The Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals has long been defined by a specific brand of Southern California drama, a tradition that stretches back to the event’s debut in 1961. The 2026 edition lived up to that legacy, delivering a weekend of high-stakes racing and emotional milestones that underscored the event’s status as one of the sport’s “majors.”
The weekend was anchored by a dominant showing from Tony Stewart and Matt Hagan, but the story extended beyond the winner’s circle. From the celebration of the NHRA’s 75th anniversary to the technical precision of the starting line, the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals served as a snapshot of the sport’s current evolution and its deep reverence for the past.
While the racing provided the adrenaline, the event was nearly derailed by a volatile weather forecast and on-track mishaps. Yet, the endurance of the crowd and the presence of the sport’s most iconic figures transformed a grueling schedule into a celebration of drag racing culture.
A Double Victory for the Stewart Camp
The biggest narrative of the weekend belonged to Tony Stewart, who secured Elite Motorsports’ first-ever Top Fuel win. The victory was a personal and professional milestone, made more poignant by the presence of Funny Car ace Matt Hagan, who similarly claimed a victory for Tony Stewart Racing.
Speaking in the Media Center, Stewart reflected on the prestige of the venue and the influence of Leah Pruett on his journey in the sport. “I’ve been [in NHRA] for five years now, and following Leah [Pruett] around and being a part of it, but it doesn’t accept long to realize how special Pomona is in drag racing and how much it means to everybody; it’s one of the crown jewels in NHRA,” Stewart said.
Stewart also highlighted the personal connection to the track, noting that Pruett used to sneak out of school as a child just to attend Friday night races. He added, “We’re honored to be a part of NHRA’s 75th Anniversary. These trophies this year are just unbelievable, and everybody within NHRA should be proud of what NHRA has meant for 75 years.”
Matt Hagan echoed this sentiment, describing the experience of piloting a 12,000-horsepower machine against the backdrop of the California mountains as “magical.” Hagan emphasized the exclusivity of the experience, noting that only a handful of people in the world understand the sensation of hitting 330 mph on the starting line.
Fan Endurance Through a Sunday Marathon
The event was nearly a washout. Early forecasts suggested Friday and Saturday would be lost to rain, though the weather improved as the week progressed. However, Sunday became a test of patience for both the crews and the spectators.
Rain delayed the Sunday start until 12:30 p.m. The schedule suffered further setbacks when Tony Schumacher experienced a rear-end failure for the second consecutive day, requiring a cleanup effort that lasted more than an hour. Despite these hurdles, the crowd remained in the grandstands until the final event concluded at 8 p.m., coinciding exactly with the track’s curfew.
The downtime was filled by the presence of racing legends and interactive displays in Nitro Alley, while the availability of In-N-Out Burger provided a local staple for the waiting crowds.
Honoring the Top 75 Drivers
The Winternationals served as a primary hub for NHRA’s 75th-anniversary celebrations. The organization recognized its “Top 75 Drivers” with special crystal awards, bringing together several generations of racing royalty.
Among those honored were multi-time Top Fuel world champion Gary Beck and Kenny Bernstein, who accompanied Susie Arnold Armstrong, widow of the late Dale Armstrong. Danny Thompson accepted an award on behalf of his father, Mickey Thompson, while three-time Top Alcohol Funny Car champion Brad Anderson was also recognized.
The event also saw a bridge between eras, as Shirley Shahan—the first woman to win a national event at the 1966 Winternationals—spent time with Top Fuel rookie Maddi Gordon. Other icons, including Don “the Snake” Prudhomme and Richard Tharp, participated in autograph sessions, while Bob Muravez, the 1963 Top Gas winner, reunited with former colleagues.
The Precision of “Just Ashley”
While Stewart took the trophy, “Just Ashley” provided a masterclass in reaction time. Finishing as the runner-up, Ashley used the weekend to bounce back from tough openers in Gainesville and Phoenix.
In a category where a reaction time below .050 is considered world-class, Ashley recorded three consecutive .025 lights. Even his “slowest” light in the final round—a .036—was enough to beat Stewart off the line. This precision is a hallmark of his career; last year, he beat 47 of 49 opponents to the first movement, and he has remained perfect in his first six leaves of the current season, averaging .028.
The “starting-line magic” appeared to be a team-wide trend for Scag Racing, as Top Fuel teammate Will Smith also clocked a .029 light in the first round.
The Prock Rocket’s Rebuild
The 2026 season has been a period of transition for the Prock family. After departing John Force Racing to align with Tasca Racing, the team has faced a steep learning curve. Tuning mastermind Jimmy Prock has had to build a competitive combination using parts that were not part of the team’s previous ecosystem.
Despite a first-round loss for two-time world champion Austin Prock—following a failure to qualify at the Gainesville opener—the Pomona event signaled a turning point. For the first time this season, the team had access to all the specific components required for maximum speed.
Whereas the qualifying effort was inconsistent, one three-second pass allowed Prock to qualify fifth. While the team is not yet dominating as they did in previous seasons, the trajectory in Pomona suggests the “Prock Rocket” is nearing its full launch capacity.
The NHRA circuit now moves forward with the momentum of the Winternationals. Teams will look to refine the power levels and reaction times established in California as they head toward the next scheduled national event on the official NHRA calendar.
Do you think the Procks will return to the top of the podium this season? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
