Veteran fuel Funny Car racer Cruz Pedregon ended a frustrating career losing streak which dated back four years when he won during the NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMax Dragway.

That race, which is the second and final 4-wide event of the season was also the sixth of 24 in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series:

(Cruz Pedregon got a money off his back when he won in Funny Car eliminator at zMax Dragway – his first win in almost 4 years in NHRA)

Pedregon ran a 4.059 at 310.84 in his Snap-On Tools Toyota Camry for his 36th career victory and first since Englishtown 2014. After qualifying sixth for the event, he was able to knock off 16-time Funny Car world champion John Force, Tommy Johnson Jr. and No. 1 qualifier Courtney Force in the final round to earn the victory.

“I knew we had our work cut out for us when I pulled up to the starting line in the finals, and I actually didn’t believe my ears when my team manager told me that I won,” Pedregon said. “It was surreal, and I cannot believe that I won this race.”

This was Pedregon’s 36th career Funny Car win, moving him past the legendary Don Prudhomme into sole possession of fifth place for all-time in Funny Car victories.

The championship round “quad” was:

1st Cruz Pedregon 4.059 secs 310.84 mph
2nd John Force, 4.098 secs 307.93 mph
3rd Tommy Johnson Jr. 4.143 secs 275.39 mph
4th Courtney Force 6.215 secs 114.46 mph

Courtney Force was the event performance star running her Advance Auto Parts Chevy Camaro to both Low ET and Top Speed at 3.873 secs and 332.92 mph.

(Courtney Force set low ET and top speed while qualifying #1)

(For the 2nd and final time this season – NHRA Funny Cars raced 4-wide)

17 Funny Cars were entered at the event with the bump spot being produced at 4.135 secs.

Posted with files and photos by NHRA and Bruce Biegler