Frank Pedregon, older brother of Cruz and Tony, has returned to the drag racing after 12 years. He has reunited with old teammates Chuck and Del Worsham to run eight to 10 events this year in the Worsham family Toyota Funny Car.

“We’re going to run as many races as we can this year. I already confirmed a bunch of events, but we have a bunch of deals we’re working on to run more,” Pedregon said. “We’ll run Las Vegas next – I’m going to be a real fish out of water at the four-wide because I’ve never done that – then Houston, Sonoma, Seattle, Dallas, Las Vegas, and Pomona again, and then others as we’re able to put deals together.”

But the racing scene has changed while he has been gone.

“These days, you have to create a ride. In the old days, people would call drivers and ask them to drive their car. Now, the drivers have to call the owners and bring money. That’s what I’ve been working on.”   [02/11/19]

From left, Doug Herbert, Terry Vance and NHRA announcer Alan Reinhart.  (Ron Lewis photo)

At the Winternationals on Saturday Terry Vance, 14-time national champion motorcycle drag racer, title-winning team owner, and co-founder of aftermarket motorcycle performance parts manufacturer Vance & Hines, presented $1 million to Doug Herbert, the multi-time Top Fuel drag racing champion who founded B.R.A.K.E.S. in 2008 after the tragic loss of his sons Jon and James in a car crash.

Vance, who recently attended B.R.A.K.E.S.’ intensive half-day defensive driver training program with both of his own sons, said: “As a parent, every time your kid goes out the door, especially if they’re getting into a car, you want to know that you’ve done everything in your power to help them get back home safe. B.R.A.K.E.S. training does that. It gives teens skills and knowledge that we all know they’ll need on the street, and it stresses the importance of making good decisions to avoid trouble in the first place. I think every teen should go through B.R.A.K.E.S. That’s why my wife and I are making this donation to help Doug’s program keep expanding and saving lives, and we hope to inspire others to do the same.”    [02/11/19]

In an exhibition match race of 1955 Chevy gassers at the Winternationals, Mike Finnegan from the RoadKill TV show took two straight wins over Hoonigan’s Jon Chase.

Finnegan drove “Blasphemi” to an easy win on Friday, but had a bit more trouble on Saturday. Chase’s “Tri 5 By Fire” was ahead at the 60-foot mark, but then lost power at 330 feet and Finnegan went on to get his second win.

As part of the Kall Out Kings promotion, the loser was shorn of his beard. Don Garlits deja vu? (Ron Lewis photo)   [02/11/19]

In response to those who love racing Jr. Dragsters but who already have reached or soon will reach the mandatory retirement age, the NHRA’s Southeast Division will experiment this year with a new category called Jr. Dragster Masters.

Using the same performance parameters of the Advanced Jr. Dragster class currently maintained for 13-to-18-year-olds, Jr. Dragster Masters will offer a competitive outlet not only for those 19-and-20 somethings no longer eligible under the current guidelines, but also for those who have raced junior cars in events previously designated as “Parents Races.”  Eligibility requirements for Jr. Dragster Masters are an ET license and an NHRA issued permanent number for the class

If there is enough interest in the new class, NHRA Southeast Division Director Rich Schaefer suggested that it could at some point become part of the NHRA’s popular Summit ET Series.   [02/11/19]