Nitro Funny Car racer Bob Gilbertson hasn't been on a drag strip in almost a year and he's really
looking forward to returning to racing at his home town track at this weekend's NHRA Carolinas
Nationals at the beautiful zMAX Dragway in near-by Concord, N.C.
Gilbertson made the decision to park his team at the beginning of the year so he could focus on his
business, Truck Equipment Manufacturing Company, to get it through the tough economic times but the
urge to race was still burning in Gilbertson's heart.
Earlier this summer Rinnai Tankless Water Heaters, who sponsored Gilbertson at the Inaugural
Carolina Nationals last year, inquired about doing it again for this years race and a deal was
signed that will allow Gilbertson to compete this weekend.
Gilbertson also signed veteran crew chief Paul Smith to tune the Rinnai Monte Carlo. Smith was
Gilbertson's crew chief in 2000 when they won the NHRA Houston race, Gilbertson's only NHRA
victory.
The team did some testing at zMAX last week with encouraging results and Gilbertson knows he's got
an uphill battle in front of him but he's optimistically confident about his chances.
"Its been a crazy year around here," Gilbertson said. "Even though we weren't out there racing we
kept busy working on a marketing plan for our new sponsor and putting the deal together to get
Smith on board. I'm very happy that it all came together and I just can't wait to get behind the
wheel again and it's also exciting to make my return at the nicest drag strip in the world that's
in my own back yard."
"Our goal is to qualify and go rounds," Gilbertson added. "It's going to be tough to even qualify
but with what we learned during testing last week Paul is confident we can get into the show.
TELEVISION SCHEDULE:
Saturday, Sept. 19 Qualifying 11:30 PM - 1:30 AM ET (ESPN2)
Sunday, Sept.20 Eliminations 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM ET (ESPN2)
