Category Archives: Cruz Pedregon

Cruz Pedregon–Epping Advance

NHRA® Team Report
NHRA New England Nationals – Epping, NH
Pre-Race Report

Cruz Pedregon and team are upbeat after spending time in their Brownsburg, Indiana shop before heading to New England. “We are really looking forward to Epping and aren’t letting the fact that we didn’t qualify last weekend get in the way of what we’ll make happen this weekend in the Snap-on Toyota,” says Cruz. “I honestly feel we have the best car in the pit and on the track, and we’re ready to show the fans what it can do.” Continue reading Cruz Pedregon–Epping Advance

Cruz Pedregon–Norwalk Advance

NHRA® Team Report
Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals – Norwalk, OH
Pre-Race Report

Cruz Pedregon and team made time to stop in their Brownsburg, Indiana shop this week before heading to Norwalk. The team is revved and ready for the fourth consecutive weekend race. “Jumping to eighth in the points has really bolstered this young team’s confidence as we get on the road to Norwalk,” says Cruz. “It feels good to have qualified in the top five in four of the last five races, and we’re confident we’ll do well Friday and Saturday and go rounds Sunday.” Continue reading Cruz Pedregon–Norwalk Advance

Cruz Pedregon–Bristol Pre-Race

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. Continue reading Cruz Pedregon–Bristol Pre-Race

Cruz Pedregon–Chicago Advance

NHRA® Team Report
NHRA Route 66 Nationals – Chicago
Pre-Race Report

After qualifying in the top half at seven out of eight races, Cruz Pedregon says the Snap-on Toyota team is doing well and is excited about being at Route 66, the ”home” track of primary sponsor Snap-on with headquarters nearby in Kenosha, WI. “It will be good to have so many of the Snap-on folks at the track this weekend,” says Cruz. “At the end of last season, Snap-on renewed our contract to extend our great, long-time partnership. I set a track record here in 2015, so I’m up for setting a new one for our sponsor and all the terrific NHRA fans who’ll be watching at the track, online and on TV.” Continue reading Cruz Pedregon–Chicago Advance

Cruz Pedregon–Kansas Advance

NHRA® Team Report
NHRA Heartland Nationals – Topeka
Pre-Race Report

Cruz Pedregon and team are headed to the Heartland with renewed energy and sights set on the next win of the season. “The Snap-on Toyota is fast, and it’s exciting to get the round wins we know we can get out of the car,” says Pedregon. “Of course, a trip to the semi-finals and a recent Wally are confidence builders for the team. It’s something we all feel as a crew…it’s a real sense of gratitude that the hard work is paying off.” Continue reading Cruz Pedregon–Kansas Advance

Cruz Pedregon Atlanta Preview

NHRA® Team Report
NHRA Southern Nationals – Atlanta
Pre-Race Report

With Wally in tow, Cruz Pedregon and team are ready for another win as they head to Atlanta this weekend. “We are still riding high and know we’ve got the car, crew, fans and sponsor to make it happen again,” said Pedregon. “As the driver, I’m really motivated, and it feels good to be backed by talented people and a really great car.” Continue reading Cruz Pedregon Atlanta Preview

Cruz Pedregon and Snap-on Funny Car Cruise to Victory in Charlotte

Cruz Pedregon and Snap-on Funny Car
Cruise to Victory in Charlotte

KENOSHA, Wis. – April 30, 2018 – Cruz Pedregon and the Snap-on Funny Car team knew everything was lined up for a win, and they were right. Pedregon captured his first win of the year and 36th career victory yesterday in Charlotte with a time of 4.05 at 316 mph. Continue reading Cruz Pedregon and Snap-on Funny Car Cruise to Victory in Charlotte

Cruz Pedregon Charlotte Pre-Race

NHRA® Team Report
NHRA Four-Wide Nationals – Charlotte
Pre-Race Report

After the team’s strongest qualifying event of the season, Cruz Pedregon and crew are headed to Charlotte enthusiastic about what they’re seeing from the Snap-on Toyota Funny Car. “The car and new chassis are really responding well to the work we’ve done,” said Pedregon. “We’re thrilled with the more consistent 3.9 runs, getting faster with each pass, and we’re looking forward to making it the fifth race this season we qualify in the top half of the field.” Continue reading Cruz Pedregon Charlotte Pre-Race

Cruz Pedregon Houston Preview

NHRA® Team Report
NHRA Spring Nationals – Houston
Pre-Race Report

Cruz Pedregon and team will debut a new Snap-on Toyota chassis in Houston that will run full-time after this weekend. “It’s a terrific opportunity for us to have a fresh car on a track that’s been good to us in the past,” Pedregon says. “We always enjoy the races here in Texas. Since we’ve won here at Royal Purple three times before, the plan is to make it a nice even four wins.”

Crew Chief Aaron Brooks says, “We made a couple of test runs with the new chassis before we left Las Vegas, and we like what we were able to accomplish. We’re looking forward to great results this weekend.”

Cruz spent some time in Houston visiting Snap-on franchise customers and doing media interviews before Friday’s qualifying rounds.

On the side of Cruz’s car this week –
If you’ll check the side of Cruz’s car this week, you’ll see the name of local Snap-on Nitro Franchisee Ryan Kasper. Ryan has had his Snap-on franchise business since 1995 and says his interest started with a borrowed wrench. He needed something that would take a bolt off his four-wheeler, and his neighbor loaned him a Snap-on tool. Ryan also had two great uncles who sold Snap-on products, so the brand has long been a part of his family tree. He says he enjoys coming to the track and that “there’s nothing like the smell of nitro in the stands.”

Cruz Pedregon Gainesville Preview

NHRA® Team Report
NHRA Gatornationals – Gainesville, FL
Pre-Race Report

Cruz Pedregon and team have the Snap-on Toyota tuned and ready for Gainesville. “We’re planning on a good string of runs like we’ve had at the Gatornationals as number one qualifier four years in a row,” Cruz says. “It felt great to have a career best 333 mph in Phoenix. Hitting the top speed of the meet has gotten us fired up for the weekend ahead.” Continue reading Cruz Pedregon Gainesville Preview

NHRA® Team Report NHRA Arizona Nationals – Phoenix Pre-Race Report

NHRA® Team Report
NHRA Arizona Nationals – Phoenix
Pre-Race Report

Energized by a quarterfinals showing in the first race of the season, Cruz Pedregon and team are looking forward to what the Snap-on Toyota can do in Phoenix this week. “We’re getting our newer team members in tune with what we can make happen each week at the track, and that takes patience and encouragement,” Cruz says. “A round win and some strong runs in the first weekend of the regular season really demonstrated to them how it will pay off for us to all be on the same page when we hit the track in Phoenix this weekend.” Continue reading NHRA® Team Report NHRA Arizona Nationals – Phoenix Pre-Race Report

Cruz Pedregon Pomona Pre-Race

NHRA® Team Report

NHRA Winternationals – Pomona, CA

Pre-Race Report

Cruz Pedregon is serious about success in the season ahead with a new chassis for the Snap-on Toyota and the addition of racing veteran Glen Huszar as assistant crew chief. “We ended last season getting the numbers we wanted and more consistency in our runs, and we are upping our game from that good place this year,” Cruz says. “Aaron (Brooks), the team and I finished the season with Glen helping us out in Vegas and Pomona, and we all liked what we could make happen together. It’s already working well with the 3.89 run at 330 mph we made during testing. That’s the fastest run ever for me at 1,000 ft.”
Continue reading Cruz Pedregon Pomona Pre-Race

Snap-on Renews Contract with NHRA Funny Car Driver Cruz Pedregon

Snap-on Renews Contract with NHRA
Funny Car Driver Cruz Pedregon

POMONA, Calif. – Nov. 10, 2017 – Snap-on is pleased to announce the extension of its contract with two-time National Hot Rod Association Funny Car World Champion Cruz Pedregon. The primary sponsorship agreement runs for three seasons, extending through 2020, the 100th anniversary of Snap-on.

“Cruz has been a valued member of the Snap-on team since 1992 when he won his first NHRA Funny Car championship. He’s had some spectacular runs and wins during our many seasons together, and we’re looking forward to many more,” says Yvette Morrison, vice president of marketing for Snap-on Tools Group. “Cruz continues to be a winner with our franchisees, customers and associates. He is a great ambassador for our brand.

“It’s a relationship that goes beyond the track and into the shops along the drag racing route. Customers always enjoy talking tools and cars with Cruz,” added Morrison. “That customer connection is very much inline with the Snap-on brand, and continuing our partnership with Cruz as a driver in the NHRA, showcases our products with fans of the sport, many of whom are also Snap-on fans.”

“I am thrilled to continue our partnership with Snap-on and to know we will be part of this great company for its 100th anniversary,” Pedregon says. “Snap-on and I have been together for more than a quarter century, and I look forward to the years ahead representing one of the most respected brands in the world. It’s a terrific relationship, and one the team and I are glad to be a part of. We’re proud to wear the Snap-on logo and pleased to be able to use the best professional tools in our pits.”

Pedregon’s 35 NHRA Funny Car career wins places him No. 6 all time. He has 75 career final round appearances.

Cruz Pedregon Pomona Advance

NHRA® Team Report

NHRA Finals – Pomona, CA

Pre-Race Report

Cruz Pedregon and team are looking forward to the season wrap-up in Pomona, California as part of the Countdown and to an announcement scheduled prior to Friday’s qualifying rounds. “It will be great to share good news at a track in my home state and at the final race of the season…a race the team and I’ve won before,” Cruz says. “The season has been one of adjustments and re-adjustments, all leading up to good numbers, a spot in the Countdown and a career best run in Vegas two weeks ago.” Continue reading Cruz Pedregon Pomona Advance

Cruz Pedregon Dallas Advance

NHRA® Team Report

NHRA Fall Nationals – Dallas, TX

Pre-Race Report

Some of Cruz Pedregon’s best racing memories have been made in Dallas, and he and the team are looking forward to making good things happen there again this weekend. “When some of the defining moments of your career are made at a track, it’s always a special place to come back to it…and that’s the way I feel about the Texas Motorplex,” Cruz says. “We wanted to be ready, so we took the nose off the body that was damaged last week after hitting the sand and got it ready for the weekend ahead. We’ll be running the breast cancer awareness paint scheme through October to share the work we’re doing with our sponsor Snap-on to support The Pink Fund. It’s a great organization that works to make it a little easier when someone is undergoing treatment for breast cancer, and we want the fans in the stands and watching on FOX to see that name and know the resources available through this caring organization.” Continue reading Cruz Pedregon Dallas Advance

Cruz Pedregon and Sponsor Snap-on Bring Support for Breast Cancer Patients to the Track

Cruz Pedregon and Sponsor Snap-on Bring

Support for Breast Cancer Patients to the Track

Paint scheme, Saturday outreach help fund non-medical financial needs through

The Pink Fund

KENOSHA, WI (Sept. 27, 2017) – Gateway Raceway will be the kick-off for Breast Cancer Awareness month with Cruz Pedregon and Snap-on driving to bring attention to The Pink Fund®. The non-profit organization provides short-term financial assistance to cancer patients to cover non-medical living expenses. Continue reading Cruz Pedregon and Sponsor Snap-on Bring Support for Breast Cancer Patients to the Track

Cruz Pedregon–Reading Pre-Race

NHRA® Team Report
Dodge NHRA Nationals – Reading, PA
Pre-Race Report

Cruz Pedregon and his Snap-on Funny Car team have their sights set on Maple Grove Raceway. The trees that line the facility in the heart of Pennsylvania Amish Country make the track beautiful, but they also make it fast. “The trees in the valley give off so much oxygen,” says Crew Chief Aaron Brooks. “Combine that with the low altitude there, and that means extra power. Plus, cool temperatures at night could mean quick elapsed times – and more qualifying points for us.” Continue reading Cruz Pedregon–Reading Pre-Race

Cruz Pedregon–Indianapolis Advance

NHRA® Team Report

NHRA U.S. Nationals – Indianapolis

Pre-Race Report

Cruz Pedregon is ready to show off what the Snap-on Toyota is capable of this weekend at “The Big Go.” “As a lifelong drag racing driver and fan, every race is important. But this race is as big as it gets, especially with the top 10 Playoffs spot right there for us to take,” Cruz says. “The team and I have been working long and hard for this, and with the point-and-a-half system at Indy, it’s definitely ‘go’ time for us.”

Crew Chief Aaron Brooks says, “The tuning is set; Cruz is pumped; and we want to show fans at our home track and viewers on FOX and NHRA All Access what this car is all about. It’s been one of the most competitive seasons I can remember seeing in Funny Car, and I’m excited to be a part of it this year.”

An Open House is planned at the Cruz Pedregon Racing shop at 462 Southpoint Cir # A, in Brownsburg, Thursday, August 31 from 5 until 8 p.m. The event is open to the public, and firing up the Funny Car is on the agenda.

On the side of Cruz’s car this week –

If you’ll check the side of Cruz’s car this week, you’ll see the name of Snap-on Nitro Franchisee Trey Reed. Previously a heavy equipment and airline mechanic, Trey has been a Snap-on franchisee for just over seven years and got his start after taking advice from his best friend, who is also a franchisee. His favorite part of the business is sharing his knowledge of tools with other tool lovers on his route. Trey’s also a big fan of the many programs and opportunities Snap-on offers its franchisees to help them reach their personal and career goals.

Cruz Pedregon–Brainerd Advance

NHRA® Team Report

NHRA Lucas Oil Nationals – Brainerd, Minn.

Pre-Race Report

Cruz Pedregon and team took the Snap-on Toyota to task at a match race before Brainerd, and it performed the way they plan for it to in the weekend ahead. “This top 10 position feels really good heading into the Playoffs. The car is doing just what we need it to do to move up in the standings in the next two critical races,” Cruz says. “We’ll take it a round at a time. But, running a 3.92 and a 3.93 before getting here has us in a good spot mentally and right where we want to be with our tuning.”

Crew Chief Aaron Brooks says, “We’re ready to get a couple of rounds under our belt and qualify in the top five. As a team, we know we’ve got the Snap-on Toyota right where we want it. Cruz is feeling good, and so are we.”

This weekend, the Snap-on Toyota will be sporting its traditional paint scheme on the “El Jefe” body. Cruz’s El Guapo, the handsome one, body had some nose damage after a trip to the sand earlier this year. Cruz says the team is looking forward to the car living up to its name as “the chief.” To get a feel for what it’s like to go 322 mph in The Snap-on Toyota, check out Cruz’s recent video here.

Cruz Pedregon–Sonoma Advance

NHRA® Team Report

NHRA Nationals – Sonoma, CA

Pre-Race Report

Cruz Pedregon is feeling momentum heading into Sonoma. “Our trip to the semi-finals last weekend demonstrates that things are coming together for the Snap-on Toyota. It’s really exciting for us to be in a Playoff spot, and we’re good with the plan we have for returning to sea level after Denver,” Cruz says. “I always look forward to being back in the state where I grew up and am excited about visiting the Oakland Raiders Team Camp Monday after this weekend’s race. We’d love it if some of those guys would come out to the track and watch the pros in our sport before heading out to the practice field. We have a lot of fun when the NHRA works with us to pay a visit to the Team Camp each year.” Cruz is such a dedicated Oakland fan, he plans to unveil a new Raiders helmet later this season in Indy.

Crew Chief Aaron Brooks says, “We had a little nose damage on the El Guapo body after hitting the sand, so fans will be seeing El Jefe in Sonoma. Everything is running well with the tune up, and we’re expecting great things for the fans at the track and those watching at home on FOX.”

On the side of Cruz’s car –

If you’ll check the side of Cruz’s car this week, you’ll see the name of Snap-on Nitro Franchisee Phil Agnew. Phil was in consumer finance before starting his Snap-on franchise, and he says the two businesses actually have more in common than you’d think. But, he says he likes running his own business, and that’s why Snap-on is a good fit for him. Phil and Cruz have done a “Grill & Chill” event together with his customers, and he says he’ll have some of them here with him at the race this weekend. When he’s not at the track or running his Snap-on franchise, Phil is spending time with his family or doing mountain, road or cyclocross cycling.