Robert Hight, 49, Yorba Linda, Calif.

2009 and 2017 Funny Car World Champion

2005 Road to the Future Award (NHRA Rookie of the Year)

Birthday: August 20, 1969

Low E.T.: 3.793 (National Record)

Top Speed: 339.86 (National Record)

Wins: 48

Final Rounds: 65

No. 1 qualifiers: 61

As the 2018 Funny Car championship battle came to a conclusion terms like “throw-back” and “old school” were consistently being used to describe two-time champion Robert Hight. An explosion in the St. Louis final round broke his collarbone but did not slow down Robert who two weeks later won the AAA Texas Fall Nationals to remain in contention during The Countdown.

Hight battled through the pain and had the Automobile Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro in championship contention for every qualifying run and elimination round until the final day of the season. He finished his 14th season in second place but was recognized as one of the odds-on favorites for the 2019 Funny Car championship.

A winner in just his fourth professional race (the 2005 NHRA Spring Nationals at Houston, Texas), Robert was already one of the sport’s most accomplished drivers. He has won at least once in every one of his 14 pro seasons, has never finished outside the Top 10 and has never failed to start at least one race from the No. 1 qualifying position.

Robert not only won the 2017 championship, sharing the podium with JFR teammate Brittany Force, who won the Top Fuel title, he also set national records at 3.793 seconds and 339.87 miles per hour.

A 48-time pro winner, fourth all time among Funny Car drivers, Robert made history en route to his first title in 2009 when he became the only driver in any category to win from the No. 10 starting position, winning 15 of 18 rounds of racing with three event victories in the Countdown.