“I all the time attempt to discover the constructive in every little thing,” mentioned Pressure. This weekend, with the occasion getting canceled, I look again on Las Vegas, my final cross down the drag strip, we turned a win mild on and ended up within the winner’s circle, in order that’s the place my focus is.
“I’m actually happy with every little thing this Monster Power staff has completed this season, every little thing John Pressure Racing has completed. Jack Beckman did a tremendous job within the seat this once more 12 months and Austin Prock bringing house his second consecutive championship was wonderful. All people beneath the John Pressure Racing umbrella gave it their all and none of our achievements would have been attainable with out them.”
