Sonoma, Calif. July 25-27, 2012 – Drag Racing…two words that conjure up a counter-culture way of life, depicted in countless Hollywood low budget and poorly scripted B-movies. The poor man's sport, which began and was nurtured by "shade tree" mechanics burning the midnight oil in backyards all across America from as early as the inception of the automobile itself. It wasn't called that then but the need to go faster than the guy next door took on a meaning to gear heads much greater than the sum of its parts.

The history of drag racing and the NHRA in particular, have been chronicled countless times. The road to acceptability hasn't always been smooth but over time, legends were created that continue to be a vital part of the fabric that comprises this sport.

Names like Parks, Garlits, Proffitt, Nicholson, Collett, Prudhomme, Bernstein, Ivo, and others… the list goes on, are individuals who made contributions to the lore of the quarter mile that last even to the present.

Like people, places took on a special significance and although some have gone and disappeared due to the encroachment of housing or "civic improvement", some have endured. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the event first called the California Nationals. 1988 was the year when the noise and the thunder and the groundpoundin' arrived in the gentle rolling hills of Northern California. Twenty five years later the track located at Sears Point continues to provide the residents of Carneros with a yearly dose of leaded gasoline and nitromethane fumes. For some it will never be enough. For others, its too much. Inspite of the curfews and threats of closure by the not so appreciative individuals who live in the neighborhood, Sonoma endures as a result of its sea level location, solid TV ratings, the amount of "merch" sold and the number of dollars it has generated in the region. It's a keeper and NHRA knows it.

The rounds moved like clockwork on Friday and Saturday and, as would be expected, some of the favorites did not make appearances in Sunday's final round. Dominance is a word that changes meaning and fame can be as fleeting and unpredictable as weather in the Midwest. Such was not the case for the Shumacher conglomerate. They found the magic, the mojo and the key to winning this weekend. They just couldn't lose. The game wasn't rigged…they just earned their rightful place in the Winner's Circle by sponsoring all four competitors in the two fastest divisions NHRA has to offer…Top Fuel and Funny Car. Gray, Hagan, Massey and Brown led the way in their respective classes and even before Sunday rolled around, it was becoming clear that if you had any designs of earning a Wally you needed to find some way around these four.

Pro Stock was dominated by the MoPar Avenger of Allen Johnson. His ability to drive around Greg Anderson's Camaro was testament to the power that Chrysler has been able to produce thus far this season.

Harley Davidson once again powered Eddie Krawiec to the win in Pro Stock Motorcycle. Consistent wins have resulted in weight (20 pounds) being added to equalize and even things out. In the end it didn't matter because a Harley was once again the first to cross the finish line.

FINAL RESULTS