by Kelly Wade Fri, 2019-02-08 10:57
There is an unfamiliar face in Top Sportsman this weekend at the NHRA Winternationals, but the name is strikingly familiar. Fernando Cuadra Jr., son of Pro Stock driver Fernando Cuadra Sr., is entered and competing in the Sportsman door slammer category driving a 2008 Pontiac GXP formerly owned by Pro Stock champ Mike Edwards. The engines are Cuadra Racing’s own, tuned by Fernando Sr., and were purchased from the Gray Motorsports arsenal.
Fernando Jr. finished No. 2 in Mexico in 2018 in Pro Competition, a category that is the equivalent of NHRA’s Top Sportsman, and licensed in the American version of the category last year. It’s only the beginning, though, for the young driver. He plans to make his Pro Stock debut at the NHRA Virginia Nationals this season and race each event thereafter.
by Bobby Bennett; Photos by Dave Kommel Thu, 2019-02-07 21:02
The first day of qualifying for the 2019 season is in the book, with a familiar face as the quickest sportsman drag racer on the property.
Shawn Cowie, the 2018 NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster series runner-up, started off the new season the same way he did last year with a first-day, provisional No. 1. Cowie laid down an impressive 5.166, 280.25 mile per hour run.
by Bobby Bennett Tue, 2019-02-05 23:53
Rodger Brogdon might have a substantial investment in racing Pro Stock but hasn't forgotten his straight-line heritage. And, the successful business owner from Tomball, Texas, is all too willing to put his money where his fond memories are.
Brogdon is providing an influx of $150,000 to the NHRA Div. 4 Competition Eliminator program with the hope it will stimulate growth in a division near and dear to his heart.
"It’s always been my favorite class, and it’s still probably my favorite class even though I race Pro Stock," Brogdon said. "Just through the years, I didn’t like some of the rule changes. I don’t participate anymore but I love all the guys out there.