Results compiled by Kay Burk
Photos by Todd Dziadosz, Debbie Gastelu, Steve Gruenwald and Ron Lewis

There were some faces in the Winner’s Circle at the 42nd annual Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals Sunday, March 13, at Gainesville Raceway that hadn’t been there in a while.

Del Worsham became the 15th driver in NHRA history to win races in Top Fuel and Funny Car when he defeated seven-time champion Tony Schumacher in the Top Fuel final.

After spending last year out of the driver’s seat, Mike Neff got his second career win in Funny Car while Jason Line took the win in Pro Stock and Eddie Krawiec in Pro Stock Motorcycle.

TOP FUEL

(Debbie Gastelu photo)

Del Worsham was four-thousandths slower (.044 to .040) on the tree in his Al-Anabi dragster and eight-thousands quicker (3.858 to 3.866) on the track for a finish-line winning margin of an almost imperceptible .004 over Tony Schumacher. It was the first win in Top Fuel for Worsham after compiling 25 wins in a Funny Car career that dates to 1990.

“It feels great (to have won in both classes). I actually had a chance at the U.S. Nationals in 1993, could have won in Top Fuel, and I made a huge mistake, red light against Kenny Bernstein, and he went on to win. I felt bad about that and it’s kind of weighed on me for 20 years…” Worsham said half seriously.

“It is almost surreal, I’m driving (2010 Top Fuel champion and teammate) Larry (Dixon)’s car from last year; it won 12 races last year, now it’s won 13. It shouldn’t surprise anyone (that it’s back in the winner’s circle but) it surprises me,” he said.