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RANK (LW) |
TEAM |
RECORD |
COMMENT |
 Mike Neff |
1 (3) |
John Force Racing |
20-6 |
Mike Neff is the most dominant driver in the NHRA right now. He’s been to four straight final rounds, five in total, and won two of ‘em. He’s got a commanding points lead, and appears to still have room for improvement – most assuredly bad news for everyone else in Nitro Funny Car. |
 Cruz Pedregon |
2 (2) |
Cruz Pedregon Racing |
12-8 |
Despite continual low-budget woes, of which he is very vocal, Cruz Pedregon and the Snap-On Tools Nitro Funny Car are playing hardball this year. They’ve yet to qualify lower than 5th (No. 1 twice) and simply won’t go down without a fight. He’s played spoiler before, and he’s going to do it all year in 2011. Matter of fact, it’s what he does best. |
 Jack Beckman |
3 (8) |
Don Schumacher Racing |
6-2 |
Talk about makin’ moves! Beckman moves all the way up to the No. 3 spot from eighth with three straight solid outings before a second-round exit in Englishtown. Beckman and the Valvoline team have two wins under their belt in 2011, and undeniably the happiest driver in the sport – both will be helpful as we roll into the heat of summer and the toughest stretches of the season. |
 Robert Hight |
4 (1) |
John Force Racing |
14-5 |
He went out in Rd. 1 in Englishtown, but you just can’t write off Robert Hight and the Boyz in Blue over in the JFR camp. When Prock and Hight have it going, they’re tough, tough customers. |
 Ron Capps |
5 (4) |
Don Schumacher Racing |
7-8 |
RC and new crew chief Tim “The General” Richards appear to be working well together – certainly displaying a little Napa Know How – and it won’t be long before it culminates in a big win for the team. It seems like it’s going to be a matter of simply lettings Capps get into a rhythm behind the wheel. He’s been fighting an uphill battle with almost constant crew chief changes as of late, and a little consistency would be huge for the team. |
 Matt Hagan |
6 (5) |
Don Schumacher Racing |
10-8 |
Hagan and the Diehard crew have been going rounds and collecting points all year, suffering only one first-round exit, but haven’t been able to score a victory thus far. They’re race day consistency has boded well for them in terms of keeping them competitive points-wise, but they’ll need a win to move to the top and put themselves in contention for a world championship. |
 John Force |
7 (6) |
John Force Racing |
5-8 |
John Force, personally, hasn’t had the greatest start to 2011, but his organization, John Force Racing, honestly, is having a hell of a year. He’s got a lot going on, but he’s still right in the thick of things even though he hasn’t been to a final yet. Force won in Bristol last year and took over the points lead. It wouldn’t be at all surprising to see him win again this year, and get himself back in place for a shot at a 16th Nitro Funny Car title. Absolutely no one is counting this guy out. |
 Johnny Gray |
8 (7) |
Don Schumacher Racing |
7-7 |
When Johnny Gray took out Robert Hight in round 1 of the NHRA SuperNationals in Englishtown this past weekend, we got a glimpse of just how bad this guy wants it. He beat the throttle up in his Service Central Nitro Funny Car like it owed him money, and earned a trip to the quarterfinals. He’s been to the finals once this season, and if he keeps up this caliber of driving and is continually given a good race car from Lee Beard – they’re going to wreak havoc on the class’ usual suspects. |
 Melanie Troxel |
9 (NR) |
R2B2 Racing |
1-3 |
Troxel and the R2B2 gang earned their first Funny Car round win of 2011 in Englishtown, and you could sense the change in demeanor almost instantly. Aaron Brooks, John Medlen, Troxel, and that entire team are confident that they can compete at a championship level in Funny Car, and we’re likely going to see them do it before it’s all said and done. With a little confidence, expect them to start making moves towards the top of our Power Rankings as the season wears on. |
 Tim Wilkerson |
10 (NR) |
Tim Wilkerson Racing |
4-8 |
It’s hard not to love Tim Wilkerson, and it’s a shame he hasn’t been listed in the DI.com Funny Car Power Rankings, but he definitely deserves it after his impressive performance in Englishtown. Wilkerson is a never-say-die underdog, and hopefully they’ve got that program headed in the right direction.
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How can you not root for Matt Hagen,fast car good driver,but can he put the bad season behind him and buckle down and get the job done ??. What can you say about team Force,you know they will win. Personally I hope Mike neff wins a bunch this year,proven good driver and tuner. Darkhorse pick is Mr. Capps, I would love to see Ron win a championship, one hell of a driver who has been so close so many times, but the musical tuners I think is going to kill His chances, I hope I am proven wrong.
Force or one of his cars wins, no new news here. funny car is the most boring class in drag racing because of this.