Sat, 16 Dec 2000, 09:14 AM NHRA Title Contenders Set for PRO National Warmup in Tucson

Courtesy of Mike Lewis

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Professional Racers Owners Organization (PRO) has scheduled its annual pre-season testing event, the PRO National Warmup, January 19 - 21 at Southwestern International Raceway (SIR) in Tucson, Arizona. NHRA title contenders in Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock will utilize the event and the exceptional SIR quarter-mile to sort out new cars, drivers and personnel just two weeks before the NHRA season opener in Pomona, California.

The SIR pit area will be crowded with Funny Car teams including ten-time NHRA Winston champion John Force. Force and team mate Tony Pedregon will test their 2001 Castrol Mustangs on a track that yielded surprising 4.80 second and 310 MPH performances a year ago. Among those seeking to match Force's pace will be the two car Checker-Schuck's Kragen team of Del Worsham and Frank Pedregon and the new Mopar Dodge of Dean Skuza.

New driving partners Chuck Etchells and Jim Epler will be in Tucson with the Kendall/Matco Tools Camaro and the new Racing Champions/Ertl Camaro. The event will mark Etchells return to the NHRA title hunt for the first time since hiring Whit Bazemore as team driver for Etchells Racing two years ago. Bazemore left the Etchells stable to drive the Matco Tools Pontiac for Don Schumacher in 2001.

Top Fuel and Pro Stock teams will be in Tucson, too, with Mike Dunn and Mark Pawuk heading those respective lists. Joe Amato will have his new team at the PRO National Warmup with much anticipation surrounding the confirmation of Joe's new driver.

All NHRA Winston and Federal Mogul teams are invited to the PRO National Warmup. Testing is scheduled from 10 AM to 6 PM each day. SIR has expanded its grandstand seating following last year's standing-room-only crowd. For more information, contact PRO at 317-280-1320 or Southwestern International Raceway at 520-762-9700.