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Millican Denies Stewart First Top Fuel Win at NHRA Winternationals
about 1 year agoUS
The Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals in Pomona delivered a Sunday packed with upsets, milestones, and intense final-round action. Clay Millican claimed the Top Fuel Wally, preventing Tony Stewart from securing his first victory in the class, while Jack Beckman earned a historic 300th Funny Car win for John Force Racing, and Greg Anderson continued his Pro Stock dominance.
Key Insights
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Millican Halts Stewart: Clay Millican captured his eighth career Top Fuel win, overcoming Tony Stewart in the final. Stewart, despite reaching his second final round, continues his quest for a first Top Fuel trophy. Millican's engine blew at the finish, but secured the win.
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Why this matters: Stewart's entry into Top Fuel brings significant attention. His eventual first win is highly anticipated, while Millican reaffirms his competitive presence.
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JFR Hits 300: Jack Beckman secured John Force Racing's milestone 300th team victory in Funny Car, defeating Matt Hagan in the semifinals and Daniel Wilkerson in the final.
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Why this matters: This marks a significant achievement for one of drag racing's most legendary teams, highlighting their sustained success. Beckman also took the points lead.
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Anderson vs. Glenn IV: Greg Anderson defeated Dallas Glenn in the Pro Stock final for the fourth consecutive event (dating back to the 2024 Finals). Anderson set a track record (6.477s) earlier in the day.
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Why this matters: This rivalry is defining the Pro Stock class currently, showcasing the dominance of the KB Titan Racing camp, which swept the semifinal spots.
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Upsets and Streaks Ended: Three-time defending Winternationals champion Justin Ashley saw his streak end in round one. Funny Car low qualifier Austin Prock and multi-time champ Ron Capps also suffered first-round losses. Erica Enders lost in round one for the third straight race.
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Rookie/Underdog Success: Spencer Hyde reached the Funny Car semifinals in his first raceday appearance, while Daniel Wilkerson made it to the final round.
In-Depth Analysis
Eliminations at the fabled Pomona track began under cool conditions following morning rain. Top Fuel saw defending champ Justin Ashley bow out early to Josh Hart. Shawn Langdon continued his hot start to the season, extending his round-win streak before falling to Tony Stewart in the semifinals. Clay Millican navigated through eliminations with skilled driving, including a holeshot win over Jasmine Salinas, setting up the final against Stewart.
Funny Car was rife with upsets from the start. Low qualifier Austin Prock lost to Blake Alexander, and Ron Capps fell to rookie Spencer Hyde. Paul Lee's winning streak ended in round two. Jack Beckman drove consistently with multiple 3.8-second runs to reach the final, securing the points lead and JFR's 300th win. Daniel Wilkerson, who qualified 13th, marched to the final round.
In Pro Stock, Greg Anderson was dominant, setting a track ET record (6.477) in round one and running strong throughout eliminations. The KB Titan Racing team locked out the semifinals, with Anderson ultimately defeating teammate Dallas Glenn for the fourth straight event final. Notable first-round losses included Erica Enders and Aaron Stanfield. Matt Latino scored his first career Pro Stock round win over his father.
FAQs
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Q: What is the NHRA Winternationals?
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A: It's one of the traditional season-opening events for the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, held annually at the In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Pomona, California.
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Q: Who were the main winners at the 2025 Winternationals?
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A: Clay Millican (Top Fuel), Jack Beckman (Funny Car), and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) won the professional categories.
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Q: Why was Jack Beckman's win significant?
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A: It marked the 300th team victory in the Funny Car class for John Force Racing, a major milestone in NHRA history.
Key Takeaways
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Unpredictability Reigns: Even dominant champions and top qualifiers can be vulnerable on raceday, highlighting the intense competition in NHRA drag racing.
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Milestones Matter: JFR's 300th win underscores the history and legacy within the sport.
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Rivalries Drive Interest: The recurring Anderson vs. Glenn matchup in Pro Stock and the anticipation around Tony Stewart's first Top Fuel win keep fans engaged.
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Points Battles Heat Up: Early season upsets and wins are already shaping the championship chases, with Beckman taking the Funny Car lead and Langdon solidifying his Top Fuel lead despite a semifinal exit.
Discussion
Tony Stewart came close again! Do you think he'll get his first Top Fuel win this season? Let us know your thoughts!
*Share this article with others who need to stay ahead of this trend!*
Sources & References
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