Mon, 17 Nov 2008, 12:06 PM 44th annual Auto Club NHRA Nationals Special Awards

Courtesy of NHRA Communications

POMONA, Calif. -- Special awards from the 44th annual Auto Club NHRA Nationals

K&N Filters Horsepower Challenge award ($3,000 to the No. 1 qualifier in Pro Stock) - Greg Anderson, Charlotte, N.C., Summit Racing Pontiac GXP, 6.634 seconds, 208.20 mph.

Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle award ($1,000 to the No. 1 qualifier in Pro Stock Motorcycle) - Matt Smith, King, N.C., Nitro Fish Wear Buell, 6.962 seconds, 188.86 mph.

Strange Engineering "Perfectly Strange" performance award ($250 bonus to the first racer in Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, and Super Street who wins an elimination round by running dead-on their dial-in or index) - Super Sock: Frank Grossi, Upland, Calif. Stock Eliminator: Leo Glabrenner, Chino, Calif.

Hedman Hedders Best Engineered Vehicle ($1,000 to the best engineered vehicle) - Byron Racing Comp Eliminator entry. Driver: Pat Byron, Hoquiam, Wash.

NHRA Best Appearing Car - LH Motorsports Comp Eliminator entry. Driver: Scott Hedlund, Anaheim Hills, Calif..

Full Throttle Pit Crew Championship ($3,000 each to Top Fuel and Funny Car's top crew, $1,500 to Pro Stock's top crew, and $750 to Pro Stock Motorcycle's top crew) Driver/crew chief: Top Fuel: Hillary Will/Jim Oberhofer, Palm Beach International Raceway dragster Funny Car: Ashley Force/Dean Antonelli, Castrol GX Ford Mustang crew Pro Stock: Kurt Johnson/Kurt Johnson, ACDelco Chevy Cobalt crew Pro Stock Motorcycle: Eddie Krawiec/Matt Hines, Screamin' Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson