Pro Stock veteran scores monumental victory in Maryland

Frank Gugliotta had won eight IHRA Pro Stock titles in his career and though he’s grateful for the triumphs, he’s had an empty feeling of sorts. He’d never won at his home track.

Gugliotta will never experience that feeling again as he and the Bob Yoak team scored a convincing victory during the IHRA Torco President’s Cup Nationals hosted by Maryland International Raceway in Budds Creek, Md.

Gugliotta of Mr. Airy, Md., also scored his first victory for Yoak, the team owner who gave him his first taste of Pro Stock racing earlier in the decade.

 

 

 

 

Pro Stock veteran scores monumental victory in Maryland

Frank Gugliotta had won eight IHRA Pro Stock titles in his career and though he’s grateful for the triumphs, he’s had an empty feeling of sorts. He’d never won at his home track.

Gugliotta will never experience that feeling again as he and the Bob Yoak team scored a convincing victory during the IHRA Torco President’s Cup Nationals hosted by Maryland International Raceway in Budds Creek, Md.

Gugliotta of Mr. Airy, Md., also scored his first victory for Yoak, the team owner who gave him his first taste of Pro Stock racing earlier in the decade.

“A Pro Stock win had always eluded me at M.I.R,” Gugliotta said. “I had a runner-up once, but I just couldn’t seal the deal. I’m happy to win for Bob Yoak because he was the first guy to ever put me in a Pro Stock car.”

Yoak didn’t take a huge gamble on putting Gugliotta back in Pro Stock racing considering he’s a ten-time finalist and has finished in the top three of the championship battle for the last two of three seasons.

Gugliotta drives a car he competed against in 2007, as the Mustang GT he piloted to the winner’s circle was the last John Nobile drove in IHRA competition. Nobile has since moved over to the NHRA 500-inch ranks as did his 2007 team owner Rick Jones. The decision by Jones left Gugliotta searching for a ride.

Yoak became Gugliotta’s savior this season.

“I can’t even begin to tell you what he’s done for me,” Gugliotta said. “He stepped up at the end of the year after I lost my ride. He came in to give me a chance at the championship. For him to come back and give me that chance; he’s a really great guy and I can’t thank him enough.”

Gugliotta’s victory catapulted him into third place in the championship standings. He’d love nothing more than to present Yoak his third championship, but Gugliotta refuses to count points at this stage in the game.

“There’s a lot more of this season left to go,” Gugliotta added. “This class is always a tough battle down the wire to the end and this year is going to be no different.”

Yoak won two championships as a team owner with son Jon driving.