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Pritchett, Hagan, Line are Tricky Tipster's favorites for Phoenix

NHRA National Dragster's famed Tricky Tipster has made his picks for the NHRA Arizona Nationals, and the Pomona champs -- Leah Pritchett, Matt Hagan, and Jason Line -- top the lists.
23 Feb 2017
NHRA National Dragster staff
News
Leah Pritchett, Matt Hagan, and Jason Line

For more than five decades, NHRA National Dragster's famed Tricky Tipster has tested his prognosticating skills prior to each national event, putting odds on the top eight racers he thinks have the best shot at victory in Tricky Tipster. This week, Tricky Tipster handicaps the NHRA Arizona Nationals.

TOP FUEL
Funny Car | Pro Stock
Leah Pritchett
Leah Pritchett • Papa John’s Pizza
Defending event champ is coming off a dominating Pomona victory. Back-to-back wins are rare in Top Fuel, but it would not be a surprise for this team.
ODDS: 3-1
Doug Kalitta
Doug Kalitta • Mac Tools
His vast résumé includes just a single Phoenix victory (2001), but his performance in Pomona was masterful with a string of 3.6-second runs.
ODDS: 7-2
Antron Brown
Antron Brown • Matco Tools
Three-time Phoenix champ had a rare misstep in Pomona, and that’s not likely to be repeated. He is the three-time and defending champ for a reason.
ODDS: 5-1
Brittany Force
Brittany Force • Monster Energy
Not unfair to think she’s been waiting a full year to avenge last season’s final-round loss to Pritchett. Her testing numbers here were out of this world.
ODDS: 6-1
Tony Schumacher
Tony Schumacher • US Army
Looked like the Sarge of old in Pomona with 3.6-second runs and a solid semifinal finish. Wild Horse Pass has been good to him with four wins.
ODDS: 7-1
Steve Torrence
Steve Torrence • Capco Contractors
Made a pair of 3.75-second runs in Pomona and found out that’s not quick enough to win in 2017. This car can easily run 3.6s and should be quicker this time out.
ODDS: 8-1
Troy Coughlin Jr.
Troy Coughlin Jr. • Seal Master/JEGS Mail Order
Official Top Fuel debut went well with a solid round-win. Admittedly, there is still much to learn but he’ll get there.
ODDS: 12-1
Terry McMillen
Terry McMillen • Amalie Oil
Don’t laugh. That 3.73 run in Pomona was no fluke. The Amalie team has a new car and figures to be much more competitive this season.
ODDS: 14-1

FUNNY CAR
Matt Hagan
Matt Hagan • Sandvik Coromant Dodge
Pretty much ran the table in Pomona with a win, low e.t. (3.822), and top speed (335.57). A repeat performance here would not be out of the question.
ODDS: 3-1
Courtney Force
Courtney Force • Advance Auto Parts Chevy
It was barely a month ago that this team left the Phoenix test session with a 3.80-second time slip, unofficially the quickest run to date. She might make that official this time around.
ODDS: 4-1
Ron Capps
Ron Capps • NAPA Dodge
Reigning champ won this race in 2003, 2009, and 2013 so he’s very comfortable racing in the desert. A win here would be a nice way to forget Pomona foul.
ODDS: 6-1
John Force
John Force • Peak Chevy
This is the “other” car that ran 335 mph in Pomona. Armed with his lifetime contract from Peak, Force certainly isn’t done yet.
ODDS: 7-1
Robert Hight
Robert Hight • Auto Club Chevy
His only Phoenix victory came in 2012, but that could easily change this weekend. He’s also looking to clean up that 83-point deficit following a rare round-one loss in Pomona.
ODDS: 8-1
Tommy Johnson Jr.
Tommy Johnson Jr. • Make-A-Wish Dodge
Did not have the sort of 2017 debut he’d hoped for in Pomona, but it’s entirely likely that a quick turnaround is in order. A top-half qualifying spot would be a huge help.
ODDS: 10-1
Jack Beckman
Jack Beckman • Infinite Hero Dodge
At some point this season, this team will dominate an event or two. New crew just needs a few races to get comfortable.
ODDS: 12-1
Tim Wilkerson
Tim Wilkerson • Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford
Looking for a repeat of 2016 race when he went the distance here. Got off to a promising start in Pomona with a 3.85-second best.
ODDS: 15-1

PRO STOCK
Jason Line
Jason Line • Summit Chevy
For all the talk about how other teams have caught up, the Summit crew still figured out a way to open the season with a 1-2 finish in Pomona.
ODDS: 3-2
Greg Anderson
Greg Anderson • Summit Chevy
Six of his last seven final-round losses have come against teammate Line. He’d love to start balancing that sheet this weekend.
ODDS: 7-2
Vincent Nobile
Vincent Nobile • Mountain View Chevy
A bit of a hunch here, but he did turn in a great qualifying effort in Pomona, and he’s won before in Phoenix. The potential is definitely there.
ODDS: 4-1
Erica Enders
Erica Enders • Elite Motorsports Chevy
The two-time champ’s return to the GM brand was everything her fans had hoped it would be. Her performance was highlighted by three solid reaction times.
ODDS: 5-1
Jeg Coughlin Jr.
Jeg Coughlin Jr. • JEGS.com Chevy
Much like his teammate Enders, the five-time Pro Stock champ will benefit greatly from a change of scenery this season. He’s also a three-time Phoenix winner.
ODDS: 6-1
Bo Butner
Bo Butner • Jim Butner Auto Chevy
Did anyone else notice that his three race-day lights in Pomona were .025, .028, and .028? That’s not perfect, but it is a big step in the right direction.
ODDS: 8-1
Shane Gray
Shane Gray • Gray Manufacturing Chevy
Got to think that a win here, which would not be out of the question, would make this part-time ride turn into something more significant.
ODDS: 12-1
Tanner Gray
Tanner Gray • Gray Manufacturing Chevy
He’s got a world of potential, and he’s going to do some damage this year. Look for better and better results each time out.
ODDS: 14-1