Cruz Pedregon/Advance Auto Parts Nitro Funny Car Team Head to Historic Auto Club Raceway
POMONA, Calif. -- Driver/Owner: Cruz Pedregon, the 1992 NHRA Nitro Funny Car world champion, and his Advance Auto Parts Nitro Funny Car Team are headed to historic Auto Club Raceway at Pomona (Calif.), on February 8-11 for the opening round of the 2007 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, the first 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.
Every February since 1961, fans have flocked to Southern California not just for the un-winterlike weather, but also for one of drag racing's grandest traditions: the unveiling of new cars, drivers, teams, and sponsorships at the NHRA POWERade season opener. The Big Go West plays out at the fabled facility known for its outstanding traction, smooth surface, and potential for record performances. Teams hope to use the opener as a springboard in their pursuit of a spot in the Countdown to 8 championship program that ends in August.
"The Advance Auto Parts Racing Team is really looking forward to the Pomona race," Pedregon said. "We get two shots at our home track each season, and we would like nothing more than to start 2007 with a win. We are looking forward to the "new regime" with our new crew chief, Wayne Dupuy, and assistant crew chief, Kevin Butterfield. We are really getting to know each other well, which should bode well for our efforts leading up to the season opener. It has been a while since we have won in Pomona. I know the entire Advance Auto Parts crew would love to kick off our 2007 season on a positive note and win that event. We have done everything we can to prepare for not only this race, but the entire season."
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 Auto Club Raceway at Pomona: The track is about 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. >From Interstate 10 east, exit Fairplex Drive or White Avenue and go north; follow signs to Fairplex. From I-10 west, exit Fairplex Drive and go north. The track is about one mile north of the interstate. Arrow Highway provides access from the north.
After conquering the quarter-mile Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, the NHRA warriors head to the NHRA Nationals at Firebird Int'l Raceway in Phoenix, Ariz., on February 23-25.
