NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

The upcoming Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals is packed with extra features and special events, not the least of which is the Pep Boys NHRA All-Star Callout for nitro Funny Cars and the completion of the Top Fuel event from Gainesville.

When it comes to odds-making, Tricky Tipster has his work cut out for him because the unique callout format for the $80,000-to-win event adds to the degree of difficulty. Because the top qualifiers have the chance to choose their opponents, there is no guarantee that the two best cars in the field won’t race in one of the first two rounds.

All things considered, Robert Hight comes into the race as a favorite largely because of the monster regular season the Auto Club team has had. Here is a rundown on how each of the contenders stacks up against each other. 

FUNNY CAR

Robert Hight  Auto Club Camaro

For the most part, Hight has dominated during the regular season, and there’s no reason not to think he can’t carry that momentum through the U.S. Nationals and the upcoming Countdown to the Championship playoffs. Hight also doesn’t seem to get rattled when the stakes are high, perhaps giving him a slight edge over the field. ODDS: 3-1

Bob Tasca III  Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang

A couple of months ago, his odds might have been much longer, but four finals in the last five events and impressive wins in Sonoma and Topeka have elevated the Motorcraft/Quick Lane team to favorites status. Tasca was once ranked as low as No. 9 in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Funny Car standings, but his recent hot streak has elevated him to the No. 5 position. ODDS: 5-1

Matt Hagan  Dodge Power Brokers Charger

The recent Western Swing was not kind to the Dodge Power Brokers team, but does anyone really think they won’t be competitive in Indy? While Hight has won the most races this season, Hagan isn’t exactly struggling with three wins in six final rounds. ODDS: 6-1

Ron Capps  NAPA Auto Parts Supra

Throughout his career, Capps has done surprisingly well at specialty events, winning multiple times in the past, having won the Big Bud Shootout back-to-back in 1998-99 and the Skoal Showdown in 2002. Capps was also the runner-up at the 2021 U.S. Nationals. ODDS: 7-1

John Force  Peak/Blu Def Camaro

Force has won just about everywhere NHRA has raced in the last 30 years, so if there is anyone who is not intimidated by racing on NHRA’s biggest stage, it’s the 16-time world champ. This season, Force has been largely competitive with a pair of final rounds and a win at the Charlotte four-wide race. ODDS: 8-1

Alexis DeJoria  Bandero Premium Tequila Supra

This is one of the most interesting entries in the field, and not just because the Bandero Toyota is a quick car that is capable of winning at any time. DeJoria is likely to finish in the bottom half of the field once the qualifying points are tabulated, which means she won’t get to pick her round-one opponent. Then again, this is a car that no one wants to draw early. ODDS: 9-1

Cruz Pedregon  Snap-on Toyota Charger

The Snap-on team would likely agree that the first half of the 2022 season has been a disappointment, but there would be no better way to launch a strong second half than a win at the Callout. While Pedregon has yet to win a race, he’s been steady, especially in qualifying, where he’s qualified in the top half of the field at 12 of the first 13 events on two occasions. Pedregon’s résumé also has four Big Bud Shootout finals. ODDS: 10-1

Tim Wilkerson  Levi, Ray & Shoup Mustang

Wilkerson held on to secure the final spot in the Pep Boys NHRA All-Star Callout field, and now, it’s his mission to claim the $80,000 top prize. It’s also worth noting that Wilkerson has a pair of Indy wins in 2001 and 2003, so he knows where to find the winner’s circle at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. ODDS: 12-1

TOP FUEL

Brittany Force  Monster Energy

Force had the quickest car in Gainesville when this whole deal started, but of course, that was nearly six months ago. The 2017 world champ still has a great car and should have a better-than-average chance to close the deal in Indy. ODDS: 3-1

Steve Torrence  Capco Contractors

Had the Capco team not set the bar incredibly high with four straight world championships, no one would say much about their record this season. The fact is this is still an elite team that should be able to win anytime and anyplace. Coming off a final round in Topeka, it’s not unreasonable to think they could sweep the weekend. ODDS: 7-2

Mike Salinas  Pep Boys/Scrappers Racing

The Scrappers team has cooled a bit since their successful Summer Swing, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t competitive enough to take home the title here. Quite honestly, there isn’t much difference between the four cars remaining in the hunt for the $80,000 top prize. ODDS: 4-1

Justin Ashley  Phillips Connect

Ashley is listed fourth here just because he had the slowest elapsed time in the first round (3.72), while the other three drivers were in the 3.6s. Of course, that was a long time ago, and conditions in Indy will be much, much different. It’s also worth pointing out that he won his first Top Fuel event at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park a couple of years ago. ODDS: 5-1