Robert Hight ensured the Funny Car championship will go down to the final day of the season as he stormed to the No. 1 qualifying position at the NHRA In-N-Out Finals in Pomona, CA.

Hight was joined atop the nitro qualifying grid by teammate Austin Prock (Top Fuel), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock), and newly christened Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Gaige Herrera. 

Hight narrowed the gap between him and point leader Matt Hagan to just 12 points by thundering down the 1,000-foot course at In-N-Out Dragstrip in 3.844 seconds at 331.61 miles per hour in his Automobile Club of Southern California/Cornwell Tools Chevrolet Camaro SS. Saturday’s top spot marked the seventh No. 1 of the season for the three-time world champ and the 84th in his career and propelled him past Bob Tasca III into second place in the process. With No. 6 qualifier Tasca only 17 points out of first – promises one of the most thrilling finishes in class history on Sunday.

Hight and Hagan, who is the No. 5 qualifier, could meet in the semifinals, while Tasca, who qualified sixth, is on the other side of the bracket.

“That’s big [going around Tasca],” Hight said. “Let’s say it comes down to Tasca and I, and we lose the same round; you want to go ahead of him in qualifying, so this was big for us today. I was a little nervous yesterday after screwing up the first run and then we had to make a safe run last night. We knew what we had to do, but you have to execute, too. This is a tricky place; no matter what anybody tells you, this place is tricky. Two separately different lanes, and when it’s good, it’s really good, and you have to be aggressive and get after it. I’m really proud of the whole Auto Club team.

“It’s exactly what we needed to do and it might have a little effect going into Sunday. We’ve got a little momentum and we’re running well but we have to race smart tomorrow. Probably not going to sleep tonight, but at least we’re qualified.”

John Force qualified second with a 3.862 at 328.14 and defending event winner Cruz Pedregon took third after a run of 3.865 at 330.15.

Prock, who is not in championship contention, continued his streak of good fortunes in Pomona, taking the No. 1 spot with a run of 3.636 at 332.92 in his Montana Brands/Rocky Mountain Twist dragster. It’s the second top qualifier this season for Prock and the third in his career, as he made a career-best pass to close out the session. 

“I love it anytime I come here,” Prock said. “As a kid growing up, ditching school and flying out here to come watch my dad race and race for championships and Wallys, it was always a treat to me. It’s got a special place in my heart and it just seems like we’ve a little mojo going here. If we go to the final round tomorrow, that’s five consecutive final rounds for me here in Pomona, so I hope I can make that a fact. 

“Our focus every weekend is ‘Go for a Wally,’ and I feel like we finally have a racecar that can do it. We’ve been picking at it slowly throughout the year and the last two or three races, the thing has really come around. The first run today, that was the first time we’ve smoked the tires in like eight runs. We just lowered the boom a little bit there and hopefully we can keep that up tomorrow. It would be huge to win the last race of the year here and get to enjoy it for a few months.” 

Prock’s run bumped point leader Steve Torrence and his 3.641 at 335.65 to second, with Antron Brown taking third with a 3.663 at 335.82. Torrence takes the points lead into Sunday, holding a 12-point advantage over Doug Kalitta, 39 points over Leah Pruett, 76 points over Mike Salinas, and 88 points over Justin Ashley. Torrence and Pruett could potentially meet in the semifinals, while Kalitta, Ashley and Salinas are all on the other side of the bracket.

Anderson has a glimmer of hope to win the 2023 NHRA Pro Stock, albeit a last-ditch opportunity. He picked up the maximum amount of bonus qualifying points by making the quickest run in all four sessions, including a 6.492 at 211.69 in his HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro to close out the day. It’s his third No. 1 spot this season and the 124th in his standout career. 

Anderson trails Enders by 104 points, and she needs only to win in the opening round against Fernando Cuadra to clinch her sixth world championship. A first-round loss by Enders would require Anderson to win the race to clinch a sixth title. He also has a chance to pick up his 15th career win at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip on Sunday.

“Super pumped with the job these guys have done this weekend,” Anderson said. “I love this racetrack; I love racing here. Just the atmosphere, it’s the perfect time to go down that racetrack and it’s a great feeling. The cars just love it and the drivers love it. You saw it today, a lot of great runs in the class and I had two of them. I’m extremely pleased with my racecar this weekend. It’s made four as-close-to-perfect runs you can make and you don’t get that very often. It set the table to do the best job we can do tomorrow. 

“We don’t have any clue how it’ll turn out, but I’ve got a great horse, I’ve got a great racecar and if nothing else, I have a great chance to win. We’ll give it all we’ve got tomorrow and let the cards fall where they may.”

Kyle Koretsky qualified second with a 6.497 at 211.00, and Enders’ 6.500 at 210.31 puts her third heading into raceday.

The inevitable finally transpired as Herrera clinched the 2024 Pro Stock Motorcycle World Championship by earning his 14th No. 1 qualifier thanks to a track-record run of 6.661 seconds at 203.80 mph on his Mission Foods/Vance & Hines Suzuki. A win on Sunday will mark his 11th of the season and also set a single-season record in the class. 

Herrera’s championship in his first season with the Vance & Hines team culminates one of the most incredible seasons in Pro Stock Motorcycle history, as Herrera dominated from start to finish. He won the first three races of the season, added another three-race winning streak during the year and then has won the last four races during the Countdown to the Championship. Add in a multitude of track records, the quickest run in class history and a sweep of the Western Swing, and Herrera enjoyed a simply spectacular season.

“This is very special; it doesn’t feel real to be honest,” Herrera said. “The amount of stuff we’ve accomplished this year and then wrapping it up getting the championship and then making a run like that the last qualifier, it’s been an incredible season. I’m living the dream. Last year, I was just out here trying to have a little fun and to get the opportunity to ride for the legends that I grew up watching race and looked up to. To be able to race with them and accomplish what we have, it’s very surreal. 

“Wrapping up the championship here in my hometown, this is something I’ll never forget, winning the championship in my first full season. There is a lot that has been accomplished this year, but this definitely tops it all. This is something I’ll always cherish and remember. You never can take anything for granted. The bike has been flawless all year. We set a lot of records, and it just goes on and on. It’s crazy.”

Eliminations for the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals begin at 11 a.m. PT on Sunday at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip.