Rain showers at the Pomona Dragstrip threw a wrench into the plans of Austin Prock and John Force Racing, leaving their championship celebration on hold.
Prock, who has been dominating the Funny Car division all season, was poised to claim his first championship title but the weather had other plans.
Qualifying at the NHRA Finals, which was scheduled for Saturday, was delayed due to the rain, putting Prock's coronation on ice.
Despite having a massive points lead, Prock will have to wait at least another day to officially claim the championship.
"It's frustrating, but you can't control the weather," Prock said. "We've worked all season for this moment, and we're not going to let a little rain dampen our spirits."
Prock's team, led by the legendary John Force, has been on a tear all season, racking up win after win and setting themselves up for a championship run.
But the delay could work in favor of Prock's competitors, who are still mathematically alive in the championship hunt.
"We're not counting our chickens before they hatch," said one rival driver. "We've still got a shot at this thing, and we're going to make the most of it."
Despite the delay, Prock remains confident that he will ultimately claim the championship.
"We've worked too hard to get to this point to let it slip away," he said. "We'll get the job done, no matter what."
The NHRA Finals are scheduled to resume on Sunday, with Prock and his team eagerly awaiting the opportunity to get back on the track and secure the championship.