The last time Courtney Force was in Pomona, she lost to Cruz Pedregon in the finals. But like she has displayed throughout her brief Funny Car career, the learning curve appears to be rapid for the reigning Rookie of the Year winner. Back in Pomona, this time to kick off the 2013 season with the NHRA Winternationals, Force was incredible, qualifying No. 1 and then rolling through eliminations on Sunday. She capped it off with an event-best 4.025 at 317.12 mph to beat Ron Capps for the second straight time en route to her second career win. "It was definitely pretty unbelievable. My team gave me a great race car, a consistent race car all weekend long. They made my job simple," Force said. "Returning and picking up where we left off, I'm just proud of finishing the job." Winning at her home track added that much more to the moment for Force, who admitted plenty of nerves going against Capps, who ran a 4.036 a round earlier, in the finals. It started when two of her John Force Racing teammates went out in the first round -- including Capps knocking off John with a 4.108 -- putting the onus squarely on her shoulders. But Force, who qualified with a 4.036 at 318.24 mph, responded with championship grit rarely displayed in second-year racers, knocking off Phil Burkart and Matt Hagan with a 4.066 and a 4.07, respectively, to move to the semifinals. Force then got her big break in the semifinals, shaking the tires en route to a 10.422 against Bob Tasca III. But Tasca went red, sending a relieved Force to the finals. "I saw the red light and I knew I was good, but it was pure luck," Force said. "We both wanted to get that win, and we just got lucky." Luck wasn't needed in the finals against Capps, as Force rocketed out of the gate with an incredible run, even as her car drifted toward the center line. By that point, though, Force was ready to do anything to pull out the victory. "Going against Capps, I was terrified. I knew he wanted revenge and he was running good all weekend," Force said. "It definitely made me nervous. He's a tough competitor, but my car was flying. It got over to the center line and I just hung onto it, trying to keep it straight and get across the finish line for that win." That it happened in the right lane made the impressive run that much more memorable for Force. She had struggled in the lane generally considered the inferior one in Pomona, but it didn't bother her in the finals, also proving that Force may be a difficult out the entire 2013 season. "To get a 4.02 in what was considered the bad lane was just unbelievable. I think we've got a pretty bad hot rod going into Phoenix," Force said. "It's pretty surreal to be in the points lead. It was just crazy." There was an added bonus to the season-opening win as well. The victory gave Force an automatic entry into the Traxxas Shootout later this year, a big accomplishment considering she had to win the fan vote a year ago to make the field. "Making into the Traxxas Shootout at my home track, I think that's the coolest thing," Force said. "Being the first one, it's pretty cool." For the latest in drag racing news, visit www.competitionplus.com

• published: 12 Dec 2013