This lap, a stunning 3.77/320+ on Saturday, put Schumacher ahead in points and he was never behind again. (James Drew photo)

Words by Darr Hawthorne and Jeff Burk
Photos by Ron Lewis, Tim Marshall, James Drew, Rich Carlson, Zak Hawthorne and Darr Hawthorne

The Auto Club World Finals at Pomona Raceway held the interest of the large Sunday Los Angeles crowd waiting to see who would be crowned champions in Funny Car, Pro Stock Motorcycle and especially Top Fuel

The highest drama was in Top Fuel where previous champions Tony Schumacher and Larry Dixon entered the event only one point apart and went into the semifinal round with Schumacher just two points ahead.

(Tim Marshall photo) 

In Nitro Funny Car, Robert Hight and his Auto Club-backed Ford Mustang team secured the 2009 Full Throttle Funny Car World Championship at Pomona. The former John Force Racing crewmember turned driver clinched the championship on Saturday night by qualifying in the three slot, and for the 16th time in twenty years the NHRA Funny Car championship will be held by a member of John Force Racing.

“It is unbelievable. It makes it more special when you consider how we got into the Countdown. We were 12th going into Indy. Jimmy Prock (crew chief) just got this thing fixed. It is all about timing. He got it all right at the right time. It could not have happened better,” said Hight.