POMONA, California (AP) — Defending Top Fuel champion Tony Schumacher raced to his 42nd career victory on Sunday in the CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals, while Funny Car champion Tony Pedregon escaped serious injury in a spectacular explosion.

Pedregon sustained burns to his right hand but was otherwise okay after the wild ride in a first-round loss to John Force. The engine on Pedregon's Chevy Impala exploded in a large fireball as his car sped toward the finish line, sending chunks of the carbon-fibre body that covers the chassis flying into the air.

Schumacher, second on the Top Fuel victory list behind Joe Amato (52), covered the Auto Club Raceway at Pomona quarter-mile strip in 4.499 seconds at 331.28 mph, while Cory McClenathan trailed at 4.536 and 329.26.

"It has been an outstanding week," Schumacher said after his second Winternationals victory and sixth at the historic track. "The car was so consistent all weekend. It's always great to win at Pomona and this is our second Winternationals win. I've loved being in California this week. I'm going home to 13 inches of snow tomorrow."

Schumacher dedicated his trophy to fellow competitor Doug Herbert, whose two young sons were killed in a car accident in North Carolina two weeks ago.

"We're all part of a family when something like that happens," Schumacher said.

"I really wanted Doug to have this trophy. It was bittersweet having to race him in the second round.

"We were able to go on and get the win so this trophy is going to Doug."