NHRA Extra: Krisher $teps Up to Win in Pro Stock
14 March 2000
Posted By Terry
Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
Eagle One Pontiac Firebird owner-driver Ron Krisher has decided now
is
the time to try to win in the NHRA Winston Pro Stock class. He made
several
dramatic moves during the off-season, including purchasing his own
engine-building company, and hiring Mike Edwards -- seventh in Pro Stock
driver points with two victories in 1999 -- as crew chief. After a
spectacular flip to open the season at Pomona, Krisher came back three
weeks later at Firebird Raceway with a new car, and made the semifinals
for
the first time. The Warren, Ohio businessman is back in action this
weekend
at Gainesville."I'm not getting any younger," explained Krisher, who turned 52 on March 11. "Your reaction time starts to slow down and everything's a little different. I came over here to be competitive, to at least finish in the top 10, and win some races. I decided I've only got a couple of years left -- two-three years, at the most -- that I can possibly do that. I felt I had to get control of the motor program and already I can see what that's worth. We've made tremendous strides over the old program because we're putting money into it and changing things. Every motor that comes out of that shop is better than the last one. We spend whatever money it takes until it is.
"There's only a certain time in your life when you're going to be competitive doing this. I decided I'm going to make the commitment. When I'm done with this, I'll have a motor program where I can lease or sell motors and have the respect of the people.
"You don't have to tell anybody when you're going faster. They all know it and worry about you. I like going up to the starting line the first round or second round and having the other guy know I can beat him. That's a really good feeling. Just to go out and kick somebody's butt and come back and know you did it. All this work and effort paid off!"
Text provided by Michael A. Knight
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