Wed, 26 Nov 2003, 12:59 AM Tony Pedregon is Doing What???

By Bob Frey Photo by:Auto Imagery, Inc.

Tony Pedregon

Even though the official announcement isn’t going to take place until December 4^th at the PRI show in Indianapolis, everyone knows that Tony Pedregon is about to join his brother Cruz in a two-car team that will go after the POWERade championship in 2004. Oh, that’s right, Tony already is the champ so he will begin defense of that title in 2004. Their two car team will be a little different from all of the other multi-car teams in that each one will have different sponsors, their own identity and they’ll operate as a separate unit. At this particular point of the season the one question that is asked more than “who will drive for John Force next year?’ is the question, “why would Tony leave the best job in the business to join his brother?” Well, having no real insight into what made Tony leave, let me give you a couple of possibilities, and remember, these are my thoughts, not Tony’s. First of all, there is a certain amount of pride in knowing that you have accomplished something on your own. True, Tony is the champion, but I’ve got to believe that in the back of his mind (and in a lot of other minds, too), he won the championship because he was part of the John Force team and not because he is one of the best drivers in the sport. And why do I say that Tony is one of the best drivers in the sport? Well,  did you know that in the past year Tony was first off the starting line in 64% of his races that involved green light starts? That means that in about two out of every three rounds he beat his opponent off the line and I think that makes you one of the best. In 2004 he was 8-0 in final rounds, but did you know that he is 14-2 in final rounds over the past two years? Now that’s a money driver for you and I think that makes him one of the best. He’s won 65% of his rounds in his career and I think that makes him one of the best, and before you go saying that he did that because he had a good car, remember, a lot of guys have had good cars over the years and didn’t run up the kind of record that Tony did.

John Force

In addition to the possible attitude that he won because he was part of the Force team, maybe Tony also thinks that no matter what he does he will always be the number two guy in the Force camp, championship or not. When you’re working with someone who has the dominant personality that John does maybe Tony’s right, maybe he will always be number two. Not that John intentionally would do that to Tony or anyone on his team but it’s just the nature of the beast. John sucks a lot of oxygen out of the room, and I don’t mean that in a negative way, just as a point of fact. Everyone in the green and white pit area takes a step back when John walks in and that’s the way it will always be. So maybe Tony thought it would be nice to be out of John’s shadow and do things, right or wrong, his way. You may not agree with it but then you’re not Tony Pedregon. Then again, maybe Tony thinks that he can build a lot of equity for his own future by owning his team, by making the decisions, the investments, the sponsor deals his way. I know that most folks think that he is making a mistake and maybe he is, but then we’re not Tony are we? Tony Pedregon is a bright, articulate young man who has a lot to offer a sponsor and I, for one, applaud his decision. First of all it means that there will be another top quality team out there in the Funny Car field, and it means that another good sponsor will be involved in NHRA drag racing and that’s a good thing, too. I wish Tony nothing but the best and I know that John does the same, in fact, he’s said so on more than one occasion, and for those who are second guessing him, well, only time will tell if he made the right choice. But one thing we do know, Tony made it and he’ll have to live with it, so let’s support him and get on to the next big piece of business at hand, and that is, just who will drive for John next year?

Gary Densham

The list of potential candidates for the John Force driving job certainly must be long and I believe that I may be the only person with a valid driver’s license who hasn’t actually applied for the job. Names most often mentioned (at least to me) include those of Eric Medlen, John Medlen’s son, Phil Burkart, driver of the Checker, Schuck’s & Kragen blue car for Del Worsham and Mike Dunn, currently with ESPN. While I have no real inside information, if I were to venture a guess I would say that none of the above will be in John’s camp next year, at least not as drivers. Eric would seem to be a good pick since John likes to promote from within, but I believe that he needs a little seasoning before being thrown into the mix, like a year or two on the test circuit. Phil seems to be the one who’s name keeps surfacing the most but I know that he’s very happy with the CSK team because he told me that and, from what I was told at the end of the season, everyone in that camp is very happy with him. Plus I can tell you positively that other than a few words here and there in Pomona, John and Phil haven’t had any serious discussions about the gig. As for Mike Dunn, he would be a pretty good pick since he has all the tools and credentials to do the job, but that TV gig isn’t too bad and it would be tough for Mike to leave, tough for both parties, believe me. And remember you heard it here first, Gary Densham will return and drive one of John’s cars next year. All of the above must be taken with a grain of salt because they are just my feelings but don’t be surprised if some of it comes to pass…And I still think that Melanie Troxel would be a great pick for John or any team for that matter, and I fully expect her to land in a TF car for next year, even though Don Prudhomme has said that he won’t add another car. Before the start of the ’04 season someone will add another car and she’ll drive it. Let’s see, Chicago’s not that far from Indy, is it? Hey, I’m just thinking out loud….And I wonder how much input Dick LaHaie had into the “Snake” not bringing that other dragster on board? Just a thought.

Jeg celebrates 5 day championship.

There are a couple of other things going on right now….look for a major “A” list crew chief to announce his new plans for 2004 within the next seven days and look for a POWERade top ten top fuel team to announce a new crew chief in that same time period, although the two stories don’t necessarily go together….Another top fuel team, one that went to at least one final round next year, may not return in 2004, while several Pro Stock teams will shuffle personnel around, especially with George Marnell announcing that he won’t be returning next year….Our best to Gary Scelzi and Bob Gilbertson who both have or are about to undergo surgery. Nothing major (easy for me to say) and they both should be as good as new by the time the new season rolls around, although I don’t believe that Gary will be able to play the piano in the future….Several folks are still speculating about Coors beer being on the new Pedregon team cars and I can tell you that won’t happen….Ron Krisher will return and Mike Elliott, one of the best all around crew guys in the business, will be working for a Pro Stock team that’s based in the northwest, which really narrows the field down in a hurry. At least that’s what I hear….A big congratulations to Jeg Coughlin for what he did at the Moroso 5 day race (he won it) and let’s not forget the job that David Connolly did along with David Rampy, those two also finished in the top five in points for the weekend, and when you can do that at that race, well, you’ve really done something. Have a great  holiday and watch for those announcements.