In racing every great champion has to overcome something along the way to claim their sport’s ultimate prize.

For some it is a car or parts problem, for others it is an on-track mistake. But for all just shaking off the butterflies and getting focused before their championship run is a big part of the skill that goes into a championship run.

And on Friday, with everything on the line, seven of the best drivers in the world overcame that emotion and walked away with a championship Ironman several months in the making. Most of the drivers waited well over a year for their championship run after the initial Tournament of Champions was rained out at the World Finals in October adding to the anticipation when rolling into the lanes.

And after a few breaths and a prayer by some the drivers hit the throttle and for seven individuals they were able to add a World Championship to their list of accomplishments. Below are a few images of the championship drivers in the lanes just before their championship runs during Friday’s Tournament of Champions at Rockingham Dragway.

Tommy Maedgen

Keith Mayers

Bo Upton

Michael Beard

Mike Koontz

Donny Urban