Sportsman qualifying begins at 54th NHRA Finals Thursday in Pomona

Top Alcohol driver Hannes Wernhart has his qualifying run disqualified as he hits the timing blocks Thursday, November 8, 2018 at the 54th annual NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. Pro qualifying begins Friday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Funny Car points leader J.R. Todd hangs out at his pit Thursday, November 8, 2018 at the 54th annual NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. Pro qualifying begins Friday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Funny Car points leader J.R. Todd (left) speaks during a press conference along side Robert Hight, who is second in points, Thursday, November 8, 2018 at the 54th annual NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. Pro qualifying begins Friday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Sportsman qualifying began in Pomona on Thursday, November 8, 2018 at the 54th annual NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. Pro qualifying begins Friday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Sportsman qualifying began in Pomona on Thursday, November 8, 2018 at the 54th annual NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. Pro qualifying begins Friday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Sportsman qualifying began in Pomona on Thursday, November 8, 2018 at the 54th annual NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. Pro qualifying begins Friday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Sportsman qualifying began in Pomona on Thursday, November 8, 2018 at the 54th annual NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. Pro qualifying begins Friday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Sportsman qualifying began in Pomona on Thursday, November 8, 2018 at the 54th annual NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. Pro qualifying begins Friday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

A sportsman driver loses his engine during qualifying Thursday, November 8, 2018 at the 54th annual NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. Pro qualifying begins Friday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Sportsman qualifying began in Pomona on Thursday, November 8, 2018 at the 54th annual NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. Pro qualifying begins Friday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Sportsman qualifying began in Pomona on Thursday, November 8, 2018 at the 54th annual NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. Pro qualifying begins Friday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Sportsman qualifying began in Pomona on Thursday, November 8, 2018 at the 54th annual NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. Pro qualifying begins Friday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)