The Cummings name is synonymous with success in the sportsman categories of NHRA and IHRA. The
family team, which is backed by Moser Engineering and features drivers Britt, Slate, and Larry
Cummings along with Jody "Cool" Simoneaux has accounted event victories in no less than seven
sportsman categories. Brothers Britt and Slate Cummings have three IHRA World Championship trophies
on their respective mantles. The team has claimed over a dozen division championships, and
countless national and divisional event victories over the past two decades. With that being said,
it will come as a complete surprise to many that family patriarch Larry Cummings earned his first
national event title with a Super Stock victory in his Moser Engineering backed Cavalier at last
weekend's IHRA Northern Nationals in Martin, MI.
Cummings has built an impressive racing resume throughout his career that spans nearly four
decades. He has accumulated countless divisional victories, and a number of division championships.
He was a constant fixture in IHRA's national top ten throughout the 1990's. He was an original
member of the Budweiser sportsman "Super Team" in the 1980's, the first multi-car, sponsored
sportsman racing team. Yet, in all those years of successful competition, a national event title
had eluded him.
Cummings entered the Northern Nationals comfortable in his surroundings. His gorgeous Moser
Engineering backed SS/BM Cavalier was brand new to start the 2009 campaign. In addition to being
one of the fastest class cars on the grounds (Cummings qualified in the number 2 position with a
-1.157 8.543 elapsed time), Cummings entered the event with confidence, having claimed a victory at
the IHRA Division 4 event just weeks prior.
Once eliminations began, Cummings easily dispensed of Kyle Jelteman and Fred Bartoli in the opening
rounds on Saturday. He kicked off Sunday competition with a tight victory of Chuck Nagy. There,
Nagy's dead-on 10.206 was thwarted by Cummings' better .030 reaction time and 8.571 (8.54 dial).
Todd Mathias then lit the red light beside Cummings in the quarterfinal round, earning him not only
the round win, but a single into the final round alongside Lyn Lapperriere. It was then that
Cummings long wait for an elusive national event trophy came to an end, as Lapperriere lit the
red-light with a heartbreaking -.002 reaction time. Cummings, who left with a solid .024 start
cruised to the victory.
"This is an unbelievable feeling," stated Cummings. "I've always felt like I could win one of
these, but the cards never fell my way; and I was beginning to wonder if it would ever happen. The
win is incredible; everyone who races seriously should get to feel this at some point! And, what
makes this win even better is that it came here in Martin, the home of the Moser Axle Mania
Shootout. So Rob and Susan Moser, Kip Hayden, Tim Irwin, and entire Moser Engineering family was
here to be a part of it. Moser Engineering has been a huge part of our racing team for years. But,
as much as they're our marketing partner, they're our friends. And it means a lot to me to be able
to share this moment with them."
In addition to Moser Engineering, Cummings also credited a number of marketing partners for their
role in the teams continued success. Those partners include Reher & Morrison, River Parrish RV,
Meguiars, Trick Switch Panels, CSR Performance Products, B&M Performance, Borla, Brodix Cylinder
Heads, Mickey Thompson Tires, K&N, Holley Performance, Amalie Oil, Weld Wheels, Richmond Gear,
Altronics, Harwood, Nitroplate, Edelbrock, Mr. Gasket, Wegner Racing Engines, Biondo Racing
Products, Auto Meter, Mullis Race Cars, Simpson Safety Equipment, Sullivan Transmissions, The Race
Shop, H&F Performance, Folk Race Cars, and Milodon.
