Auto Club Finals - Day 1

10:30 a.m. - I just arrived at the track, and it's a beautiful day in SoCal. It might not be the best weather conditions from a performance standpoint, but the fans can't complain.
I posted my view from the Shav Glick Media Center, which is located on the lower level of the tower.

Well, we have an interesting day planned. We will be shooting a video of a day in the pits, which will feature the Tony Pedregon Racing team and as well as some video from the pits. We will also have some interviews from the top qualifiers in the pro categories.

11:15 - We hang out in the John Force pit area where John Medlen, the crew chief for the Ford Mustang Funny Car driven by rookie Mike Neff, accepts the Mike Aiello Award.
That's competitor Jack Beckman presenting the award to Medlen. The award honors a personality in drag racing who has succeeded through trying times. Medlen, who has been at John Force Racing since the early 1990s, showed tremendous courage this season, deciding to continue in the sport, and implementing several new safety features after losing his son, Eric Medlen, who died in a testing crash in March.

12:10 p.m. - We head over to the Tony Pedregon Racing pit. Pedregon, who won the 2003 Powerade Series Funny Car title while driving for John Force, is expected to clinch the 2007 title this weekend.

Here's a shot as the Q Racing team preps the car for today's qualifying session. Pedregon, who can all but wrap up the title by making the 16-car field, is seventh after Thursday's session with a 4.864-second run at 311.56 mph.

2:10 - Angelle Sampey visits the media center to talk about her run down the Pomona quartermile. The three-time champion is top qualifier after the first session. Sampey scored a 6.973 run at 188.94 mph on Thursday.
"Actually, I didn't think I went that fast, only because it went so smooth," Sampey said. "It went real straight. We've been having some trouble with my bike all year long. The last couple of races we've been getting a good handle on it.
"For me personally, I hope we can hang on to (the top spot), because we're in the middle of trying to find me a job, a sponsor for next year, so anything positive we can get out of this weekend will help us, and No. 1 qualifier is a good start."

2:50 - Jeg Coughlin Jr., who is in the running for the Pro Stock title, steps up to the plate and gains the provisional pole with a 6.689 at 206.95. It's been a big 24 hours for Coughlin, who said in the media center that his foursome finished second at the Eric Medlen Memorial Tournament at nearby Mountain Meadows Golf Course.
"Our foursome shot a 58," Coughlin said of the best-ball tourney. "The weather was beautiful out there. It was nice to play golf and benefit our (favorite charity)."
As for the run, Coughlin was pleased with his top-qualifying run. He also said he hasn't given up his title quest, although he must advance two rounds further than points leader Greg Anderson to win the championship.
"There's still a lot of racing left," Coughlin said. "Pomona's a unique situation where we run once Thursday, once Friday and twice on Saturday. It's great for us to us right now, but we're going study it close and put our best effort forward."

3:35 - San Dimas' Jeff Arend visits the media center after scoring the provisional pole with a 4.781 run at 324.90. This is Arend's final race in the blue CSK car. The team announced earlier this season that it will field just one entry next season.
"We want to do the best we can here this weekend," Arend said. "I live in San Dimas now, so this is my home track. Everybody is real sad that the blue team is leaving, so there's nothing better than to leave on a high note. We're going to try our best to do that."
Arend was also asked what his day job is.
"This," he said. "I guess that means I'd better start looking for another one soon."

4:25 - JR. Todd, who won here in February, visits the media center after qualifying No. 1 in Top Fuel with a 4.52. But the big news was that Todd, whose team will be defunct after this event, said he will definitely be competing in the Powerade Series next season.
"I know this isn't it," said Todd, referring to that this could be possibly his final drag race. "I can't really say what I'm doing (next season), but there's an announcement coming soon. I'm not worried about a job for next year. I'm just looking to end the year on a high note going into (2008)."
Todd also announced his plans after this weekend's event.
"Right now, we're going to finish up here and then run the Baja 1,000," Todd said.
In Top Fuel?
"Yeah, it's going to be a rough ride in that Top Fuel dragster," Todd joked.
Hang on, JR.

5:16 - Dinner time!

5:23 - End of a long day, but we get to do it all again tomorrow!