Division 7 Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Ron August Jr. will take the wheel of a Mitch King
Motorsports Top Fuel dragster in addition to driving his family-owned Top Alcohol Funny Car this
weekend during the NHRA Las Vegas Nationals to be held on 'The Strip' at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
in Las Vegas, Nev. Both entries will be sponsored by Lescure Company, a complete mechanical
services company based in Lafayette, Calif. This marks the first time August has driven both cars
in competition.
"I never thought I'd have the opportunity to drive in Top Fuel, never mind driving the fuel and
alcohol car at the same race," said the driver from Pleasanton, Calif., who won the spring 2006 Las
Vegas event in the Top Alcohol Funny Car class. "I'm very lucky to be doing this, and I appreciate
the support of Mike and Susan Lescure, my parents, and everyone involved with both teams. I'm
realistic enough not to say that we're going to take on [Tony] Schumacher or anything like that. My
goal is to have both cars racing on Sunday."
August enters the 2009 Las Vegas Nationals after making his NHRA Professional class debut at the
Mac Tools U.S. Nationals earlier this season. He missed qualifying by only one position. Driving
for car owner Mitch King, and teaming up with a second MKM rail driven by Del Cox Jr, August is
cautiously optimistic he can crack the tough 16-car qualified field.
"We have made tremendous strides since our debut at the US Nationals," noted August. "Our car ran
very well at our last race in the IHRA, where we advanced to the final round and I am getting the
hang of driving this rocket-ship. It's completely different than a TAFC that is for sure. This car
actually goes where you tell it to go but is a heck of a lot faster. I look forward to the
challenge this presents, but it sure will be fun."
Although the 45-year old Top Fuel rookie would be happy just to qualify in both categories, August
also knows he has a chance at repeating history at this event. If August were to capture the event
championship in both Top Fuel and in Top Alcohol Funny Car, it would be the first time this has
been done, since Pat Austin accomplished this task at the 1992 NHRA Phoenix national event. Austin
first accomplished this task at the 1991 NHRA Topeka National Event.
August will be busy on Friday as he hits the track with the TAFC for his first qualifying session
at 11:00 A.M. He will then strap into the Mitch King Motorsports Top Fuel Dragster at 1:30 P.M.
Both cars will have two attempts at the 'The Strip' in what should be exceptional racing
conditions.
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