2022 Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals Preview

2022 Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals Sportsman Preview from Pomona, California

Cover photo courtesy of NHRA.tv

POMONA – After a short winter break, the 2022 NHRA national event is back in full force this weekend at the Pomona Fairgrounds. The 2022 Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals races into action Thursday morning with sportsman qualifying. Racers from across the country look to kick off their 2022 seasons in a big way as the chase for the national championships starts now!

The Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals will showcase over 280 Lucas Oil sportsman racers competing in seven different classes. The schedule includes Competition Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas, Top Sportsman, and Top Dragster.

Before we look ahead to the 2022 Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals, let’s look back at the 2021 event champions.

2021 NHRA Winternationals Champions

Competition Eliminator – Tibor Kadar

Super Stock – Jimmy DeFrank

Stock Eliminator – Kyle Rizzoli

Super Comp – Nick Cobb

Super Gas – Mike Wilblishouser

Top Sportsman – Richard Okerman

Top Dragster – Paul Nero

2022 Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals Predictions

With each NHRA national event DragChamp’s sportsman preview includes an overview of each class. In addition, we select the DragChamp Picks to win the race. Here are this week’s picks.

Competition Eliminator – 9 Car Field

The small Comp field includes a large number of hitters like Joe Mozeris, Cody Lane, 2019 event winner Doug Lambeck, and more.

DragChamp picks to win:

Doug Lambeck – This guy is almost unstoppable at Pomona, look for him to take advantage of the short field.

Super Stock – 55 Car Field

Jimmy DeFrank stopped Kyle Rizzoli from doubling up at the Winternationals last summer. Look for more of the same with these two as they have both have enjoyed great success at the Pomona fairgrounds.

DragChamp picks to win:

Jimmy DeFrank – Would not be least bit surprised to see him go back-to-back at the Winternationals.

Justin Lamb – After a somewhat quiet season in 2021, look for the 5x world champ to come out fighting in ’22.

Stock Eliminator – 63 Car Field

Jeff Taylor returns to Pomona eyeing his 50th national event Wally after collecting #49 at the season ending Auto Club Finals in November. Taylor, an icon in sportsman drag racing, has a great track record at Pomona and should be in the mix come Sunday.

DragChamp picks to win:

Jody Lang – Former class champ has a knack for starting the season off with a bang!

Ryan Mangus – After a big victory in Vegas last fall, I’m expecting a huge season from this talented young racer.

Super Comp – 53 Car Field

The Super Comp is a little short on entries this week but it’s not lacking any talent, lol. The best racers on the West Coast will mix it up with a handful of out of division racers including Dan Foley, Jessica Bogacki, Todd McCann, and Kevin Wright.

DragChamp picks to win:

Jerron Settles – The Fly’n Airbrush has been so close in the last couple of seasons, fully expecting him to break through this weekend.

Kevin Wright – Super tough D5 racer is overdue for a big weekend.

Super Gas – 60 Car Field

The Super Gas field is one of the largest classes on the property and could very well be the most talented on the property as well. Hitters such as Luke Bogacki, Val Torres, Steve Williams, Evan Kowalski, and Mike Boehner are just a few of the standout drivers in the field.

DragChamp picks to win:

Luke Bogacki – After a dream season in ’21, how could I even think about betting against him?

Evan Kowalski – Coming off a great season where he finished ninth nationally, should provide some momentum going into Pomona.

Top Sportsman – 20 Car Field

Jeff Gillette collected his first win in nine years at the Auto Club finals. As talented as he is, I wouldn’t think he’ll have to wait that long to hoist another Wally.

DragChamp pick to win:

Ed Olpin – Quietly finished in the top 4 nationally last season, look for him to make some noise this weekend.

Top Dragster – 24 Car Field

Super Comp hitter Parker Theobald collected Wally #2 at the season ending Finals after driving his sister’s Top Dragster to the victory! While he’s not entered this weekend, it was a popular victory for the well respected Theobald family.

DragChamp pick to win:

Hannah Cook – Talented young racer lays down hella good laps. A win waiting to happen on the national event trail.

DragChamp is your source for NHRA Lucas Oil sportsman drag racing news and drag race results. Click here for more NHRA sportsman news and race results.