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Major league drag racing officially kicks off this week with the NHRA Winternationals! This marks the 53rdyear for the NHRA kickoff at the Pomona, California fairgrounds and as usual, there will be new teams, new paint, driver changes and of course, the goal of sending a message to your competitors by grabbing the first win of the year. What kind of changes will kick off the 2013 Mello Yellow series (besides the title sponsorship)?
Allen Johnson is ready to defend his 2012 Pro Stock Championship Title as the NHRA’s new season kicks off with the Winternationals February 14! (Photo courtesy nhra.com)
In Top Fuel, Antron Brown will be defending his hard won 2012 Championship. Larry Dixon, a former three time TF Champ, will be stepping back into the nitro fray with the Rapisarda Autosport International team with Lee Beard turning the dragster. Brittany Force will also be in the line up as well as the former DSR teammate Spencer Massey (driving for Schumacher again).
Jack Beckman is looking forward to running the number one on his Funny Car and ready to take on all challenges. One guy that is really gunning for the Championship is Del Worsham whom is excited to get back in a flopper driving for the DHL sponsored Kalita team. Worsham has 2011 Top Fuel title under his belt and would like nothing more than to add a funny car title to his resume. Force racing driver Mike Neff is hanging up his firesuit in 2013 and will be tuning John’s car for the season.
In the Pro Stock field, Allen Johnson, the 2012 Champ, is ready for a tough season ahead. He and teammate Vincent Nobile will have third car to work with for the year. Jeg Coughlin, a four time PS Champ, is now on the team setting them up to do battle with other Champs in Greg Anderson and Jason Line. Other hard chargers are Erica Enders and Mike Edwards, both eager to take down the Mopar car.
Three time Top Fuel Champ Larry Dixon is back in the cockpit of a dragster for the 2013 NHRA Mellow Yellow series. Lee Beard will be directing the tune up for the team. (Photo courtesy nhra.com)
It all takes place February 14 with the finals on Sunday, the 17th. And after the nitro drifts away, NASCAR fires up Speedweek in Daytona to get their season kicked off!
