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Archive – TO THE VICTORS GO THE SPOILS

Pete Ward . July 05, 2026 . Drag Racer
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NHRA Drops the Curtain on the 2014 Season

Some seasons end with a yawn, others, like 2015, go screaming into the night. Champions of the pro categories (except Pro Mod) were yet to be decided going into the Pomona Finals. Racing history hung in the balance, especially regarding Erica Enders-Stevens.

I Arguably Pro Stock provided the most drama of all of the senior brackets. Perennial contender Greg Anderson was sidelined with major issues early on, missing a handful of races. Would he have the strength to mount a charge and make the playoffs? Coughlin and Johnson, last year’s champ and runner-up inexplicably had lost their edge. Would they regain last year’s dominant form? Then there was Enders-Stevens. With the Elite boys out of Oklahoma, she showed plenty of muscle, but financial uncertainty forced her to the bench during the Western Swing. In spite of her obvious strength, would the time away prove to be too costly? Upon her return she never faltered, charging right to the final race of the final day, besting Jason Line to become the first woman Pro Stock World Champion.

Funny Car also contained its share of excitement with soap opera elements. John Force gathered his share of attention. The 16X champ seemed against the ropes, with Ford and Castrol abandoning him, what would the future hold financially? Would cars be parked in 2015? The family dynasty shaken? Force himself stepping out of the cockpit? Then, with the chase boiling hot, only two races remaining, Jimmy Prock, his loyal captain for so many years, left the team. As the season waned, he and newly minted arch rival Matt Hagan battled for supremacy: the strong young Turk against the aging but still scrapping champ. Hagan had tasted both defeat and victory against Force in the past.
The final decision wasn’t called until the third round. Hagan dispatched Tommy Johnson to claim his second championship, vanquishing Force in the process. Adding insult to injury, he also bested the old champ in the last race of the year.
Top Fuel was a tale of two seasons, Doug Kalitta was dominant for most of 2014, steamrolling along until the playoffs, and then the Army boys rolled up their sleeves and began their charge. The Sarge scored three countdown victories. Although officially undecided going into the final conflict, Schumacher claimed his unprecedented eighth championship on Saturday by securing the #9 qualifying spot.
Pro Mod was once again claimed by Rickie Smith. After last year’s championship, he announced retirement, but was nudged into returning for just one more season. Obviously the senior member of the Pro Mod contingent was glad he did.
Pro Stock Bike was claimed for the fourth time by Andrew Hines and his Harley. Though he muscled though the countdown, the crown wasn’t secure on his head until his first round victory over Katie Sullivan.
Comp Eliminator was once again captured by David Rampy. This marks his fourth championship: two in Comp and one each in S/C and S/G.
In TAD, the fourth time was a charm for Chris Demke. At the helm of the Maddern Racing Peen Rite blown alcohol mount, he secured his first and very well-deserved championship after three times running up to the crown.
TAFC Champ and Aussie transplant Steve Harker had modest plans for his season, hoping to at least be completive in this viciously fought category. He certainly was, winning seven of the final eight races he entered, including Pomona.
Super Stock saw a familiar face claiming the championship. Peter Biondo secured his fifth crown for himself and longtime partner Phil Monteith. Biondo has also garnered championships in Stock and S/G.
Stock was captured by new blood. Texan Austin Williams, driving Butch Marlow’s ’72 Duster, clinched the championship. NHRA Division 4 S/C champ last year, Austin’s lone star is definitely on the rise.
Super Comp championship Wallys seem to migrate to Edmond Richardson’s trophy case. This was his third, which sat nicely next to his two Stock World Champ statues.

Super Gas was claimed early on by 2013 S/C champ Luke Bogacki. He racked up an unprecedented 731 points, the highest S/G tally in NHRA history.

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