Donnie Faulkner, proprietor of the Rolling O Store on the Manufacturer’s Midway, says he’s ready for the challenge. He said he has inspiration and confidence on his side.

Reportedly, Faulkner has progressed into the latter stages with at least one major team who is interested in offering a 12-race gig. He’s declined to identify the team at this time.

“I didn’t really know I wanted to drive a Funny Car until my son died,” Faulkner said. “Then I figured if I was ever going to do I had better do it now that the opportunity presented itself. The availability of sponsorship and a ride is what is driving me.

“I know there will be a lot of naysayers and a lot of people will tell you a novice can’t do it. But look at Mike Neff. He’s going into one of the best rides out there. He never drove a car.

The pathway to Funny Car has become colorful lately. If you thought going from crew chief to driver was an interesting route, try sunglass salesman to flopper pilot.

Donnie Faulkner, proprietor of the Rolling O Store on the Manufacturer’s Midway, says he’s ready for the challenge. He said he has inspiration and confidence on his side.

Reportedly, Faulkner has progressed into the latter stages with at least one major team who is interested in offering a 12-race gig. He’s declined to identify the team at this time.

“I didn’t really know I wanted to drive a Funny Car until my son died,” Faulkner said. “Then I figured if I was ever going to do I had better do it now that the opportunity presented itself. The availability of sponsorship and a ride is what is driving me.

“I know there will be a lot of naysayers and a lot of people will tell you a novice can’t do it. But look at Mike Neff. He’s going into one of the best rides out there. He never drove a car.

“I’ve never failed at anything I’ve done in my life and I don’t intend to start. I told Jim [Jannard, Oakley founder] that it would be a great story if a guy who started out selling t-shirts for Scotty Cannon ended up driving a Funny Car.”

Faulkner said that Oakley liaison and TorchWear founder Paul LeSage will be instrumental in making this dream come true for him.

“People will doubt me in this,” Faulkner said. “You just have to have the confidence to make it work. I won’t be intimidated because it comes down to a confidence thing. I remember people telling me that I couldn’t make it with the Rolling O store.”

Faulkner is already psyching himself for the challenge.

“I have to treat driving a Funny Car like I do selling sunglasses. I have to do the best I can every day. The opportunity is there so I have to grab the bull by the horns and make it work. I’m going to make it happen and remember you read it here.”

Faulkner said he’s prepared for the long haul associated with preparing for the challenge. He’s already scheduled a Super Comp driving school session with the Cummings Brothers out of Louisiana as a precursor to a Paul Smith Drag Racing School visit.

Faulkner said a few starting line launches are scheduled after the national event in Richmond.

With a crew chief headed into a driver’s role for 2008, does Faulkner’s ascension from sunglass peddler to flopper pilot make him a candidate for the role of drag racing’s “Waterboy” portrayed by Adam Sandler? In that movie, a seeming unlikely water boy made the transition to linebacker on a college football team.

“Let me make a few passes and then I’ll answer the question,” Faulkner said.