NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

 

 

 

 

Defending world champions top Tricky Tipster's Winternationals rankings

For more than five decades, NHRA National Dragster's Tricky Tipster has put odds on the top eight racers he thinks have the best shot at victory. This week, Tricky Tipster handicaps the Circle K NHRA Winternationals.
09 Feb 2017
NHRA National Dragster staff
News
Antron Brown, Ron Capps, Jason Line
TOP FUEL
Funny Car | Pro Stock
Antron Brown
Antron Brown • Matco Tools
He is the champ for a reason; because he’s arguably the best driver in arguably the best car. He’ll be No. 1 until someone challenges him for the top spot.
ODDS: 3-1
Doug Kalitta
Doug Kalitta • Mac Tools
Let’s get this out of the way now: he is the best driver to have never won a championship, but the only thing preventing him from winning one is luck. He has everything else in place.
ODDS: 4-1
Steve Torrence
Steve Torrence • Capco Contractors/Rio Ammo
When you have Alan Johnson on your side, good things tend to happen. Don’t be surprised to see a big year from this team.
ODDS: 6-1
Leah Pritchett
Leah Pritchett • Papa John’s Pizza
With a full-time ride at DSR, she’s finally got the stability that she thought she had last year. Was the star of preseason testing with a 3.65 best.
ODDS: 7-1
Brittany Force
Brittany Force • Monster Energy
Last year, she learned how to win. Now, she can mount a very serious run at the title. Once again, any car that carries Alan Johnson’s tune-up is going to be a handful on race day.
ODDS: 9-1
Tony Schumacher
Tony Schumacher • U.S. Army
Can the Army team rally for one more championship? Of course they can. Did not have the best test session, but it doesn’t count until Pomona, where the battle for a ninth title begins.
ODDS: 10-1
Clay Millican
Clay Millican • Parts Plus/Great Clips
This is a 3.6-second race car, so it’s almost criminal that he’s ranked seventh. That being said, he’s still awaiting a long overdue first victory.
ODDS: 12-1
Troy Coughlin Jr.
Troy Coughlin Jr. • SealMaster
Look closely because this might be the last time Tipster has him ranked this low. One of the most promising rookies to come along in quite some time.
ODDS: 14-1

FUNNY CAR
Ron Capps
Ron Capps • NAPA Dodge
He’ll have the No. 1 on his car for the first time in his career, and he gets our top spot to start the season. Enjoyed a very solid test session with a great 3.85 performance in Phoenix.
ODDS: 3-1
Courtney Force
Courtney Force • Advance Auto Parts Chevy
Testing numbers often don’t tell the whole story, but by any measure, her 3.80 run in Phoenix was otherworldly. At most events, that’s a very competitive Top Fuel run.
ODDS: 4-1
Robert Hight
Robert Hight • Auto Club Chevy
A bit of a hunch here, but this is another car that ran great in testing. The return of Jimmy Prock should be a difference-maker for the entire JFR team this season.
ODDS: 5-1
Matt Hagan
Matt Hagan • Mopar Express Lane Dodge
The Funny Car field is so stacked that a dozen or more drivers can legitimately win any given race. That being said, this one figures to win more than most.
ODDS: 7-1
Jack Beckman
Jack Beckman • Infinite Hero Dodge
Last year was forgettable for many reasons, but a quick rebound should be in order. The loss of Jimmy Prock will be felt, but there is more than enough talent at DSR to produce a winning effort.
ODDS: 7-1
John Force
John Force • Peak Chevy
When he makes his first run in Pomona, it will be his 40th consecutive year as an NHRA Funny Car driver. There are few like him in any sport in any era, and he can still get it done.
ODDS: 9-1
Tommy Johnson Jr.
Tommy Johnson Jr. • Make-A-Wish Dodge
Might be ranked a bit higher if not for a preseason wheelstand that resulted in a bent chassis. It’s likely nothing more than a temporary setback.
ODDS: 10-1
Tim Wilkerson
Tim Wilkerson • Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford
Remember last year when this guy came out swinging and went to the final in three of the first six races. Yes, he could do that again this season.
ODDS: 13-1

PRO STOCK
Jason Line
Jason Line • Summit Chevy
The competition will no doubt be stronger this year, and by his own admission the KB team didn’t have the best offseason, but the reigning champ will be No. 1 until someone else takes it from him.
ODDS: 7-2
Greg Anderson
Greg Anderson • Summit Chevy
Went a perfect 8-0 in Pomona last year with wins to bookend a great season. That alone makes him one of the favorites this time around.
ODDS: 4-1
Erica Enders
Erica Enders • Elite Chevy
Call this a mulligan or a do-over for a tough 2016 season, but there is a lot of optimism in the Elite camp after their return to a GM program this season. Even when this team struggled, her driving remained rock solid.
ODDS: 5-1
Tanner Gray
Tanner Gray • Gray Motorsports Chevy
Why in the world would we rank a 17-year-old rookie this high? Simple. He’s the real deal and he’s going to win some races this season.
ODDS: 6-1
Jeg Coughlin Jr.
Jeg Coughlin Jr. • JEGS.com/Elite Chevy
One of Pro Stock’s best wheelmen is back in a competitive ride for 2016. Would it be at all surprising if he wins a bunch of races and a sixth Pro Stock championship this season?
ODDS: 7-1
Vincent Nobile
Vincent Nobile • Mountain View Chevy
One member of the Elite team fired the first shot of 2017 saying, “We’re going to do to the KB team what they did to us last year. We’ll win lots of races.” Pro Stock will not be boring this year, folks.
ODDS: 8-1
Chris McGaha
Chris McGaha • Harlow Sammons Chevy
Announced a limited schedule for 2017, but that doesn’t make him any less of a threat at the events he does attend. In fact, more shop time might turn out to be an asset.
ODDS: 10-1
Bo Butner
Bo Butner • Butner Auto Chevy
The success of this team rests squarely on his left foot. Get the clutch out on time and he’s going to win some races. The KB-powered entry does not lack for horsepower or tuning.
ODDS: 13-1