Mother Nature Steals the Show at NHRA In-N-Out World Finals

Nick Cavanaugh @Car_Sick_Nick
Nov 17
3 min read

Relentless Rain Forces NHRA to Cancel Season Finale, Leaving Championship Dreams in the Clouds

The 2025 #NHRA Mission Series was set to close with a bang at the iconic In-N-Out World Finals in Pomona—but Mother Nature had other plans. A record-breaking deluge drenched Southern California from Friday through Sunday, leaving the famed dragstrip soaked and silent. With more storms looming for the next three days, NHRA officials made the tough call: the 20th and final race of the season was canceled.

Despite exhaustive efforts by the NHRA Safety Safari and constant consultation with safety experts, the racing surface simply couldn’t be brought up to standard. Safety always comes first, and this time, the skies won.

Hagan’s Title Hopes Washed Away

Four-time Funny Car world champion Matt Hagan rolled into Pomona riding high after his 55th career win in Las Vegas. With three victories this season—Seattle, St. Louis, and Vegas—under the guidance of a new crew chief, Hagan had an outside shot at a fifth title. But with no on-track action, his dreams were dashed. He finished 101 points behind Austin Prock, who clinched the 2025 Funny Car crown. For Hagan, it’s another runner-up finish in a stellar career behind the wheel of his TSR Direct Connection #Dodge//SRT #Hellcat.

“As a competitor, you want to run this thing out, but I think we just wanted our shot to go for the championship,” said Hagan. “We wanted to fight for the championship that we have been working towards all year long. The end result was they (Austin Prock) were three rounds ahead of us. The NHRA came to our team owner, our marketing partners, and the crew and asked what we wanted to do today. The decision was made across the board that this was the proper decision with the weather. It was best for safety with the sand trap full of water and it definitely stings.

“Mother Nature didn’t give us that chance this weekend to go for another title. It just wasn’t meant to be. But overall, for our new crew chief (Knudsen) to have to call all of the shots and at all of the races and his note pad was all new at all of the racetracks. Mike had to make those ‘gut’ decisions and to win three races and finish second in the championship was a great season. I’m super proud of all of my crew guys as they are wrenching on the car and the car was solid all year. The whole crew is coming back for 2026. I know what we just did as a first-year team and I’m very excited for the future.”

Tony Stewart’s Top Fuel Journey

Hagan’s TSR teammate, motorsports icon Tony Stewart, made headlines of his own in 2025. Stewart captured two Top Fuel wins—Las Vegas and Chicago—and claimed the regular-season title in just his second year in the class. The former NASCAR, IndyCar, and USAC champion wrapped up the season fifth in points before handing the TSR Dodge//SRT dragster back to his wife, Leah Pruett, for 2026. But Stewart isn’t done yet—he’ll return to Top Fuel next year with Elite Motorsports, starting at the legendary Gatornationals.

“There is one thing that is undefeated in this world and that’s Mother Nature,” Stewart said. “It’s unfortunate but it is the right decision. I don’t think you are going to hear anyone in the pit area get upset about this call. This is one that is out of our control, and, as racers, we always want to be in control of everything. Hey, at least Dominic (his son) had a great 1st birthday party. Every time that I want to be disappointed in how the Countdown (final six races) went, I have to remind myself of what the goal was this year. It was literally to see the needle move in the right direction with the team. At the end, we were a contender to win races, and we let a couple slip through the cracks. But we won two races and the regular season championship.

“You looked back on the season, and it could have been a little better. But you look at Matt’s (Hagan) side with the Funny Car, and to have a whole new crew chief combination with Mike (Knudsen) and Phil (Shuler). And to see those guys perform well and be in a position to win a championship. It was a long shot, but they were right there. That is literally all you can ask for. I think everyone is excited to have Leah back in the TSR Dodge//SRT Top Fuel car and I’m excited to get the opportunity to race against her next year. We are excited for the 2026 season.”

Looking Ahead

While the season’s finale was a washout, the drama, triumphs, and milestones of 2025 will be remembered. For more on Dodge’s NHRA action and behind-the-scenes stories, visit DodgeGarage.com.