ABBOTTS LIVE LIFE IN PRESENT WITH MEMORIES OF PAST
Sat, 2009-07-11 09:01
During the 30th Annual Mopar Mile-High Nationals, there is a racing family competing in the Super
Comp division with a very historic past, a solid present and a promising future.
The past is represented by Division 5 Hall Of Fame member and 1981 US Nationals Top Fuel Champion, Johnny Abbott Sr. He is also a member of a very select group of Top Fuel Drivers who have won National event titles in the NHRA, IHRA and AHRA. His racing days are over, but now, his greatest joy comes from watching his children and grand children compete in the same sport he has always loved.
The present is the husband and wife team of Johnny Abbott, Jr. and Sondie from Elizabeth, Colo., have been competing in the 9.500-second index class for the better part of ten years.
Comp division with a very historic past, a solid present and a promising future.
The past is represented by Division 5 Hall Of Fame member and 1981 US Nationals Top Fuel Champion, Johnny Abbott Sr. He is also a member of a very select group of Top Fuel Drivers who have won National event titles in the NHRA, IHRA and AHRA. His racing days are over, but now, his greatest joy comes from watching his children and grand children compete in the same sport he has always loved.
The present is the husband and wife team of Johnny Abbott Jr. and Sondie from Elizabeth, Colo., have been competing in the 9.500-second index class for the better part of ten years.
Johnny Jr. began his drag racing career as a crew member on both his father's and Colorado legend, Junior Kaiser‘s Top Fuel Dragsters.
“When other twelve-year-olds were playing baseball, I was pulling oil pans and checking bearings as a bottom-end guy on a fuel car,” said Abbott Jr. “Working with Dad and Junior’s team was a real gas. It helped me catch the drag racing bug at a very early age.”
Abbott Jr. earned his competition license at 17 behind the wheel of a blown alcohol ‘23T Altered. His wife of 18-years, Sondie, earned her license driving her husband’s Super Comp dragster nearly a decade ago. Both drivers have reached several final rounds in NHRA Top Dragster and Super Comp competition.
“I get such a thrill watching Sondie and Johnny racing,” said Abbott, Sr., the 64-time National event finalist, before mentioning the future of the Abbott family. “And, seeing my grandson Chris follow his grandpa into the nitro categories this weekend is icing on the cake.”
Abbott Sr. is referring to Chris Abbott, who is debuting this weekend as the right-side cylinder head specialist for the Jack Beckman-driven DSR Valvoline MTS Dodge Charger Funny Car.
“I love the history Grandpa, my Uncle Johnny and Aunt Sondie have set for me to follow,” said Chris Abbott. “I love all types of drag racing, but Nitro is in my blood. It’s an honor to be on this great team and I look forward to building a solid future with DSR and the MTS/Valvoline team.”
Once
upon a time the Abbott Family focused on Top Fuel dragsters but a new
generation competes with a Super Comp entry. Johnny Abbott Sr., was
once a Top Fuel trailblazer in his Jet-X Dragster. (Dave Wallace Photo)
The past is represented by Division 5 Hall Of Fame member and 1981 US Nationals Top Fuel Champion, Johnny Abbott Sr. He is also a member of a very select group of Top Fuel Drivers who have won National event titles in the NHRA, IHRA and AHRA. His racing days are over, but now, his greatest joy comes from watching his children and grand children compete in the same sport he has always loved.
The present is the husband and wife team of Johnny Abbott, Jr. and Sondie from Elizabeth, Colo., have been competing in the 9.500-second index class for the better part of ten years.
During the 30th Annual Mopar Mile-High Nationals, there is a racing family competing in the Super
Once upon a time the Abbott Family focused on Top Fuel dragsters but a new generation competes with a Super Comp entry. Johnny Abbott Sr., was once a Top Fuel trailblazer in his Jet-X Dragster. (Dave Wallace Photo)
The past is represented by Division 5 Hall Of Fame member and 1981 US Nationals Top Fuel Champion, Johnny Abbott Sr. He is also a member of a very select group of Top Fuel Drivers who have won National event titles in the NHRA, IHRA and AHRA. His racing days are over, but now, his greatest joy comes from watching his children and grand children compete in the same sport he has always loved.
The present is the husband and wife team of Johnny Abbott Jr. and Sondie from Elizabeth, Colo., have been competing in the 9.500-second index class for the better part of ten years.
Johnny Jr. began his drag racing career as a crew member on both his father's and Colorado legend, Junior Kaiser‘s Top Fuel Dragsters.
“When other twelve-year-olds were playing baseball, I was pulling oil pans and checking bearings as a bottom-end guy on a fuel car,” said Abbott Jr. “Working with Dad and Junior’s team was a real gas. It helped me catch the drag racing bug at a very early age.”
Abbott Jr. earned his competition license at 17 behind the wheel of a blown alcohol ‘23T Altered. His wife of 18-years, Sondie, earned her license driving her husband’s Super Comp dragster nearly a decade ago. Both drivers have reached several final rounds in NHRA Top Dragster and Super Comp competition.
“I get such a thrill watching Sondie and Johnny racing,” said Abbott, Sr., the 64-time National event finalist, before mentioning the future of the Abbott family. “And, seeing my grandson Chris follow his grandpa into the nitro categories this weekend is icing on the cake.”
Abbott Sr. is referring to Chris Abbott, who is debuting this weekend as the right-side cylinder head specialist for the Jack Beckman-driven DSR Valvoline MTS Dodge Charger Funny Car.
“I love the history Grandpa, my Uncle Johnny and Aunt Sondie have set for me to follow,” said Chris Abbott. “I love all types of drag racing, but Nitro is in my blood. It’s an honor to be on this great team and I look forward to building a solid future with DSR and the MTS/Valvoline team.”
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