On June 9, 2011, the competition license of NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster racer Monroe Guest was revoked for one year following an incident in the first round of eliminations at the NHRA Supernationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, N.J.
The participation privileges of vehicle owner Todd Odom and crew chief Joe Monden were also revoked for one year.
Guest, Odom and Monden were each suspended because the team ran tires which, per the manufacturer, were not to be used. During a run, both rear tires failed resulting in a serious two-car incident with Brandon Greco.
Now, over 14 months later, Guest is returning to NHRA’s circuit when he competes in a Top Alcohol dragster this Friday and Saturday at the Thunder in the Heartland regional event in Topeka, Kan.
On June 9, 2011, the competition license of NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster racer Monroe Guest was revoked for one year following an incident in the first round of eliminations at the NHRA Supernationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, N.J.
The participation privileges of vehicle owner Todd Odom and crew chief Joe Monden were also revoked for one year.
Guest, Odom and Monden were each suspended because the team ran tires which, per the manufacturer, were not to be used. During a run, both rear tires failed resulting in a serious two-car incident with Brandon Greco.
Now, over 14 months later, Guest is returning to NHRA’s circuit when he competes in a Top Alcohol dragster this Friday and Saturday at the Thunder in the Heartland regional event in Topeka, Kan.
“I’m going to be driving for Brad McWilliams, and the crew chief is going to be Steve Boggs,” Guest said in a private interview onThursday. “I’m so excited I can’t even sleep at night.”
Guest, 48, said he is planning to drive McWilliams’ Top Alcohol dragster in three races this year at Topeka, Noble, Okla. (Sept. 13-16) and NHRA’s national event at Dallas (Sept. 20-23).
Guest has not competed in an NHRA-sanctioned race since his accident with Greco on June 4, 2011. Guest said he has made around 10 test laps in McWilliams’ Top Alcohol dragster, three coming Monday in Tulsa.
“This is like home to me,” Guest said. “I’m getting back into a car that I love to drive and I’m comfortable driving. I can’t wait to get going.”
Guest also doesn’t have any issues with NHRA.
Guest and McWilliams have been longtime friends. Guest is from Tulsa, Okla., and McWilliams resides in Owasso, a suburb of Tulsa.
Guest said he and McWilliams are hoping to put together a 10-race Top Alcohol dragster race schedule for 2013.
“At this point and time, we are working on securing sponsorship for 2013,” Guest said.
Since his suspension, Guest has competed in the American Drag Racing League driving a Pro Nitrous car for Keith Haney.
Guest said he will next drive on the ADRL circuit at Memphis, Tenn., Sept. 7-8.
“Right now our goal is to run all 10 races again in the ADRL in 2013,” Guest said. “I’m thinking Keith will run Pro Nitrous and I’m probably going to run Pro Extreme (in 2013). The ADRL cars are basically animals and you just have to manhandle them down the track.”
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