HOT ROD TV SHOW FEATURES PEDREGON BROTHERS
Wed, 2007-06-13 18:08
NHRA Nitro Top Fuel Funny Car stars and sons of the legendary drag racer from the 60’s era, Flamin’ Frank Pedregon, Cruz and Tony Pedregon will be featured in a Hot Rod TV episode entitled, “Pedregon” slated to air July 7th at 10:00 a.m. EST on Hot Rod TV, the longest running automotive show on television. It will be shown exclusively on ESPN2, the broadcast partner of the NHRA. Hot Rod TV follows Cruz, the pilot of the Advance Auto Parts NHRA Nitro Funny Car and his brother Tony, who drives the Q Power NHRA Nitro Funny Car.
NHRA Nitro Top Fuel Funny Car stars and sons of the legendary drag racer from the 60’s era, Flamin’ Frank Pedregon, Cruz and Tony Pedregon will be featured in a Hot Rod TV episode entitled, “Pedregon” slated to air July 7th at 10:00 a.m. EST on Hot Rod TV, the longest running automotive show on television. It will be shown exclusively on ESPN2, the broadcast partner of the NHRA. Hot Rod TV follows Cruz, the pilot of the Advance Auto Parts NHRA Nitro Funny Car and his brother Tony, who drives the Q Power NHRA Nitro Funny Car.
Driving a funny car at over 330 mph is just part of the story behind the Pedregons. “There is a real story behind my dad and how we got our start,” said Cruz Pedregon, the 1992 NHRA Nitro Funny Car World Champion. “Our road to where we are today, running multi-million dollar NHRA Nitro Funny Car Drag Racing operations from our 25,000 sq. ft. race shop in Brownsburg, Ind., is much different that most drivers that have made it to our position in the sport. You’ll have to tune into the show to get the full story.”
Cruz and Tony are at the top of NHRA Drag Racing ranks due to the strong influence of their late father. Flamin’ Frank, driver of the famous front engine, fiat top fueler coupe, was the accomplished craftsman, driver, and personality. Hot Rod TV revealed just how much of an inspiration he was to his sons.
“I don’t think he realized the kind of impact he had on the sport,” said Tony Pedregon, the 2003 NHRA Nitro Funny Car World Champion and pilot of the Q Power NHRA Nitro Funny Car. “I think he would be impressed with what this sport has become and how it has grown over the years. Our dad inspired us and taught us about making the right decisions and doing the right thing. It is amazing to think that 25 years later, Cruz and I are still participating in the sport that he loved so much. I think he would be proud of us.”
With their father’s inspiration as their guide, the Pedregons indeed made decisions that would make their dad proud. Each has a multi-million dollar NHRA race team they own and manage and each has a NHRA Nitro Funny Car World Championship under their belts.
“The inspiration that comes from our dad goes way beyond just driving the car,” stated Cruz. “Driving the car is a small part of what we do and how we achieved our success. The greatest lessons our dad taught us was to work hard, be good people, treat people fairly, and take care of each other.”
The Hot Rod TV crew received a rare opportunity to spend some time with the Pedregon Racing Team. "Cruz and Tony really laid out the red carpet for us,” said Hot Rod TV’s Producer and Co-Director, Dennis Zerull. "They allowed us the opportunity to come into their lives and share with us their personal stories. You will quickly learn why they love this sport so much. Hard work, science, grit, and dedication drive their teams towards excellence.”
The Pedregons are quick to credit Flamin’ Frank for their success. “He was known for assembling his motors from parts the other guys would throw away,” said Tony, reflecting on his early NHRA experiences. “Not only would he make it work, he’d go beat the competition with these motors, and then he’d help them in the pits.”
Cruz agrees and adds, “Much of our drive comes from our dad whose career was cut short due to the simple economics of raising a family. Tony and I tried to talk him back into racing and our real dream for us to be on his crew. When dad passed on, we felt there was some unfinished business for the Pedregon family out on the race track. We wanted to carry on in his memory.”
And that they did.
NHRA Nitro Top Fuel Funny Car stars and sons of the legendary drag racer from the 60’s era, Flamin’ Frank Pedregon, Cruz and Tony Pedregon will be featured in a Hot Rod TV episode entitled, “Pedregon” slated to air July 7th at 10:00 a.m. EST on Hot Rod TV, the longest running automotive show on television. It will be shown exclusively on ESPN2, the broadcast partner of the NHRA. Hot Rod TV follows Cruz, the pilot of the Advance Auto Parts NHRA Nitro Funny Car and his brother Tony, who drives the Q Power NHRA Nitro Funny Car.
Driving a funny car at over 330 mph is just part of the story behind the Pedregons. “There is a real story behind my dad and how we got our start,” said Cruz Pedregon, the 1992 NHRA Nitro Funny Car World Champion. “Our road to where we are today, running multi-million dollar NHRA Nitro Funny Car Drag Racing operations from our 25,000 sq. ft. race shop in Brownsburg, Ind., is much different that most drivers that have made it to our position in the sport. You’ll have to tune into the show to get the full story.”
Cruz and Tony are at the top of NHRA Drag Racing ranks due to the strong influence of their late father. Flamin’ Frank, driver of the famous front engine, fiat top fueler coupe, was the accomplished craftsman, driver, and personality. Hot Rod TV revealed just how much of an inspiration he was to his sons.
“I don’t think he realized the kind of impact he had on the sport,” said Tony Pedregon, the 2003 NHRA Nitro Funny Car World Champion and pilot of the Q Power NHRA Nitro Funny Car. “I think he would be impressed with what this sport has become and how it has grown over the years. Our dad inspired us and taught us about making the right decisions and doing the right thing. It is amazing to think that 25 years later, Cruz and I are still participating in the sport that he loved so much. I think he would be proud of us.”
With their father’s inspiration as their guide, the Pedregons indeed made decisions that would make their dad proud. Each has a multi-million dollar NHRA race team they own and manage and each has a NHRA Nitro Funny Car World Championship under their belts.
“The inspiration that comes from our dad goes way beyond just driving the car,” stated Cruz. “Driving the car is a small part of what we do and how we achieved our success. The greatest lessons our dad taught us was to work hard, be good people, treat people fairly, and take care of each other.”
The Hot Rod TV crew received a rare opportunity to spend some time with the Pedregon Racing Team. "Cruz and Tony really laid out the red carpet for us,” said Hot Rod TV’s Producer and Co-Director, Dennis Zerull. "They allowed us the opportunity to come into their lives and share with us their personal stories. You will quickly learn why they love this sport so much. Hard work, science, grit, and dedication drive their teams towards excellence.”
The Pedregons are quick to credit Flamin’ Frank for their success. “He was known for assembling his motors from parts the other guys would throw away,” said Tony, reflecting on his early NHRA experiences. “Not only would he make it work, he’d go beat the competition with these motors, and then he’d help them in the pits.”
Cruz agrees and adds, “Much of our drive comes from our dad whose career was cut short due to the simple economics of raising a family. Tony and I tried to talk him back into racing and our real dream for us to be on his crew. When dad passed on, we felt there was some unfinished business for the Pedregon family out on the race track. We wanted to carry on in his memory.”
And that they did.
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