The 2019 Mello Yello Drag racing season kicks off this weekend in Pomona California at the 59th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Winter Nationals presented by ProtectTheHarvest.com. After an exciting finish to the 2018 drag racing season, 2019 looks to be just as riveting.
With new, up and coming drivers along with teams who rapidly improved by adding key personnel to their staffs, the battles in the highly competitive professional classes should have fans on the edge of their seats all season long.
With that in mind lets take a look at three drivers that will look to re-assert their dominance in the face of the new challenges this weekend at Auto Club Raceway.
Hagan has consistently had a strong car that has enabled him to have early season success. This success has made it feasible for the Christiansburg, Virginia native to be a consistent mainstay in the countdown to the championship. Hagan has won this event the past two seasons (2017,2018). At the end of last season, Hagan struggled by losing in the first round four out of the last six races.
FC, Matt Hagan, Mopar Express Lane Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat
It will be intriguing to see if the 2-time NHRA Funny Car World Champion can once again start the season with a consistent race car. Hagan has had the car to beat by qualifying number one in each of his events wins over the past two seasons. With a win this weekend, Hagan could make it a three-peat at the Winternationals.
TF, Clay Millican, Parts Plus/ Great Clips/ UNOH dragster
From sports on the field to the race track, it’s never an easy task trying to recover from the departure of big-time talent especially at the Crew Chief position. Millican amassed 10 number one qualifiers and a win record of 35-22 through 24 races in the 2018 NHRA season with former Crew Chief David Grubnic.
With that said, it will be interesting to see if the Drummonds, Tennessee product can get off to a fast start with new crew chief Mike Kloeber. Millican qualified at No.1 at this event last season and placed the same qualifications two out of the first three races. Millican will look to turn four win lights on this year as he lost in the semifinals here last season.
PS, Erica Enders-Stevens, Elite Motorsports Chevy Camaro
With a new 18-race Pro Stock schedule for the 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season, starting quickly will be imperative. Drivers only have 12 race shots to secure a spot in the playoffs. Enders-Stevens last season at Pomona lost in the semifinal round to Bo Butner but left the event third in the points.
However, after that, the Houston Texas native would post a 1-3 round win record over the next three races. In 2018 Enders-Stevens had 10 second round losses and still finished fourth in the points. With that in mind, Enders-Stevens is a fierce competitor and under pressure is known to come through in the clutch.
It will be fascinating to see how this team responds in the season opener. If they can get a level of consistency with the performance of their race cars early, they could be a tough out all season long.