LAGANA GETS NEW DRIVING GIG
Mon, 2007-12-17 10:22
Veteran Top Fuel pilot will drive Evan Knoll’s Knoll’s Seelye Wright dragster in 2008
If there’s one thing that Evan Knoll and veteran independent Top Fuel driver Bobby Lagana, Jr. have in common, it’s a passion for drag racing.
The Michigan-based Knoll has sponsored through his Knoll Gas and Torco Race Fuels entities, a number of drag racing teams and drivers over the years, many of these sponsorships keeping their racing dreams alive.
Lagana was one of those teams that raced with more passion than operating funds. A few years ago, Knoll provided that much needed influx of cash to maintain this popular underdog running strong.
Knoll made note of this dedication and when the position of driving his personal Top Fuel dragster became available, it became a no-brainer that Lagana would be a fitting candidate to replace the newly departed Scotty Cannon. Veteran Top Fuel pilot will drive Evan Knoll’s Knoll’s Seelye Wright dragster in 2008
If there’s one thing that Evan Knoll and veteran independent Top Fuel driver Bobby Lagana, Jr. have in common, it’s a passion for drag racing.
Lagana was one of those teams that raced with more passion than operating funds. A few years ago, Knoll provided that much needed influx of cash to maintain this popular underdog running strong.
Knoll made note of this dedication and when the position of driving his personal Top Fuel dragster became available, it became a no-brainer that Lagana would be a fitting candidate to replace the newly departed Scotty Cannon.
“I have been racing for a long time and I have seen a lot of crazy things and met plenty of interesting people,” Knoll said. “There is something special about a guy who wants to race so badly he will carry his dragster on an open bed ramp truck. And he not only would race against the heavily-sponsored teams, sometimes he would beat them. I am so excited for 2008, not just because we have assembled a strong team but because we have assembled a group of racers who love Top Fuel cars for the sheer power and history that comes along with them. My goals for 2008 are to keep spreading the Seelye Wright, Torco Racing Fuels and Knoll Gas named throughout the country and brings smiles to the faces of people who need them. Look for big things from these teams on and off the track!”
Lagana is equally excited.
“An opportunity for some history making runs and a season of non-stop excitement…that is exactly what 2008 has in store for this group of racers, the sponsors, IHRA and, most importantly, the fans,” Lagana said. “I am just so excited, nervous, happy and eager to start the 2008 season. I want to Evan to enjoy every moment of this incredible situation. I am a little upset at not having the opportunity to avenge the 0-4 record our team amassed against Scotty Cannon last year, but on the other hand we are all going to be working together. A father-son, brother-brother team. Wow. Evan’s excitement and competitive nature is very contagious. I’m so excited to try to make our live-long dreams merge with Evan’s dreams as well.”
One needs not look far for Lagana’s drag racing inspiration. He credits his father Bobby Lagana, Sr., for instilling his core values. Lagana followed in the footsteps of his father by approaching his racing career with a “whatever it takes” attitude. He has always signed every autograph, made every effort to connect with the fans while, at the same time, enjoying a measure of success on the track.
Lagana’s departure from the family team opens a new opportunity within the family. Lagana’s newly-licensed younger brother Dominick will fill that vacancy.
“I am very happy,” Dominick said. “I am really looking forward to racing with my brother and appreciate the opportunity Evan and everyone who supports this car is giving me. I hope everyone knows how amazing this is. I’m speechless.”
The brothers tested in Gainesville last week and carded some very respectable results. Bobby posted three career-best times in a row, running a 4.63, 4.62 and finishing with a 4.59. Dominick also topped his career best twice, ultimately running a 4.85. Bobby pointed out his brother may not have as many laps as he does physically down the quarter-mile, but has just as many mentally.
“I really believe with this complete team backing each other we will see Dom rise quickly from rookie to a threat, to all teams…even the Seelye Wright Car,” Bobby said. “There are certain tricks to grooming a driver and, believe me, for the last four years we have exercised every one of those with Dom. I think this late-season testing has only made the Nitro bug even bigger for this whole team and we have plans for some more early-season testing, even some NHRA races before San Antonio.
“We just want to make sure all our ducks are in a row because IHRA Top Fuel is going to be very competitive next year and we want to be ready for it. I just want to reiterate one point, yes we want to make a run at the coveted IHRA Top Fuel championship, but most important I want Evan and everybody that will help make this train roll say when they leave our pit, ‘That was a whole lotta fun.”
If there’s one thing that Evan Knoll and veteran independent Top Fuel driver Bobby Lagana, Jr. have in common, it’s a passion for drag racing.
The Michigan-based Knoll has sponsored through his Knoll Gas and Torco Race Fuels entities, a number of drag racing teams and drivers over the years, many of these sponsorships keeping their racing dreams alive.
Lagana was one of those teams that raced with more passion than operating funds. A few years ago, Knoll provided that much needed influx of cash to maintain this popular underdog running strong.
Knoll made note of this dedication and when the position of driving his personal Top Fuel dragster became available, it became a no-brainer that Lagana would be a fitting candidate to replace the newly departed Scotty Cannon. Veteran Top Fuel pilot will drive Evan Knoll’s Knoll’s Seelye Wright dragster in 2008
If there’s one thing that Evan Knoll and veteran independent Top Fuel driver Bobby Lagana, Jr. have in common, it’s a passion for drag racing.
Lagana was one of those teams that raced with more passion than operating funds. A few years ago, Knoll provided that much needed influx of cash to maintain this popular underdog running strong.
Knoll made note of this dedication and when the position of driving his personal Top Fuel dragster became available, it became a no-brainer that Lagana would be a fitting candidate to replace the newly departed Scotty Cannon.
“I have been racing for a long time and I have seen a lot of crazy things and met plenty of interesting people,” Knoll said. “There is something special about a guy who wants to race so badly he will carry his dragster on an open bed ramp truck. And he not only would race against the heavily-sponsored teams, sometimes he would beat them. I am so excited for 2008, not just because we have assembled a strong team but because we have assembled a group of racers who love Top Fuel cars for the sheer power and history that comes along with them. My goals for 2008 are to keep spreading the Seelye Wright, Torco Racing Fuels and Knoll Gas named throughout the country and brings smiles to the faces of people who need them. Look for big things from these teams on and off the track!”
Lagana is equally excited.
“An opportunity for some history making runs and a season of non-stop excitement…that is exactly what 2008 has in store for this group of racers, the sponsors, IHRA and, most importantly, the fans,” Lagana said. “I am just so excited, nervous, happy and eager to start the 2008 season. I want to Evan to enjoy every moment of this incredible situation. I am a little upset at not having the opportunity to avenge the 0-4 record our team amassed against Scotty Cannon last year, but on the other hand we are all going to be working together. A father-son, brother-brother team. Wow. Evan’s excitement and competitive nature is very contagious. I’m so excited to try to make our live-long dreams merge with Evan’s dreams as well.”
One needs not look far for Lagana’s drag racing inspiration. He credits his father Bobby Lagana, Sr., for instilling his core values. Lagana followed in the footsteps of his father by approaching his racing career with a “whatever it takes” attitude. He has always signed every autograph, made every effort to connect with the fans while, at the same time, enjoying a measure of success on the track.
Lagana’s departure from the family team opens a new opportunity within the family. Lagana’s newly-licensed younger brother Dominick will fill that vacancy.
“I am very happy,” Dominick said. “I am really looking forward to racing with my brother and appreciate the opportunity Evan and everyone who supports this car is giving me. I hope everyone knows how amazing this is. I’m speechless.”
The brothers tested in Gainesville last week and carded some very respectable results. Bobby posted three career-best times in a row, running a 4.63, 4.62 and finishing with a 4.59. Dominick also topped his career best twice, ultimately running a 4.85. Bobby pointed out his brother may not have as many laps as he does physically down the quarter-mile, but has just as many mentally.
“I really believe with this complete team backing each other we will see Dom rise quickly from rookie to a threat, to all teams…even the Seelye Wright Car,” Bobby said. “There are certain tricks to grooming a driver and, believe me, for the last four years we have exercised every one of those with Dom. I think this late-season testing has only made the Nitro bug even bigger for this whole team and we have plans for some more early-season testing, even some NHRA races before San Antonio.
“We just want to make sure all our ducks are in a row because IHRA Top Fuel is going to be very competitive next year and we want to be ready for it. I just want to reiterate one point, yes we want to make a run at the coveted IHRA Top Fuel championship, but most important I want Evan and everybody that will help make this train roll say when they leave our pit, ‘That was a whole lotta fun.”
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