Sat, 14 Oct 2006, 02:39 PM Justin Grant Announces the re-creation of Don Schumacher's 1970's Stardust Nitro Funny Car

Courtesy of Justin Grant

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Nostalgia Fuel Funny Car owner Justin Grant, of Bloomington, Ind., will reproduce one of the most exciting and visually stunning Nostalgia Fuel Funny Cars of its time: the 1970's 'Cuda Stardust Nitro Funny Car.

The car, raced by Don Schumacher to an unequaled record in match races across the country - along with other cars he raced in the '70s that were dubbed "Stardust" - is a tribute to one of the biggest icons in the sport, says Grant. It will be driven by Joe Haas, of Findlay, Ill., in the Nostalgia Pro Comp Association (NPCA) and other nostalgia-racing events in 2007. NHRA Funny Car racer Dale Pulde is the technical advisor and "remote crew chief" on the car, according to Grant.

"This is very exciting for me," says Grant. "I have always admired Don Schumacher and what he has accomplished in our sport. Having the opportunity to pay tribute to one of the best-looking Fuel Funny Cars of all time is an honor, and this is a huge responsibility, and one I take very seriously."

The Tribute Stardust 'Cuda will make its debut in the spring of 2007 with help from DSR Racing, Valvoline, Brut, U.S. Army, DB Industries, and Lakewood Engineering.

"I am thrilled that Justin is re-creating the 'Cuda Stardust Nitro Funny Car," says Schumacher, "and to see the car that I drove back in the '70s come back to life and return to the quarter-mile almost exactly as it was back then. This nostalgia racing craze has certainly taken off, and I'm proud to see this great history of our sport embraced by so many."

Adds Grant: "We will match race this car as a standard. We have match raced the Chi-Town Hustler Tribute car, and various other Nostalgia Fuel Funny Cars this year. The fans have really enjoyed the recreation of the glory days of Fuel Funny Car Racing. In addition, we are currently second in points in the NCPA, 10 out of first with one race left in Bowling Green, Oct. 21-22.

"With the coming addition of the Stardust, we are excited about the opportunity to relive the glory days of Fuel match racing against the likes of Troy Martin's Chi-Town Hustler, the Blue Max, Les Turilli's Caveman, and various other quality Nostalgia Fuel Funny Cars."