Tue, May 26, 08:41 AM Joe Gibbs Back in a Top Fueler

Courtesy of DMF Communications & McDonald's Racing

JOLIET, Ill. - After more than 30 years, Joe Gibbs will get back into the cockpit of a Top Fuel dragster. The former NFL coach will be in the driver's seat of the McDonald's 6,000 horsepower Top Fuel dragster when the team warms up the car prior to the first professional qualifying session at the inaugural NHRA Fram Route 66 Nationals at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill.

The event will take place Friday, May 29, 11:45 a.m., in the McDonald's pit area.

Gibbs, who owns the McDonald's NHRA team, was a teenage hot rodder while growing up in Southern California. He raced a Top Fuel car in the early 1960s. "I've always wanted to get back into a dragster ever since the engine in my car blew up and I didn't have the money to get it fixed," said Gibbs. "It's going to be a thrill to sit in the car while it's fired up. That's the next best thing to driving the car."

Supervising Gibbs will be Cory McClenathan, the McDonald's Top Fuel driver, who has won four races this season and is in first place in the Top Fuel point standings.