Worsham Takes Points Lead in Pomona Qualifying

Del Worsham

Del Worsham inched ahead of Top Fuel points leader Spencer Massey in Friday’s qualifying session for Sunday’s NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season-ending Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.

With the Countdown to the Championship coming down to the wire in Top Fuel and Funny Car, bonus points were on everyone’s mind and Worsham capitalized, scoring enough bonus points during the first two qualifying sessions to move two points ahead of Massey for the Top Fuel title.

Worsham held the second qualifier position with a pass of 3.830 at 316.67 mph in Friday’s session, but still way short of provisional pole sitter Tony Schumacher, who stood of his time of 3.827/321.19 from Thursday to hold the top spot.

Massey failed to improve on his time, holding third with a run of 3.837/319.14. Morgan Lucas (3.838/317.87) and Larry Dixon (3.843/320.51) rounded out the top five.

“It was a great run," said Worsham. “The Al-Anabi car went out and performed as we expected. We’re making good runs and getting ready for Sunday. The weather forecast seems like it keeps improving and it looks like it is getting better and better each time I see it. It should be good and cool tomorrow and we should get at least one run in and get the field set for Sunday."

Matt Hagan

In Funny Car qualifying, Robert Hight still holds the top spot, checking in with a quick pass of 4.084 at 313.07mph. Mike Neff remains in second with a4.087 at 313.44 while series points leader Matt Hagan opened up some room on second-place Jack Beckman with his best run of 4.088 at 310.41 to move into third.

Tim Wilkerson is fourth with a 4.122/304.46 followed by Ron Capps (4.124/301.94). Beckman sits seventh after running 4.136/310.55.

“Our game plan coming in here was to be aggressive every run and try to gain points," Hight said. “We don’t really have a lot to lose here. We’re having some fun. We’re relaxed. We’ve won a championship before and know we can do it. We’re just trying to go down the track and earn some points."

Among those yet to qualify are 15-time series champion John Force and Countdown driver Cruz Pedregon.

Although the Pro Stock title is already out of reach, Mike Edwards is still making waves, as he continues to lead qualifying with the top five remaining unchanged from Thursday’s session.

Edwards low ET of 6.520 at 211.00 mph was good enough to beat the track ET record and put him atop the standings.

Greg Anderson ran second with a 6.537/211.66, followed by series points leader Jason Line (6.538/211.20). Larry Morgan (6.554/210.97) and Kurt Johnson (6.560/211.06) made up the rest of the top five.

Ron Krisher and Erica Enders were among the drivers still to qualify for the event.

Matt Smith held the no. 1 qualifier spot in Pro Stock Motorcycle with a time of 6.820 at 197.54 mph, while second-place points man Hector Arana, Jr. claimed the second spot with a run of 6.832/194.04 and series points leader Eddie Krawiec holding down third with a quick pass of 6.853/198.12. Hector Arana (6.885/175.48) is fourth, followed by Matt Smith (6.896/193.46).