Tony Schumacher completed an impressive sweep of NHRA’s infamous 3-race “Western Swing” when he won the Fram-Autolite Nationals at California’s Infineon Raceway. The victory, which was Schumacher’s 8th of the season so far, also clinched the number one seed for the 2008 NHRA POWERade Countdown to One championship chase.

Schumacher’s 49th career NHRA event title saw him power the U.S. Army-backed dragster to round wins over Doug Kalitta, Rod Fuller and Steve Torrence. In the final round he outgunned Northern California native Hillary Will who had another strong event performance. Schumacher moved first (.089 to .144 RT) and won with a 3.886 secs 307.93 mph lap.

Low ET and top speed at Sonoma was set by Antron Brown, driver of the David Powers owned Matco Tools dragster. Brown hit a 3.805 secs at 316.45 mph during qualifying.

Robert Hight scored in Funny Car eliminator winning his 3rd race of 2008. Hight’s AAA Auto Club Ford Mustang roared to a winning 4.163 secs at 296.50 mph to topple sentimental class racer Gary Densham who ran a close 4.222 secs at 289.14 mph during the loss.

Hight had defeated Del Worsham, Cruz Pedregon and Tony Pedregon in earlier action.

Ashley Force notched another first for drag racing during the event when she became the first female to earn the pole in FC class racing history. Ashley ran a 4.096 secs to take that honor and she ran an even quicker 4.094 secs (low ET) while winning in round one. Ashley however lost in round two to overall FC points leader Tim Wilkerson, 4.113 secs to 4.153 secs.

The Pro Stock titles at Sonoma were captured by Dave Connolly (car) and by Matt Guildera (motorcycle).

Connolly’s win was his 2nd of the year (after a late season start) and came following a super exciting final round win over his teammate Jeg Coughlin. The final was a wire-to-wire battle between the two Chevy Colbalts with Connolly prevailing by the narrowest of margins; 6.628 secs 207.69 mph to 6.627 secs 207.24 mph.

Jason Line, who won the week before at Seattle, set low ET of the meet in Pro Stock at 6.590 secs.

Guildera’s win in Motorcycle was also his 2nd title of the year. He drove his Buell to a holeshot win over points leader Andrew Hines in the final round combining a .018 RT with a run of 7.054 secs at 185.74 mph to knock off Hines’ quicker and faster 7.026 secs at 187.34 mph.

Lady rider Karen Stoffer had a strong performance at Sonoma, qualifying low (6.962 secs) and setting top speed of the race at 194.21 mph riding her Geico-sponsored Suzuki TL1000.