NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

 

 

 

 

Most consecutive finals

30 May 2016
Candida Benson, Jr. Dragster Contributor
Fast Five

Pro Stock points leader Jason Line is on an incredible streak, having advanced to all eight Pro Stock final rounds this year, but as good as his run is, Line’s eight straight only ranks eighth on the all-time list. Following is a look at the top-five consecutive final-round streaks.

1. Bob Glidden, 17 (1977-79)

From the 1977 Le Grandnational in Montreal through the 1979 Springnationals in Columbus, Glidden appeared in every Pro Stock final contested. He won 14 of those final rounds, including an incredible nine straight from mid-1978 through the 1979 Columbus event.

2. Lee Shepherd, 16 (1981-82)

A couple of years after Glidden’s 17-race streak ended, fellow Pro Stock legend Shepherd took a run at it, coming up one race short of tying Glidden. Shepherd’s first of 16 straight came in Columbus in 1981, when he lost to Glidden in the final, and his streak continued through the 1982 Brainerd event. Shepherd won 11 of the 16 consecutive finals.

3. Don Prudhomme, 13 (1975-77)

Beginning in Montreal in 1975 and continuing through the 1977 season opener in Pomona, Prudhomme was a part of every Funny Car title round contested at points-earning national events. “The Snake” won 11 of the 13 finals, including nearly sweeping the 1976 season.

4. Tony Schumacher, 11 (2008)

The eight-time Top Fuel world champion enjoyed his best season in 2008, shattering numerous NHRA records, including the mark for most consecutive Top Fuel final rounds. Schumacher’s streak, which included 10 victories in the 11 finals, began in Denver and continued through the fall Las Vegas event. Schumacher also won five other times that season, tying Greg Anderson for most wins in a season.

5 (tie). Dave Schultz (1993-94) and Matt Hines (1997-98), 10

The final spot in the top five is a tie between two of Pro Stock Motorcycle’s most well-known and prolific racers. Schultz was the first to set the standard for two-wheel competitors, advancing to every final from the 1993 Gainesville event through the 1994 Houston race. He won eight of the 10. Hines followed in Schultz’s footsteps a few years later, and his streak began against Schultz, whom Hines defeated in the 1997 Denver title round. Hines made each final from then through the 1998 Richmond race, winning eight of them.