Cruz Pedregon, the 1992 NHRA Nitro Funny Car world champion, and his Advance Auto Parts Nitro Funny Car Team are headed to Firebird Int’l Raceway in Phoenix, Ariz., on February 23-25, for the next round of the 2007 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, the second of 23 powerhouse events this year. Pedregon finished 10th in the 2006 NHRA point standings, accumulating one win early in the year in Las Vegas.
NHRA’s annual duel in the desert has been a Southwest fixture since 1985, when it joined the tour in a late fall slot. Since 1990, it’s been the second stop on the tour’s westward march and a place for teams to redeem mistakes made at the opener. Charlie Allen, a former Funny Car racer, constructed a track that makes people forget it sits at 1,100 feet above sea level. The facility is also known for its annual preseason tests and history-making passes.
“We did a lot of successful testing at Firebird, and have done well there in the past, ” Pedregon explained. “We have had a strong car the last few years in Phoenix. There’s a lot of focus at the beginning of the season on Pomona and Phoenix - to get a good start, which typically sets the tone for a good year, so it’s important to do well there. We have done our homework and are well prepared for the challenges Firebird will give us. “
During his rookie season in Funny Car in 1992, Pedregon won the NHRA world championship. With this accomplishment he became the only racer other than John Force to win the championship in the 90s. In 1997, Pedregon was also the first motorsports athlete to receive the “Premio De Oro, ” the only national award for Hispanic athletes. Born into a racing family, Pedregon’s father, Frank, raced Top Fuel dragsters in the 1960s. His brothers Tony and Frank also compete in the Nitro Funny Car ranks. In 1980, Cruz won his first official drag race at the age of 15, driving a 1953 Kenworth truck.
How to Get Firebird Int’l Raceway: The track is 10 miles south of Phoenix and minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor Int’l Airport. From Phoenix, take Interstate 10 east to the Wild Horse Pass exit (162). From Tucson, take I-10 west to the Wild Horse Pass exit (162).
After conquering the quarter-mile Firebird Int’l Raceway, the NHRA warriors head to the NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville (Fla. ), on March 16-18.
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