NHRA Funny Car driver Dean Skuza is once again capitalizing on his love for music by
debuting a special paint scheme with international recording star Meat Loaf. Action
Collectibles is producing a 1/24 scale die-cast collectible of the Couldn't Have Said It
Better race car, promoting the upcoming release of Meat Loaf's new album and the North
American leg of his world tour.
Rendering of the Meat Loaf Skuza car.
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Skuza, coming off increased success on the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing tour and a semi-final
appearance this weekend at the Mile High Nationals in Denver, will run the Meat Loaf car
in Sonoma, California, at Infineon Raceway's NHRA Fram Autolite Nationals, August 1-3. The
car is one in a series that fans are calling "Skuza-palooza," as the 36-year-old drag
racer from Cleveland, Ohio, in conjunction with Knockout Talent Inc., ran three races
earlier this year with a sponsorship from Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wilde and his band,
Black Label Society.
"I think my mom is more excited that anyone." said Skuza, "She's a huge fan and had Bat
Out of Hell on her Marantz hi-fi before they ever played it on the radio. I vividly
remember her going to Peaches Records in Cleveland to buy it." Skuza must have a good
memory, since he was only 11 years old at the time of the album's 1977 release!
Skuza and Meat Loaf came together last November for this partnership. "We met him last
year on a short tour that came through Cleveland. He's a really cool guy--we talked about
sports, music, racing--you name it. He's a very bright man and the theatrical emphasis
that he brings to his rock and roll show is something that few other performers can
provide. His fame is far reaching and could help to bring us the attention that it takes
to land a major sponsorship for 2004."
Born Marvin Lee Aday in Dallas, Texas, Meat Loaf first gained widespread attention as
Eddie, the brain-dead zombie in "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." The aforementioned rock
album Bat Out of Hell was one of the biggest selling albums of all time, selling over 30
million copies. In 1993 Meat Loaf again collaborated with partner Jim Steinman and
released Bat Out of Hell 2: Back into Hell, with the single, "I'd Do Anything For Love
(But I Won't Do That)" that introduced "Meat" to a whole new generation. Since, he has
played a number of quirky, emotional roles in movies such as Fight Club, Crazy in Alabama
and Formula 51. Meat Loaf has toured the world many times over and sold over 60 million
albums worldwide.
Meat Loaf's new studio album is making its way to North America after great success in
Europe, where it is approaching Platinum sales. Couldn't Have Said it Better marks a
triumphant return for Meat Loaf who has once again proven that he can hold his own in a
musical world dominated by younger Pop/Hip-Hop artists. Meat Loaf will crisscross the
globe playing amphitheatres, festivals, and arenas supporting the new album, his eighth
studio album in 25 years.
The famed artist will make a special visit to the NHRA Fram Autolite Nationals at Infineon
Raceway on Sunday, August 3, in Dean Skuza's pit at 10:00 am.
