While a win at even one NHRA national event is considered a significant
achievement by the competitors who race on the 24-event POWERade tour, a victory
for Team Chevy's Tom Hammonds at next weekend's 39th annual ACDelco
Gatornationals would mark a noteworthy accomplishment and season turning point
for the former NBA power forward now turned Pro Stock driver. A Florida native
who calls Crestview home, the 40-year-old Hammonds fully understands the
heritage and tradition of competing at Gainesville Raceway and what it would
mean to take home an event trophy from the Gatornationals.
"The ACDelco
Gatornationals are a huge deal for me," Hammonds said. "Other than the U.S.
Nationals, it's one of our biggest races. It's the first race on the East Coast,
and just looking at the entry list for Pro Stock, there are 34 cars already
pre-registered, which gives you an indication of just how big this event is. Not
only in that aspect, but it's pretty close to my hometown.
"To have a
'Wally' from the Gatornationals, an event that's practically in my backyard,
would be tremendous. There's so much prestige and history at Gainesville and
it's always one of the fastest races of the year. As a racer, that's what we
want to do, we want to go fast, and next week in Gainesville, you'd better hold
on."
