Determined Ford Pro Stock player signs major sponsorship

One simply cannot miss Jim Cunningham because the quiet man from Maryland marches to the beat of a different drum. He’s running a Ford Pro Stocker in the GM and Dodge dominated world of NHRA Pro Stock.

Now they’ll have even more of a reason to remember him. Cunningham has signed CNC Software Inc. of Tolland, Ct. as a major manufacturing partner. The team will promote CNC Software’s signature program Mastercam as part of the agreement.

“CNC Software and Mastercam CAD/CAM software have been instrumental in our recent gains with our engine program,” explained Cunningham.  “When we started our in-house engine program, our first priority was to establish an engine shop that was capable of generating a competitive Pro Stock engine.  We realized that we needed to get ahead of the curve when it came to machining capabilities and in doing so; one of our first purchases was a 5-axis CNC machine.

Determined Ford Pro Stock player signs major sponsorship

One simply cannot miss Jim Cunningham because the quiet man from Maryland marches to the beat of a different drum. He’s running a Ford Pro Stocker in the GM and Dodge dominated world of NHRA Pro Stock.

Now they’ll have even more of a reason to remember him. Cunningham has signed CNC Software Inc. of Tolland, Ct. as a major manufacturing partner. The team will promote CNC Software’s signature program Mastercam as part of the agreement.

“CNC Software and Mastercam CAD/CAM software have been instrumental in our recent gains with our engine program,” explained Cunningham.  “When we started our in-house engine program, our first priority was to establish an engine shop that was capable of generating a competitive Pro Stock engine.  We realized that we needed to get ahead of the curve when it came to machining capabilities and in doing so; one of our first purchases was a 5-axis CNC machine.

“We chose this machine primarily for the inclusion of Mastercam CAD/CAM software.  Mastercam allows us to machine our cylinder heads from raw castings to a finished product right in our shop.  In addition, it allows us to design and produce parts and fixtures that would take weeks to procure and cost quite a bit of money.”

In a short time, the partnership has yielded dividends for the single representation the Ford Motor Company has in NHRA POWERade Pro Stock competition.

“The investment that we have in Mastercam programming has paid for itself in the first year of operation,” Cunningham added. “With Mastercam we can take a concept and then design, produce a toolpath, and machine the part in as little as a day, depending on the complexity.  This has proven to be one of our best decisions and we are absolutely ecstatic that Mastercam has decided to expand their relationship with us.”

This program provides a major boost to Cunningham, who first entered the NHRA Pro Stock wars back in 1999 with the first 2000 Mercury Cougar designed for professional drag racing. He embarked on an in-house engine program in 2005. Crew chief Tom Sweeney heads up the program.

For more information on Mastercam, visit their website at www.mastercam.com .