Fri, 13 Feb 2009, 04:40 PM 49th annual Kragen O'Reilly NHRA Winternationals Special Awards

Courtesy of NHRA Communications

Special Awards from the 49th annual Kragen O'Reilly NHRA Winternationals.

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, 6.588 seconds, 209.59 mph.

Best Engineered Vehicle - Miersch Racing Top Alcohol Dragster Eliminator entry. Driver: Larry Miersch, Huntington Beach, Calif.

NHRA Best Appearing Car - RG Industries Top Alcohol Dragster entry. Driver: Del Cox, Downey, Calif..

NHRA Best Appearing Crew - LSS Racing Top Alcohol Dragster entry. Driver: Ed Schmeeckle, Gothenburg, Neb.

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 Gas: Thomas Bayer, Fontana, Calif.

Quest for the Full Throttle Moment Award ($3,000 each to Top Fuel and Funny Car, $1,500 to Pro Stock and $750 to Pro Stock Motorcycle):
Top Fuel: Steve Chrisman for earning his first career round win in more than 20 years of racing.
Funny Car: Ron Capps for his dramatic first round win over longtime rival John Force.
Pro Stock: Greg Anderson for his national record elapsed time in the second round of eliminations.