Bob Yoak’s friends wondered if he’d fallen and hit his head and this prompted his return to IHRA Pro Stock as a team owner. Yoak teamed with his son Jon during the 1990s to win two world championships.

Yoak has made a grand return with veteran driver Frank Gugliotta. Thus far in two IHRA events, the pair have been a threat to win.

“I haven't been doing it since 2002, and I got an opportunity to come back with Frank, and I couldn't be back with any better person to drive and tune and help,” Yoak said. “I guess that's one of the main reasons, plus I just kind of love to be out here.”

A little known factoid is this weekend’s return was not the first time Yoak and Gugliotta had teamed up. Six years ago they teamed up on a Pro Stock venture before Gugliotta was signed by Steve Thodos.

Bob Yoak’s friends wondered if he’d fallen and hit his head and this prompted his return to IHRA Pro Stock as a team owner. Yoak teamed with his son Jon during the 1990s to win two world championships.

Yoak has made a grand return with veteran driver Frank Gugliotta. Thus far in two IHRA events, the pair have been a threat to win.

“I haven't been doing it since 2002, and I got an opportunity to come back with Frank, and I couldn't be back with any better person to drive and tune and help,” Yoak said. “I guess that's one of the main reasons, plus I just kind of love to be out here.”

A little known factoid is this weekend’s return was not the first time Yoak and Gugliotta had teamed up. Six years ago they teamed up on a Pro Stock venture before Gugliotta was signed by Steve Thodos.

“I’d been sitting back and watching for about five years or so before I decided I really wanted to come back out here again,” Yoak added. “I guess I just couldn’t stay away from the track. If you're ever going to get out of this, you gotta stay away from the track. It's hard to quit when you keep hanging around.”

One could understand why he wouldn’t want to stay away considering the success he experienced with Jon. They won the titles in 1996 and in 2000.
 

“In 2001 he didn't want to it anymore so that's kind of where we were,” Yoak explained. “I really missed it so in 2002 so I bought an old car and at the time Frank had never raced before at this level.  He'd done a lot of Top Sportsman and Quick 8 stuff.  He and I raced maybe eight races that season and he attributes me as getting him started. Don’t know if we’ve determined that to be a good or bad thing yet.”

One might think Jon would resent someone else driving his father’s car.

“Didn’t bother him at all,” Yoak confirmed. “He’s happy and he made it clear that if I wanted to do that, he was happy with that. He’s a family man with two children and he looks over the dealership so I can come out here and do this. Jon has turned into a homebody and really enjoys his time at home. I can’t blame him.”

Yoak understands the rigors of drag racing and raced decades ago before bringing Jon up through the ranks. Did Yoak ever find himself living vicariously through his son?

“Maybe,” Yoak answered. “I always considered it an honor to race with my son. It was always something special. I see other fathers racing with their sons and I know how special it is.”