NHRA® Team Report
NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals – Bristol
Pre-Race Report

For Cruz Pedregon, racing on Father’s Day weekend has special meaning as the son of Drag Racing legend “Flaming Frank” Pedregon. “My brother Tony and I are still in the business our Dad introduced us to, and we love carrying on the legacy of the sport for him and all the great fans,” Cruz says. “I’m driving and Tony’s in the booth for FOX now, and we both love that our children have known this sport from the very start of their lives. We’re proud to continue the tradition and appreciate all the families and sponsors who are doing the same by coming out to the tracks each week and watching the broadcasts.” This week, you’ll see the Snap-on Toyota in the Frankenstein body after El Chignon sustained significant damage in an explosion last weekend in Virginia that left only a side window intact.

Crew Chief Aaron Brooks says, “We had a lot of work to do for this young team to get ready for Bristol. We’re still getting it done to be ready for qualifying Friday, and it’s meant some long days and nights for these hard-working team members.”

“I’m so proud of my crew for really pulling together to get a round win the day after the body blew off last weekend,” says Cruz. “It just proves the team has the tenacity to get everything together in time to go out this weekend and build on our already positive season.”

On the side of Cruz’s car –
Check Cruz’s car this week, and you’ll see the name of area Snap-on Nitro Franchisee Wayne Hartley. In his earlier career, Wayne was an auto tech here in Bristol and says he’s always been into cars. Now he says he spends his days going out to help technicians by providing the tools they need to do their work as quickly and efficiently as possible. Wayne was host to Cruz and others at a Grill ‘n Chill event here locally before the race. He’ll be here at the track with his wife Crystal and sons Trey and Brycen this weekend.