Father and Son Champions Facing Likelihood of Year Without Racing …

Let the record reflect a stressed economy has no respect for past accomplishments.

If it did, then Scotty and Scott Cannon would be discussing with the media their excitement of chasing another Pro Modified world championship. Instead the seven time world champions, father with six, son with one, are lamenting the fact they’ll be on the sidelines watching a run for a championship start without them.

“In the past it seemed like we could get a deal at the last minute and could continue to race,” Scotty, the patriarch of the Cannon racing family said. “I don’t ever remember the economy being this bad in all of my years of drag racing.” Father and Son Champions Facing Likelihood of Year Without Racing …

Let the record reflect a stressed economy has no respect for past accomplishments.

If it did, then Scotty and Scott Cannon would be discussing with the media their excitement of chasing another Pro Modified world championship. Instead the seven time world champions, father with six, son with one, are lamenting the fact they’ll be on the sidelines watching a run for a championship start without them.

“In the past it seemed like we could get a deal at the last minute and could continue to race,” Scotty, the patriarch of the Cannon racing family said. “I don’t ever remember the economy being this bad in all of my years of drag racing.”

The elder Cannon would know. He’s persevered through the lean times to become one of the sport’s most revered Pro Modified competitors despite running with sponsorships early in his career well below what his market value should have been. The gaps in the budget were filled with a strenuous match race regimen.

Today those dates are just no longer available. Drag strips aren’t booking in as many match race dates as they once did. Without those dates, the resourceful Cannon has decided not to gamble on breaking even.

The break-even opportunity, he admits, is largely reserved for those teams who can actively chase after the points championship and do so with predominantly volunteer crews. Even that opportunity remains marginal at best.

“Years ago I had a lot of volunteer help and many of the tracks we raced were in the Carolinas and Tennessee,” Cannon added. “Now to be in the points hunt you pretty much have to commit to the whole season if you want to have a chance at the championship.”

The Cannons have entertained the thought of assisting teams and are prepared to separate as a common denominator if need be.

“We can both drive and can both tune,” adds Scott Jr. “We both know we may not end up on the same team and we can accept (that reality).”

Father and son are hoping something comes along that could keep them in racing and they’ll show up at the dragstrip, albeit without a race car, hoping opportunity presents itself.

“While I still have all of my equipment for an all out pursuit of the championship, I could just show up for a team with my computer and helmet,” Scotty added. “We are entertaining any and all possibilities. Hopefully 2008 won’t be the last year for Cannonball Racing.”