Pedregon

LAS VEGAS -- Tony Pedregon clinched his first Funny Car championship and won the ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday.

Kenny Bernstein, Greg Anderson and Craig Treble also won in their respective categories at the $1.6 million race, the 22nd of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.

Pedregon secured the championship when he beat Whit Bazemore, the No. 2 driver in the standings, in the final round. Pedregon used a 5.135-second pass at 273.39 mph in a Ford Mustang to beat Bazemore's 5.183 at 266.64. Pedregon's boss, John Force, has won 12 Funny Car championships, including the last 10 consecutively.

"We have been under so much pressure trying to win this championship," Pedregon said. "You get beat up mentally by the fear of losing and it makes you wonder if it is all worth it. After today I know that it's all worth it."

Bernstein beat Tony Schumacher in the final round, earning his third win this season and 68th of his career. Bernstein went 4.545 at 326.87 to beat Schumacher's 5.436 at 174.68.

Anderson remained undefeated against Kurt Johnson in the final round of Pro Stock. He went 6.837 at 201.73 in a Pontiac Grand Am to Johnson's 6.878 at 200.56 in a Chevy Cavalier.

Treble earned his first win of the season and sixth of his career, beating Angelle Savoie in the Pro Stock Bike final. Treble used a 7.178 pass at 185.33 to beat Savoie's 7.230 at 188.78.