NHRA: Hammonds Learns, Edwards Earns at U.S. Nationals
5 September 1999
MIKE EDWARDS, DEWCO SALES CAMARO Z28, was today presented, via Team Winston assistant team manager Gus Gudmunson, a "Governor's Commendation" from Frank Keating, the Governor of the State of Oklahoma, for his promotion of the tornado relief fund on his Dewco Sales Camaro. On May 3, 79 tornadoes wreaked havoc in Oklahoma, home to both Edwards (Tulsa) and Gudmunson (Oklahoma City). Mike and his wife Lisa carried an 800 number on the Camaro at three races, beginning with the Atlanta event. The response from the media coverage and the fans was remarkable. Gudmunson brought it to the attention of the Governor's office, and the commendation was issued. The tornadoes missed most of the Tulsa area, but there was severe damage in the Oklahoma City area. GUDMUNSON: "The tornadoes occurred about a mile from my home. I had to have a new roof put on, but it was because of the hail, not the wind. We were scared to death, but untouched. I felt Mike and Lisa deserved credit for the work they did to help the relief fund, so I approached the Governor's office, and they were extremely agreeable and grateful." EDWARDS: "I was surprised (to receive the commendation). We didn't do it for any kind of reward or anything like that; we did it because we had seen all the devastation first hand. People's lives were destroyed, their homes, their valuables were all lost. We live in Oklahoma, I'm an Oklahoman, Gus is an Oklahoman. You don't think it can happen to you, but it can happen to you. It wasn't any big deal, it didn't cost us anything to put it on the Camaro. There was a big response to it. People came over and gave us money, we put it in the trailer and Lisa sent it to the relief fund when she got back home. It wasn't much, but I thought it was the least we could do." TOM HAMMONDS HAS "TRAINING" SESSION IN PITS, AND THERE'S NO BASKETBALL IN SIGHT TOM HAMMONDS, WINNEBAGO/MATCO TOOLS/KENDALL OIL CAMARO Z28, hired mechanical consultant Kevin Horst to help in the setup of the Camaro. Kevin conducted a training session with Tom, as the power forward for the Minnesota Timberwolves jammed his 6'9" frame into the interior of the car for 40 minutes as he made adjustments to the clutch. HORST: "I came up here Tuesday and Wednesday of last week with Tom to test here. I guess basically it's a training session we're doing here. If I'm going to make a decision I want to try to help him understand why I made the decision. It helps with the learning curve, for the most part. Basically we're working with the clutch. We changed the 4-link (suspension), we changed gear ratios, and other stuff between sessions. I was just sharing information I already knew, I guess. We're gradually sneaking up on it. He wanted to do it, make the adjustments. I wanted his crew guy Mike Matthews to do it. I have my hands full enough this weekend. If he qualifies and goes rounds I can't be putting clutches in. I'm running from here over to John Lingenfelter's (Chevy S-10 Pro Stock Truck) and then going over to Greg Anderson's (Pro Stock Oldsmobile). Mike will get his chance before the weekend is over." HAMMONDS: "I'm a hands-on person. I'm not an owner who likes to fly in an hour before the run and get in the car and drive it, then go into the lounge and kick up your feet. I like to really know what's going on, what makes the car go fast. Kevin has been around for a number of years and has been with some of the top teams in the pits. He's just a natural to learn from. I'd rather know how to do everything than delegate work to the guys who are with me. That way if there's some kind of probem I always know how everything works." WHAT DID YOU LEARN? "I always knew how to put the clutch in the car, engine maintenance I take care of pretty much myself anyway, but the logistics of what makes the clutch work, how to make it work better, to just observe track conditions and track temperatures, they're very important. I appreciate him staying around and be willing to teach me these kind of things because there are not a whole lot of people you can trust or can count on, I don't think." HOW LONG WERE YOU WEDGED IN THE COCKPIT? "I was wedged in there about 35-40 minutes. Actually, it wasn't bad, it is not the most comfortable seat I ever had. But I know that when I go to the starting line I know what's in the clutch, I know because I set it up. This is the first time I've done this. I have always put the clutch in the car before, but to go from step 1 to step 10 is new to me. I appreciate Kevin for having the patience to show me the right way to do it." WERE YOU UNCOMFORTABLE? "I had a couple of cramps once I got out, but it was well worth it. I had to readjust my position every five minutes, but it worked out all right." # # #
Editors Note: For hundreds of hot racing photos and racing art, be sure to visit
The Racing ImageGalleries and the
Visions of Speed Art Gallery.