This season, Tony's team supplied him with the power to dominate his closest rival, Whit Bazemore (photo), and most of the Funny Car field. The final of this race came down to the number one and two cars, Tony versus Whit, and Pedregon remained undefeated in 2003 final round appearances eight for eight. On his way to the Wally and the season championship, the Mustang driver defeated Terry Haddock, Del Worsham, Gary Scelzi and finally Bazemore.

In the tension-filled final, both cars lost traction at mid-track. Baze didn't smoke the tires quite as much and pulled ahead by a car length only to find a smoking Tony pedal and turn on the win light by a nose 5.135 to Whit's 5.183.

EMPLOYMENT LINE AT JOHN FORCE RACING

Two candidates can be removed from the list of those rumored be driving for John Force if newly crowned Funny Car Champ Tony Pedregon decides to split.

Ron Capps said that he has signed a new three-year contract with Snake Racing and that American Tobacco's Skoal brand has also inked a new three-year pact to sponsor both the blue and green Funny Cars of Capps and teammate Tommy Johnson Jr. According to Capps, look for some "surprising" changes to be announced very soon to the Skoal green team. In January both teams will begin testing the new Chevrolet Monte Carlo body design to replace their current out-of-production Camaro, but Capps reminded me that the words "Monte Carlo" did not come from his lips. (Zak Hawthorne photo)

Candidate two was Gary Scelzi, who assured me that he'll be behind the wheel of his Mike Neff-tuned Schumacher Racing ride next year and not driving for Team Force. Although Scelzi would not confirm his sponsor for 2004, he did say that he couldn't wait for this season to end. As Scelzi put it, "We are beat" with the rainout postponements and testing this season. He was thrilled to be able to take a week off of before Vegas to hang out with his wife and kids at home in Fresno.

The Schumacher and Force teams stayed over Monday in Las Vegas to test for the Pomona Finals. Scelzi was quick to add that team owner Don Schumacher has said that if they need to test for the entire month of January, it's in the budget.

As far as Scotty Cannon's chores, he'll be fielding a Pro Mod next season, but will not be a part of Schumacher Racing.