The 59th annual In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals at Pomona Dragstrip is set to deliver a dramatic conclusion to the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, with an unprecedented eight drivers still in mathematical contention for the Top Fuel championship.

Justin Ashley leads the championship charge in his Scag Power Equipment/Toyota dragster, but with points-and-a-half available at the season finale, his 44-point advantage over Antron Brown offers no guarantee of securing his first Top Fuel title.

“Coming into Pomona in this position, it’s exciting and we’re looking forward to it,” said Ashley, who has collected four victories in 2024. “We have a team that has a lot of championship experience and we’re going to lean on that this weekend.”

The championship battle features a stellar lineup of contenders. Shawn Langdon sits just 45 points behind Ashley, while Steve Torrence and Doug Kalitta are both 85 points back. Clay Millican (-93), Las Vegas winner Brittany Force (-118), and Tony Schumacher (-127) round out the title-eligible drivers.

Brown, pursuing his fourth Top Fuel championship and first since 2016, started the Countdown to the Championship strong with victories in the first two playoff races. Despite recent struggles, he remains optimistic about his chances in the Matco Tools/Toyota dragster.

“We have to come in there with our best foot forward,” Brown emphasized. “Everybody knows the stakes are high. You’ve got to put the work in to make it happen and we’re going there to try and win.”

Other Championship Scenarios

While Top Fuel promises the most intense title fight, other classes are nearing resolution. Austin Prock will clinch his first Funny Car championship – and John Force Racing’s 21st – during his first qualifying attempt. In Pro Stock, Aaron Stanfield holds a 32-point lead over Dallas Glenn, with Greg Anderson just 58 points back in a three-way battle.

Defending Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Gaige Herrera looks to secure back-to-back titles, entering Pomona with a commanding 123-point lead over Matt Smith and 10 wins this season.

The event kicks off with qualifying on Friday, November 15, culminating in Sunday’s eliminations broadcast live on FS1 at 4 p.m. ET.