When you qualify fifth and the rain pours for two days, it provides the ultimate opportunity for a driver to lay low and remain out of the media’s cross-hairs seeking comment about their days from hell leading into the national event.

That’s kind of the approach Tony Pedregon took this weekend when it came to discussing his split with the only crew chief he’s worked with since leaving John Force Racing to field his own team.

The plan worked like a charm for Pedregon except for one key thing. When you are faced with this kind of adversity, racing with a temporary tuner and win the race against the odds, instead of hanging out in the hauler, you must stand in a room with the media.

Pedregon faced the music, elated about his win in the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd Int'l Raceway. When you qualify fifth and the rain pours for two days, it provides the ultimate opportunity for a driver to lay low and remain out of the media’s cross-hairs seeking comment about their days from hell leading into the national event.

That’s kind of the approach Tony Pedregon took this weekend when it came to discussing his split with the only crew chief he’s worked with since leaving John Force Racing to field his own team.

The plan worked like a charm for Pedregon except for one key thing. When you are faced with this kind of adversity, racing with a temporary tuner and win the race against the odds, instead of hanging out in the hauler, you must stand in a room with the media.

Pedregon faced the music, elated about his win in the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd Int'l Raceway.

“I’ve had a long career and I’ve been fortunate to drive for guys like Larry Minor and John Force, I’ve learned a lot from them and I really felt that I had been through everything and I really never anticipated this happening on such short notice,” Pedregon explained. “I was never really in a panic. I was really optimistic and believed I had a good foundation to work with.”

While many of his Funny Car counterparts struggled throughout the weekend, Pedregon, who in theory should have faltered, raced consistently all weekend like the seasoned veteran he is.

Pedregon was not to be denied as he stopped Jeff Arend, put a crimp in brother Cruz’s playoff aspirations, knocked off Jack Beckman and then drove away from a tire-smoking Ron Capps in the final.

Did we mention there’s a strong likelihood that Pedregon is the first point leader to lose his crew chief hours before an NHRA national event and win?

Friday set the stage for what might have been the most unlikely scenario of the season. That was his first meeting with the team.

“I told them I need them,” said Pedregon, recalling his first meeting of the crew since Venable’s departure. “Each one of them [crew members] knew my routine but I just need them to get past that unknown right around the corner. There were things in place. These cars don’t do what they do because of one person.”

Fear can motivate a team beyond expectation.

Pedregon knows a thing or two about operating under fear. Leaving the established confines of John Force Racing to embark on a team of his own presented a series of monumental challenges, the likes of which this weekend couldn’t hold a candle to.

“I made a pretty big career decision at the end of 2003,” Pedregon explained. “I started to put things into perspective and then I realized there was no need to panic.” 

Pedregon, before coming to Brainerd, established a set of personal goals.

“My attitude was that we had to make the best of it,” Pedregon said.

Pedregon’s goals were to first, make it to the race and second to qualify. Anything after that was gravy.

“Once we qualified, I figured we ought to go one round, or two,” Pedregon added.

In the heat of the battle, when one is winning, there’s no limiting of the goals.

“In the first two rounds, I got emotional racing my brother because I knew what was at stake,” Pedregon said. “I think was a great example of a team coming together. I have always told my team this is a tough business to be in … especially in this economic times. I always have to remind myself that we are tested when we are in situations not when you’re winning races. It’s easy then to walk around and smile then because you’re winning. I think I have a good appreciation for what I have had to do to get to this point.”

Until he became an owner, Pedregon was about doing what it took to shine as a competitive driver. A year later, he took on a whole new role as combination driver and team owner.

The sole thought process of cutting a tough light and knowing when to pedal at certain points on the track became a much smaller part of his life and the things he needed to think about at a racetrack. His thoughts were then compounded with the reality of understanding how many runs he could get to a set of slicks and how much those tires would cost.

“All I asked of my guys were to understand when I had to make the tough decisions of business,” Pedregon said. “Really I’m a racer at heart and I’ve worked hard to make this transition and understand the business.”

Pedregon said that he and Venables were still friends but his former crew chief didn’t participate in this weekend’s event.

Pedregon pointed out that a lion’s share of the credit should go to Rahn Tobler.

“I think Rahn has an appreciation for what Cruz and I are up against,” Pedregon said. “I just knew we had a good race car and that we just needed to maintain.”

Tony Shortall assumed the role of car chief and Dexter Tuttle jumped in as a tuning consultant. Up until Thursday night, Pedregon had never spoken to Tuttle.

“I knew that he’d had a similar experience and had people come in and not really allowing anyone to change his combination,” Pedregon said. “What Dickie left me with was something I wanted to maintain. He and the team had built something that I felt was a good formula. There were several people who were part of the puzzle.”

And, for Pedregon the challenge of maintaining the established standard of excellence required more participation. He was all too happy to oblige.

“There were things I kept thinking about when staring at the engine that I shouldn’t have been,” Pedregon said. “I found myself yelling out things about the timing curve and what was seen on the track and I really enjoyed it. I didn’t want it to distract me but I really enjoyed being as involved as I have this weekend.

“I haven’t woke up as early as I have and been at the race track and this involved. To be honest, I enjoyed it. I know it’s easier to enjoy when you’re winning. Thank goodness I have been through what I went through in my career to prepare me for this.”

And those three days came in handy when it came to face the media.

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