With just a single national event completed in the 2003 NHRA season, it would be impossible to detect any trends developing in the three professional classes, right?

Think again.

There are trends in place that extend further back than just the season-opening Winternationals in Pomona, Calif., two weeks ago.

This weekend, the second race on the docket, the Checker Schucks Kragen Nationals at Firebird Raceway outside Phoeniz could see those trends become even more unshakable. Here's a look at what those trends are and how they could impact the action.

Top Fuel
After a blistering start to the 2002 season, Larry Dixon is at it again. He and tuner Dick Lahaie were as flawless as a defending event and series champion can be in Pomona, winning both the race and the Budweiser Shootout postponed from November. It was a display of domination that dates back to 2001, when Dixon and Kenny Bernstein cut a huge swath through the category.

Dixon must falter to lose the crown. Meanwhile, Brandon Bernstein made a resounding debut in Pomona despite a first-round loss. Now, all expectations are he'll be camped in the vicinity of the points lead before long.

Cory McClenathan's runner-up finish, Doug Kalitta's scorching 4.482 in qualifying, Tony Schumacher's success at Firebird (he won the race last year and ran the sport's first 330-mph pass there in 1999) and Doug Herbert's improvement will have Dixon looking over his shoulder this weekend. But for anyone to out-run him, he and Lahaie would have to prove they are mortal.

Funny Car
The racers in the Funny Car class have waited a long time for John Force to slow down. In Pomona two weeks ago, he did. He made a single strong pass in qualifying and lost in the first round to Tommy Johnson Jr. But, unfortunately, for those who were lined up to make the most of Force's misfortune, Force's No. 2 driver, Tony Pedregon, swept through the field Sunday with four very Force-like laps -- all in the 4.70s -- on his way to victory.

Where's the trend here?

Pedregon came within 78 points of taking the 2002 title and he did so with a second-half string of quick and consistent passes. He lost in the fall Las Vegas race to his boss and dropped the dramatic semifinal in the year's last race at Pomona to Force again. It appears Pedregon's team, with John Medlen and Dicke Venables calling the plays, have their setup in place.

The other multi-car conglomerates had varying degrees of success in Pomona. Del Worsham faltered, but saw his team driver, Johnny Gray, advance to his first career pro final and put up a decent fight against Pedregon. Johnson Jr. and teammate Ron Capps each reached the semifinals, while all three Schumacher machines -- driven by Whit Bazemore, Scotty Cannon and Gary Scelzi -- were off the diamond by the end of Round 2. They'll have to do much better to contain Pedregon in Phoenix -- remember, in his last 12 trips to Firebird, Force has won or been runner-up nine times.

Pro Stock
The trend of unpredictability continues to guide the Pro Stock category. Who could have predicted the triumphant return of six-time champ Warren Johnson after his lackluster 2002? Even his son, Kurt, who finished sixth in the points last year, made a splash -- and it might have been even bigger had he not drawn his dad in Round 2.

Want more proof the Johnsons are back? They swapped the national top speed record twice on raceday with Warren eventually taking it with his 204.91, slightly faster than Kurt's 204.57. Warren had two metaphysical reaction times Sunday -- a .005 and .003 -- despite the debut of new, slightly quicker LED bulbs in the Tree. All in all, the Johnsons were up to their old tricks.

Predicting a winner at any event over the past few seasons has made wise men look foolish. But defending event champion Bruce Allen will be out to rebound from his first-round loss in Pomona. Jim Yates has essentially rebuilt his Firebird from the wheels up after his DNQ two weeks ago. Team Mopar showed tremendous strength at Pomona with career-best numbers from Allen Johnson and Darrell Alderman. And defending Pro Stock champ Jeg Coughlin knows his DNQ in Pomona isn't the best way to embark on his title defense. Expect those players to have a hand in the event's outcome Sunday.