Cruz Pedregon wants to make one point clear, regardless of whether he earns a berth in the NHRA Countdown to One playoffs, he's going to finish the season.

A rumor has taken fire that suggests the defending world champion plans to park his team if they don’t make the top ten.

“It’s simply not true,” Pedregon stated emphatically, commenting on the rumor. “There has never been anything said or insinuated that suggested we are going to park this car at any point in time other than the Finals of this year.

“If you think about it, what does the top ten have to do with my financial resources? It’s not like making the top ten is going to put all of this money on the table. Whoever made statements like that are uninformed, negative people.”

Pedregon Denies Rumors of Parking His Operation …

Cruz Pedregon wants to make one point clear, regardless of whether he earns a berth in the NHRA Countdown to One playoffs, he's going to finish the season.

A rumor has taken fire that suggests the defending world champion plans to park his team if they don’t make the top ten.

“It’s simply not true,” Pedregon stated emphatically, commenting on the rumor. “There has never been anything said or insinuated that suggested we are going to park this car at any point in time other than the Finals of this year.

“If you think about it, what does the top ten have to do with my financial resources? It’s not like making the top ten is going to put all of this money on the table. Whoever made statements like that are uninformed, negative people.”

As for a crew change, Pedregon wouldn't say what his plans are in that aspect but invoked his right as a team owner to make adjustments to his personnel as he sees fit.

“The whole economy is down from what it was three years ago, so why the big deal?” Pedregon asked. “I went from eight team members to seven … Other teams race with less people. I shrunk my team based on a business decision I was forced to make based on the economy. End of story.”

Pedregon declined to speak on his plans for next year except to say that he plans to compete. When asked about his contract and the length of the agreement, Pedregon pointed out, “That’s nobody’s business but my own.”

He confirmed that his level of associate backing is down from years past.

“Of course we're down slightly from years past, who isn't?” said Pedregon. “That’s not earth shattering news in this economy. I've lost some and I've gained some sponsors. That happens every season and this has been a challenging time as any car owner would tell you.

And, according to Pedregon, what he does in his spare time has no basis on what he does with his professional team, whether it’s racing dirt track or nostalgia cars.

“It’s my prerogative as an owner to have a hobby,” Pedregon said. “Some people have Harley's. Some have boats. Some people like to do other things. I happen to like racing. I've owned midgets for five or six years, it’s not like it’s something new. The nostalgia car, I'm building on a shoestring, using all of my old parts on the car. This is my fun and relaxation. For someone to insinuate that gets my race team money, just shows how ludicrous these statements are. I live modestly.”

Pedregon said he’s over the talk and ready to concentrate on racing and until those who are talking walk in his shoes and know all the facts, it’s time for the rumors to stop.
 

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