Funny Car Mark Set

Al Hofmann, driving an unsponsored Pontiac Firebird, unloaded the quickest run in NHRA funny car history during second-round qualifying in the 38th Chief Auto Parts Winternationals.

The Umatilla, Fla., driver covered the Pomona Raceway quarter mile in 4.862 seconds at 304.15 mph, bettering the division’s previous quickest run of 4.889 by John Force in the 1996 Western Auto Nationals.

Hofmann can convert the effort into an NHRA national elapsed time record if he makes another pass within the required 1 percent during the course of the same event.