Is Robert Hight back? The Auto Club Funny Car driver defeated Matt Hagan in the Funny Car finals in Sonoma and along the way may have found the consistency he and his team has been chasing. Thats a good thing for the John Force Racing Team as they head into Pomona with some per in their step.
“I never thought I’d ever get a chance to drive one of these cars,” said Robert Hight. “John Force gave me a chance, and 26 years later I’m leaving Sonoma with a Funny Car Wally.”
“We’ve had some success,” said Hight, “but this is the first race we’ve had consistency. I think Jimmy Prock has stumbled into some good new things.” If Jimmy Prock has found something, the rest of the field has been put on notice.
In the first round, Hight battled with Steven Densham. Ironically, it was Densham's father who Hight originally took over driving for back when he started. Hight started the day strong easily beating Densham with a 3.938 second run at 320.28 mph.
Starting in the second round, the competition ramped up with the next three rounds all coming against former series champions. The first of them being JR Todd. While Todd put up a respectable run, it was no match for Hight as he completed his 2nd round pass at 3.938 seconds at 326.95 mph.
The semifinals brought familiar foe, and number 1 qualifier, Ron Capps and his NAPA Dodge to his side. Both drivers had very similar passes down the track but at the end, it was Hight barely edging Capps at the line. With a 3.943 second run at 323.35, the badly needed consistency Hight has been desiring was shining through brightly.
That consistency and the win highlighted the importance of the Sonoma victory. “It’s right up there,” said Hight, “because this was an important race for points for the Auto Club team. I’ve had years where we started out on fire, and then go flat. I’ve had years where we couldn’t get started, and they came on strong at the end of the year. During my last championship year, we were strong all year."
“We want to go into the Countdown number one and I don’t see that as an issue now. We head to Auto Club Raceway next weekend. It’s going to be a bit different, hopefully, we go in there and take this good momentum.”
Billy Torrence apparently had a premonition prior to the event unfolded on Sunday.
“Billy sent me a text today,” said Hight. “He said, we are going to have a three-fer. I’m gonna win, your gonna win, and Steve’s gonna win."
While the 2021 season has not been everything Hight has desired, a win in Houston and runner up finishes in Gainesville and Epping has shown the team still has the ability to get it done.
