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NHRA's 50th Anniversary Kicks Off at Autozone Winternationals

30 January 2001

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
POMONA, Calif. - NHRA Winston championship hopes and dreams come alive once again at the historic Pomona Raceway as the NHRA kicks off its 50th anniversary with another earth-shaking season of the fastest form of motorsports on the planet.

Every team enters the 2001 season with aspirations to rise above the rest of the competition in hopes of capturing championship glory. Their 10-month quest will begin at the 41st annual AutoZone Winternationals at Pomona Raceway, Feb. 1-4.

Gary Scelzi, Jerry Toliver, Jeg Coughlin and Bob Panella are the defending event winners in their respective pro categories for the $1.9 million race, the first of 24 events in the $50 million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series.

Scelzi, from Fresno, Calif., began his record-setting 2000 season with a victory here over rival Tony Schumacher in the Top Fuel final. It was the first step towards Scelzi's third Winston championship in four years. Scelzi and Schumacher will be heavy favorites for the series title all season. They will face stiff competition from five-time Winston champ Kenny Bernstein, emerging championship contender Larry Dixon, and the Mike Dunn-Darrell Gwynn team with their new Yankee dragster, among others.

Toliver, from Huntington Beach, Calif., established himself as a serious contender for the series crown early last season at this event by driving past Tony Pedregon for the Funny Car win. Pedregon's teammate and team owner, John Force, will begin the pursuit of his record-breaking 11th Winston championship and try to move closer to the 100-win mark for his career.

Columbus, Ohio's, Coughlin began his remarkable 2000 Pro Stock season with a win over five-time Winston champ Warren Johnson. Coughlin took the points lead at the season-opener and never relinquished the lead to earn his first championship. Coughlin will be facing many worthy challengers in the ultra-competitive 'door-slammer' category. Johnson and his son Kurt, Coughlin's brother Troy, Ron Krisher, Jim Yates and Mark Pawuk will all be looking to get a jump on the field with a strong performance at Pomona.

Panella, from Stockton, Calif., was the eventual Winston champion for the second straight season and it all began with a Pro Stock Truck victory over upstart Greg Stanfield. Randy Daniels, John Coughlin and Stanfield are other contenders looking to deny Panella of another championship.

Text Provided By A. Vizcarra

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