52nd Annual Winternationals

(POMONA, Calif) - Spencer Massey (Top Fuel), John Force (Funny Car) and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) made claim to the #1 positions in their respective classes after the NHRA's first event of 2012, the 52nd annual O'Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals presented by Super Start Batteries in Pomona, California.

Spencer Massey qualified #2 and made it to the Top Fuel final round by beating Steve Faria, Clay Millican and Tony Schumacher where he faced his teammate and the #4 qualifier, Antron Brown.  Brown's path to the finals included wins against Cory McClenathan, Brandon Bernstein and Morgan Lucas.  In the final round, Brown took the early lead with a .036 RT to Massey's .049 RT but he couldn't hold it and ran a 3.794 ET @ 320.43 MPH to the winning 3.750 ET @ 325.77 MPH run of Massey.

Spencer Massey (near lane) defeated teammate Antron Brown the TF Final Round. (Photo NHRA.com)

In Funny Car, it was the 62-year-old John Force who outlasted the entire field to claim his 1,100th round win and 134th event win.  After qualifying in the #6 position Force eliminated Alexis Dejoria, Tim Wilkerson and Del Worsham where he faced teammate Mike Neff who qualified #4.  Neff made it to the finals after beating Tony Pedregon, Courtney Force and Ron Capps.  Force won on a holeshot (.067 RT to .175 RT) over Neff, 4.080 ET @ 315.64 MPH to the quicker but losing 4.036 ET @ 316.82 MPH.

John Force (far lane) defeated teammate Mike Neff in the FC Final Round. (Photo NHRA.com)

The Pro Stock class had a Summit vs. JEGS final round as #5 qualifier, Greg Anderson faced off against #14 qualifier, Jeg Coughlin.  Anderson eliminated Larry Morgan, Allen Johnson and teammate Jason Line en route to the finals while Coughlin beat Ronnie Humphrey, Vincent Nobile and Mike Edwards.  In the final round, Coughlin got the holeshot and ran a 6.586 ET @ 209.62 MPH but couldn't hold off Anderson's quicker and faster 6.549 ET @ 210.87.

Greg Anderson (far lane) defeated Jeg Coughlin in the PS Final Round. (Photo NHRA.com)

The NHRA travels to Arizona next for the 28th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals (February 17-19).