ENCORE? 2005 is a Tough Act To Beat, But 2006 Looks Promising.(Motorsports)

Byline: BILL STEPHENS

With the Carquest Auto Parts Winternationals' official opening of the Powerade NHRA season at the Fairplex in Pomona, California, Feb. 9, one question will have been rattling around inside the head of each member of Nitro Nation: Can 2006 possibly be better than 2005?

Last season was an unmitigated grand slam, especially in Funny Car, which treated fans to the most evenly fought and unpredictably suspenseful free-for-all in the category's history. Top Fuel saw thunderous elapsed times and speeds, many provided courtesy of a repeat champion, while the beginning and ending of the Pro Stock campaign were as dissimilar to each other as beginnings and endings ever are.

So what does this year have in store for us?

Top Fuel

Unless Tony Schumacher and his beyond-brilliant crew chief Alan Johnson divest themselves of all worldly possessions and become Jesuit missionaries, you can expect the U.S. Army-sponsored team to play "catch us if you can'' again. Schumacher's dad Don will field a second dragster driven by Melanie Troxel for the entire schedule, which should be a technical and strategic plus. Not that winning back-to-back championships exposed any weaknesses at Schumacher Racing-the sport's biggest operation.

Connie Kalitta will have three cars trimmed out for another run at the title that has avoided the grasp of his nephew Doug since 1998. Doug finished second in points twice in the last three years and, with teammates David Grubnic and rookie phenom Hillary Will completing Kalitta Racing's lineup, the outfit will again be dangerous.