Championship Drag Racing

Schuck's Auto Supply NHRA Nationals
Seattle, WA
(July 20-22)

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Driver Profile

Tony Pedregon Pedregon Racing Toyota Camry

Seattle, prerace: Tony Pedregon, the 2003 Funny Car champion, and his Q Horsepower Team will travel to Pacific Raceways in Seattle for the Schuck’s Auto Supply NHRA Nationals. Set in one of the tour’s most breathtaking environments, Pacific Raceways is parked in the shadow of majestic Mount Rainier. This drag strip at sea level is capable of producing record-setting performances.

 “We like racing at sea level,” said Pedregon. “From a performance perspective, our Q Horsepower Funny Car really responds to the advanced tune-ups we give it. The cool, moist air in the Pacific Northwest allows us to make plenty of horsepower and Dickie (Venables, crew chief) is a master in applying the horsepower all the way down the track. We are in the midst of extreme summer conditions and coming into the fifth of six back-to-back races so we must remain focused on winning rounds to keep us in the hunt for the Championship.”

Pedregon, with 33 NHRA career wins, is fresh off a quarterfinal elimination round appearance last weekend in Denver. He remains fourth in the NHRA POWERade Countdown to the Championship standings.

Pedregon knows how to get down the Pacific Raceways drag strip. He won this event from the No. 1 qualifying spot in 2002. He posted a low e.t. of 4.848 and the top speed of the meet: a blistering 315.19 mph in the summer Seattle heat. It was co-crew chief, Dickie Venables, subbing for crew chief John Medlen, who tuned Pedregon’s Funny Car that weekend.

 “We know we can win on any given weekend,” an upbeat Pedregon said. “A trip to the Winner’s Circle here in Seattle would really put us in a good position in the Championship standings.”

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