Robert Hight has become accustomed to opening the NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, Ca, with a strong performance. What happens after that can turn into a crapshoot.
The defending champion opened the 2010 season in the same fashion as the last two by driving to the provisional No. 1 spot, qualifying with a 4.059 elapsed time at 312.86 miles per hour.

“My No. 1 qualifier here last season was my highlight up to Indy,” Hight said. “We were terrible. We started out good. It’s nice to get off on the right foot.”

Robert Hight has become accustomed to opening the NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, Ca, with a strong performance. What happens after that can turn into a crapshoot.

The defending champion opened the 2010 season in the same fashion as the last two by driving to the provisional No. 1 spot, qualifying with a 4.059 elapsed time at 312.86 miles per hour.

“My No. 1 qualifier here last season was my highlight up to Indy,” Hight said. “We were terrible. We started out good. It’s nice to get off on the right foot.”

In 2008, after winning the first race, he won three of six events en route to a fourth place championship finish.

This time Hight edged out Del Worsham, who is celebrating his 40th birthday this weekend.

“It won’t stick, there will be better runs,” Hight said. “It gives us a start where we can get after it and possibly go for the record.”

Courtesy of the NHRA’s qualifying bonus points, Hight ends the first day of the new season in the same fashion he closed last – as point leader. His Thursday No. 1 run netted his team three points.

“I feel like I already have a bullseye on my back,” Hight said. “When you put that number one on the side of your car, it’s like putting up a target. I know when I didn’t have the No. 1 and the other guys did, that’s what I was always gunning for. You know they’re gunning for you.”

And for Hight, he’s hoping his 2010 regular season yields better results than last.

“Hopefully we have a better season than last year in the first part,” Hight said.

The difference for Hight could be in crew chief Jimmy Prock’s swagger.

“Since Indy last year, he’s [Prock] got a confidence, you can see it in him,” Hight explained. “He’s not second guessing himself and not going back and forth to the box making changes. He leaves the pit area with confidence.”

The confidence gives Hight the inspiration to know this is going to be a different kind of season.