Celebrating 75 years of speed, power, and the world's fastest motorsport

2002

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2002 TOP FUEL WORLD CHAMPION LARRY DIXON

  • Held points lead entire season
  • Won nine events in 14 final-round appearances
  • Drove for NHRA legend Don Prudhomme
  • Qualified No. 1 seven times
  • Compiled a 57-13 win-loss record

Top Fuel world champion
Larry Dixon

Funny Car world champion
John Force

Pro Stock world champion
Jeg Coughlin Jr.

Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion
Angelle Sampey

Top Alcohol Dragster world champion
Art Gallant

Top Alcohol Funny Car world champion
Frank Manzo

Comp eliminator world champion
Mike Saye

Super Stock world champion
Anthony Bertozzi

Stock eliminator world champion
Kevin Helms

Super Comp world champion
Jim Hughes

Super Gas world champion
Todd Stewart

2002

SEASON HIGHLIGHTS

FORCE EARNS 100TH VICTORY

John Force became the first NHRA driver to reach the 100-win milestone at the spring event in Houston en route to his 10th straight and 12th overall NHRA Funny Car world championship.

SAMPEY TIES MULDOWNEY

Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Angelle Sampey (née Savoie) secured her third world championship, tying the record held by Top Fuel great Shirley Muldowney for the most titles by a female NHRA competitor.

DIXON WINS TITLE FOR ‘SNAKE’

In his 40th year in the sport and eighth as a team owner, Don “the Snake” Prudhomme won his fifth world championship when his driver, Larry Dixon, won the Top Fuel title.

BERNSTEIN RETIRES FROM DRIVING

Although he would return for two short encores over the next few years, NHRA nitro legend Kenny Bernstein retired from the cockpit, turning over the wheel of the Budweiser King to his son, Brandon, in 2003.

2002

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

2002 rookie

Gene Wilson

The 24-year-old driver joined the Mopar Parts Dodge team in March at the Gainesville event and went on to post runner-up finishes at three races and finished ninth in the final points standings.

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