Downpour, Devastation, and Unfiltered Takes: The Finals, Uncensored
The In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals in Pomona. Man, what a weekend. It was one for the books, filled with wild emotion and dramatic twists that only drag racing can deliver. From those who were there, it was a rollercoaster of highs, lows, and moments that will be etched in NHRA history forever. Let’s take a look at the Finals that weekend and talk about the rain, the heartbreak, and the buzz that made it so memorable.
The Drama of the Finals Weekend
Every championship weekend has its own flavor, but this one felt different from the start. The air in Pomona was electric. You had championships on the line, legacies being defined, and racers leaving it all on the track. It’s the kind of pressure cooker that forges legends. From the first qualifying pass to the final rounds, every run felt like it could be the one that changed everything.
Then came the rain. And more rain. There’s nothing that can suck the energy out of a drag strip faster or more disappointing than a dark cloud and a few drops of water. The NHRA Safety Safari, those unsung heroes, worked tirelessly and relentlessly, but sometimes Mother Nature just refuses to play fair. And that’s when the absolute chaos began.
A Tough Call: Why the Finals Were Canceled
Let’s get candid about the decision to call the race. I’ve seen the chatter online, the armchair crew chiefs, and the “what-ifs.” But being there gives you a much clearer picture. It’s not just about a wet track; it’s about logistics, safety, and a whole lot of moving parts that most people never see. It’s a really tough call, and a lot of people have different opinions. At the end of the day, no one really wants to be the one making the call, especially Finals weekend!
First off, trying to move or reschedule an event of this magnitude, like the Finals, which determine the champions, isn’t like pushing back a Little League game. You have teams with flights to catch, haulers that need to start thousand-mile journeys back to their shops, and a venue that has its own schedule to keep. Then there’s the TV broadcast, sponsors, and, most importantly, the fans who have jobs and lives to get back to.
The bottom line is that every possible option was weighed, but the combination of the relentless rain, dropping temperatures, and a ticking clock made it an impossible situation. It was a crummy ending, no doubt about it, but it was a decision made with the full scope of the situation in mind, going far deeper than what you might have read online. It was a tough, heartbreaking call, but ultimately, the only one that could be made.
Celebrating the Champions and What’s Next
Despite the soggy conclusion, we still crowned our champions. These teams battled all season long, and nothing can take away from their incredible achievements. The awards night was a chance to put the rain clouds behind us and celebrate the grit and determination that earned them their titles. Seeing the pure joy and relief on their faces is what this sport is all about.
Now, the off-season rumor mill is already churning. There’s some big news about crew chiefs on the move and plenty of speculation about which drivers will land where. This is the time of year when the chess pieces get rearranged, and you can bet the 2026 season is already shaping up to be another wild ride.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 Finals will forever live in NHRA lore for all the right and wrong reasons. It was a weekend of incredible performance, gut-wrenching heartbreak, and a reminder that in drag racing, you have to be ready for anything. It was awesome, crummy, and unforgettable. That’s the sport we love.
