Pedregon's Debut Father's 'Fiat Coupe' This Weekend

NHRA 2005 NOTES & QUOTES
45th Annual Winternationals Pomona Raceway,
Pedregon Racing, Pomona, California
NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series
 
Cruz and Tony Pedregon Recreate Fatheršs Memory
Remake of łFlaming Frank˛ Car First Appearance at Pomona

POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 12, 2005)  ŒFlamingš Frank would be proud.  His sons,
NHRA Nitro Funny Car driversš Cruz and Tony Pedregon, used the same hard
work and determination they were instilled with as children to help recreate
his dream  - the legendary front engine ŒFiat Coupe.š

Today that dream became a reality, as Pomona Raceway, site of so many
memorable moments and this weekendšs season-opening NHRA Winternationals,
also played host to the first public viewing of this spectacular piece of
drag racing history. The Coupe will also be making a ceremonial appearance
before the main grandstands prior to the final round of eliminations
tomorrow.

Memories, dreams and admiration drove Cruz and Tony to honor the
achievements of their innovative fatheršs front engine 1960s ŒFiat Coupeš
dragster. A vision that might have come out of nowhere, as Father Frank
spent most of his formative years in El Paso, Texas, during the early 1950s,
where competitive drag racing had yet reached any height of popularity.  Yet
Frank was still able to build one of the most memorable cars of drag racing
history once he moved to Southern California. With its unmistaken fiery
flames, it quickly became a fan favorite across the Southern half of
California.

łHe built the car himself with his own hands because he couldnšt afford to
buy it, he built it start to finish. That is why it is even more personal
and sentimental to us; it was his vision and he made it a reality, ł said
Cruz, driver of the Advance Auto Parts Monte Carlo Nitro Funny Car. łMy
first memories of the car were my father working at the garage and going to
the races and that was such a thrill for us. Wešd get excited and jump up
and down; that was what we knew. We thought everybodyšs dad raced and had a
car that made all that noise.˛

ŒFlamingš Frank retired from racing at the end of 1968. At the time, Cruz
was just five and Tony was four,  łI donšt remember much of the Coupe except
when it was retired because it sat in the back of our house in Chino
(Calif.) and chickens lived in it. Thatšs why we called it the ŒChicken
Coupe,˛ commented Tony, the 2003 NHRA POWERade World Champion and pilot of
the Q Racing Monte Carlo Nitro Funny Car.


More than three decades later, drag racing fans from then and now will be
able to enjoy ŒFlamingš Frank PedregonŒs car thanks to his childrenšs
determination and a team effort. The brothers brought together Pat Foster of
Foster Slingshots and renowned engine builder, crew chief and driver Dale
Amstrong, łone of the best engine builders and drivers of all time,˛ said
Tony. 

łWe were unfortunately not able to race with our dad so there is so much
meaning to this car, it is very special and a tribute car to my dad because
Cruz and I enjoyed working together.  Add to that my dadšs good friends Dale
and Pat. It was a long process and we didnšt always see eye to eye. But we
had different creative ideas and can now step back and look at the end
result, which is something we all can be very proud of,˛ explained Tony.

Itšs a very special moment for the Pedregon family.

łI am as excited as I can be about bringing the car out to the track and I
am even more amazed that so many people feel the same way. Therešs a lot of
history at (Pomona Raceway) and in this market. If you are from this area,
you feel this is where it all started and this is the place to unveil the
car,˛ said Tony. 

łWešd like for the younger generations and several other generations to
appreciate this car because it is so unique,˛ concluded Cruz.