Mon, 13 Feb 2017, 19:01 PM Olpin Doubles Up to Kick Off 2017

Courtesy of NHRA Field Marketing Photo copyright 2017 Auto Imagery, Inc.

POMONA, Calif. -- The NHRA kicked off the 2017 season with the 57th annual Circle K NHRA Winter Nationals this past weekend at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. Champions were recognized in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car, as well as Comp Eliminator, Stock, Super Comp and the rest of the classes that encompass the nationwide series.

Ed Olpin

Out of all the Lucas Oil winners, Ed Olpin, Pleasant Grove, Utah., had the most successful weekend by taking home a pair of NHRA Wally trophies. In the Super Gas final round, Olpin left the starting line with a near perfect light (.009), taking home the win at 9.886, 168.98 to Robert Naber's, Ontario, Calif., 9.882, 163.06. Oplin then returned to the starting line to beat out Jeff Gillette, Benicia, Calif., and win his second Wally of the weekend, in Top Sportsman Presented by Racing RVs.com in a close 6.978, 298.26 to 6.939, 193.24.

Joey Severance

In Top Alcohol Dragster, defending 2016 NHRA Lucas Oil National Champion, Joey Severance, Woodburn, Ore., opened 2017 with a perfect start facing off with Garrett Bateman, Albany Ore., for Oregon bragging rights in the final round. Severance took the starting line advantage and stayed out in front of Bateman posting the low elapsed time of the event at 5.214 seconds, 275.51 mph to Bateman's runner up pass of 5.486 seconds, 263.10 mph.

Shane Westerfield

2016 Lucas Oil Top Alcohol Funny Car National Champion, Jonnie Lindberg, Brownsburg, Ind., returned to the final round but came up short as he fouled at the starting line. Shane Westerfield, Anaheim, Calif., took the win after advancing to the final with wins over Brian Hough and No. 1 qualifier D.J. Cox.

Doug Lambeck

Doug Lambeck, Irvine, Calif., hit a perfect light and took full advantage of it, running 8.638, 153.23 beating out Clint Neft, Arvada, Colo., who came in at 7.655, 156.48 in the Comp Eliminator final round while Mike Coughlin, Delaware, Ohio, came away with the win in Top Dragster Presented by Racing RVs.com beating out Andy Spiegel, Acton, Calif.

Steve Williams

Justin Lamb

Jerry Emmons

Southern California racer Steve Williams knocked off Dave Alves, Princeton, Calif., in Super Comp running 8.903 on the 8.90 dial and Justin Lamb led from the start to defeat second generation driver Timothy Fletcher in Super Stock. Jerry Emmons made his trip from Pasadena, Texas payoff, winning tin Stock Eliminator over Justin Jerome, Fullerton, Calif.

Jay Turner

Jay Turner, Julian, N.C., ran 6.093, 212.73 defeating Rickey House, Humble, Texas., who runnered up at 6.698, 203.03 to claim victory in the Top Fuel Harley class.

The following are final results from Circle K NHRA Winter Nationals at the Auto Club Raceway at Pomona:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
Joey Severance, 5.214, 275.51 def. Garrett Bateman, 5.486, 263.10.

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
Shane Westerfield, Chevy Camaro, 6.652, 127.19 def. Jonnie Lindberg, Camaro, Foul - Red Light.

COMP ELIMINATOR
Doug Lambeck, Pontiac Sunfire, 8.351, 156.97 def. Clint Neff, Bantam Roadster, 7.655, 156.48.

SUPER STOCK
Justin Lamb, Chevy Cobalt, 8.638, 153.23 def. Timothy Fletcher, Chevy Camaro, 10.375, 120.43.

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Jerry Emmons, Chevy Camaro, 10.170, 119.87 def. Justin Jerome, Plymouth Duster, 10.985, 119.38.

SUPER COMP
Steve Williams, Dragster, 8.903, 185.38 def. Dave Alves, Dragster, 8.891, 184.77.

SUPER GAS
Ed Olpin, Chevy Corvette, 9.886, 168.98 def. Robert Naber, Corvette, 9.882, 163.06.

TOP DRAGSTER
Mike Coughlin, Dragster, 6.093, 212.73 def. Andy Spiegel, Dragster, 6.662, 199.85.

TOP SPORTSMAN
Ed Olpin, Chevy Camaro, 6.978, 198.26 def. Jeff Gillette, Pontiac GTO, 6.939, 193.24.

TOP FUEL HARLEY
Jay Turner, Dixie, 6.276, 218.23 def. Rickey House, VTS, Foul - Red Light.