With the momentum from solid runs last weekend in Memphis and past success at this all-concrete drag strip, Cruz Pedregon, the 1992 NHRA Nitro Funny Car World Champion and his Advance Auto Parts team are optimistic heading to Ennis, Texas for this weekend’s NHRA Fall Nationals at the Texas Motorplex. It’s the 20th stop on the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.
No stranger to this track, Pedregon is a two-time winner of this event winning in 1992 and 1995. He’s looking to continue his consistent ways at the Texas Motorplex.
“Our car at Memphis last weekend was showing signs of life, ” said Pedregon. “We made three consistent passes in the 4.90’s so we are anxious to get back to racing this weekend at the Texas Motorplex. This is the one and only all-concrete track we race on all year and it’s a favorite from a crew chief’s perspective. Rahn’s [crew chief, Tobler] steadily putting us on the path to consistency and that’s what it takes to qualify, win rounds and win races.”
The Texas fans won’t let Pedregon forget the tire-smoking, pedal fest in the 1992 finals against John Force. It was a classic Sunday final elimination drag race and a pivotal win in his NHRA Championship run that year.
“It’s always a prestigious race to win, ” said Pedregon. “Many people still talk about the tire-smoking dual I had with John Force here in 1992. The fans from this part of the country are excited to see us every year and their enthusiasm really fires us up. They come from Dallas, San Antonio, Austin and Oklahoma- all areas in which we have Advance Auto Parts stores. I’m looking forward to visiting with them this weekend.
“We don’t want to smoke any tires this weekend. In this business, tire smoking doesn’t get it done. We just need to put in some good runs and continue our burst of consistent runs that we’ve had with our Advance Auto Parts car. I’m really fired up and so is my team. ”
In 1997, Pedregon was 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.
While in Dallas, tune into 88.7 FM and listen live to legendary NHRA track announcer, Bob Frey. How to Get There: The track is on Highway 287, two miles west of Ennis between interstates 35 and 45. From Dallas, take I-45 to Highway 287 west to the track, or take I-35 east to Highway 287 east to the track. From Fort Worth, take Highway 287 east to Waxahachie and continue to the track. After conquering the NHRA Fall Nationals, Cruz Pedregon and his Advance Auto Parts Funny Car team head for Richmond, Va. for the Torco Racing Fuels NHRA Nationals, October 5-7, 2007.
| 
|