There are few teams in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series that are more eager for the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals and the start of the 2022 season than the Automobile Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS of Robert Hight. Despite a 2021 season that consisted of two wins and two No. 1 qualifying positions, Hight, an intense competitor, was not satisfied with the No. 8 finishing position.
At pre-season testing outside of Phoenix, the Auto Club team made a statement as the first to make a full pass at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park. The championship crew chief tandem of Jimmy Prock and Chris Cunningham wasted no time going to 1,000 feet in 3.911-seconds at 323.11 mph in their first attempt on Thursday morning. The three-day performance from the Auto Club team was nothing but promising heading into the Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.
“We’re definitely ready to get the season started. We didn’t like how we left things at the end of last year and we’re ready to start the fight to make sure that doesn’t happen again,” said Hight. “This Auto Club team has been working hard all off-season, we put in the work at testing and now it’s time to really get going, we’re ready to get this season started.”
Hight has taken the Auto Club Chevy Funny Car to six final rounds in 17 career appearances at the Winternationals with wins in 2006, 2008, 2011 and 2019. He started from the No. 1 position in 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2019 and, in addition to his four wins, was runner-up in 2007 and 2018. Hight is also the track record holder for Funny Car speed at 336.99 mph (Feb. 11, 2018).
“I love coming to Pomona. Start of the season, Winternationals, clean slate, it’s a home race for John Force Racing and we’re at an Auto Club track,” said Hight. “I’m ready to start racing, get in the Auto Club Chevy and start competing. Jimmy Prock and Chris Cunningham, I know they’re ready too, they really poured themselves into this car over the break. Time to put it all together and see what happens. I’m definitely excited.”
Qualifying at the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona begin Friday with a session at 4:30 p.m. before continuing Saturday with sessions at 12:30 and 4:30 p.m. Eliminations are slated to start Sunday at 11 a.m. Television coverage of the season opening event will be aired on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) and begin with two qualifying shows, Friday at 10 p.m. ET and Sunday at 7 a.m. ET, while eliminations will be on Sunday at 10 p.m. ET.
JFR PR
