Uncle Joe Benson at work & play at the 2006 NHRA Winternationals.

February 11 - 12, 2006: The weather was hot and very dry, making the racing surface hot and tricky for the first big drag meet of the year, the NHRA CARQUEST Winternationals at the Auto Club Raceway at Pomona! There were jamming Uncle Joe Meet & Greet sessions Saturday and Sunday mornings, and Unc gave away a Harley Davidson Sunday afternoon (he's a giver!). 2004 NHRA Division 7 Super Gas Champion Randy Balough, driver of the Uncle Joe's Racing Super Gas Corvette, who came so close to winning the event last year once again scored big. Switching to a back-up engine after the brand new primary motor blew up the weekend before, Randy came within 26/1000 of a second of making the final round! Now that's Rock & Roll!

(Photos by Jim Sleeper, Jan Benson & Stacie Dockray.)

Welcome to the NHRA CARQUEST Winternationals!

Once the gates were open Saturday morning,
it was time to meet friends both old and new.

Right where we belong —
in the middle of the whole show!

Sunday morning, before he returned to the competition,
Randy Balough joined Unc for a lengthy autograph session.

Switching to a back-up engine after the brand new primary motor blew up,
Randy came within 26/1000 of a second of making the final round!

Fun in the sun! Giving away a beautiful Harley Davidson
on Sunday afternoon. The Harley crew, being introduced,
introducing the contestants and the bike, and then —
if your key fits, you win!

2011 Winternationals

2010 NHRA Finals

2010 Winternationals

2009 NHRA Finals

2009 Winternationals

2008 NHRA Finals

2008 Winternationals

2007 NHRA Finals

2007 Winternationals

2006 NHRA Finals

2006 Winternationals

2005 NHRA Finals

2005 Winternationals

2004 NHRA Finals

2004 Winternationals

2003 NHRA Finals

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2000 NHRA Winternationals