NHRA Winternationals Kicks Off with Thrilling Top Fuel Round 1 Action

Drivers battle rain delays and mechanical challenges in the opening round at Lucas Oil Raceway

Apr. 12, 2026 at 11:08pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the fractured, multi-perspective action of a top fuel dragster race, with sharp planes of vibrant red, yellow, and blue colors capturing the speed and intensity of the event.The NHRA Winternationals' opening round showcases the raw power and precision of top fuel dragster racing, with drivers pushing the limits of their machines.Pomona Today

The NHRA Winternationals at Lucas Oil Raceway in Pomona, California kicked off with an exciting start, despite a morning rain delay. The cool conditions set the stage for some incredible racing action, with standout performances from drivers like Justin Ashley, Will Smith, and the reigning event champion, Clay Millican.

Why it matters

The NHRA Winternationals is one of the premier events on the NHRA calendar, drawing top fuel dragster teams from across the country. The opening round results set the tone for the rest of the weekend and provide insight into which drivers and teams have the speed and consistency to contend for the event title.

The details

Justin Ashley earned a win over Maddi Gordon with an impressive reaction time, while Will Smith demonstrated his quick leaving abilities with a .029 light, though Tony Stewart's experience allowed him to secure the win. Reigning event champion Clay Millican continued his dominance at Pomona, extending his win streak to five rounds. Local favorite Cameron Ferre's run was cut short due to a mechanical issue, and Shawn Langdon's win over Tony Schumacher was a close call, with Schumacher's car suffering a rear-end issue. Doug Kalitta took advantage of a bye run to set a new track record, reaching an incredible 339.79 mph.

  • The NHRA Winternationals took place on April 12, 2026.
  • The morning rain delay pushed back the start of the event.

The players

Justin Ashley

A top fuel dragster driver who earned a win over Maddi Gordon in the opening round with an impressive reaction time.

Maddi Gordon

A top fuel dragster driver who lost to Justin Ashley in the opening round.

Will Smith

A top fuel dragster driver who demonstrated his quick leaving abilities with a .029 light, though he lost to Tony Stewart.

Tony Stewart

A top fuel dragster driver who secured the win over Will Smith despite Smith's quick reaction time.

Clay Millican

The reigning NHRA Winternationals event champion, who continued his dominance at Pomona by extending his win streak to five rounds.

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What’s next

As the second round pairings take shape, the competition heats up. Justin Ashley vs. Leah Pruett is a battle of the quick starters, while Doug Kalitta vs. Clay Millican pits speed against consistency.

The takeaway

The NHRA Winternationals is shaping up to be an incredible showcase of talent and precision, with drivers having to adapt to changing conditions and mechanical challenges to secure victories. The early round results will set the tone for the rest of the weekend and provide insight into which teams have the speed, consistency, and focus to contend for the event title.