For 20-year old Kenny Buzdas, his goal of driving a Funny Car in the NHRA will soon become a reality as he has been selected to become a driver for the Pleasant Grove, Calif. based Thiel Motorsports Top Alcohol Funny Car team for the 2010 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.

“I can not thank Brian and Randi Thiel enough for the opportunity they are giving to me for 2010,” noted 2006 NHRA Division 7 Junior Dragster and 2007 Top Eliminator West champion Kenny Buzdas. “It has always been a goal of mine to drive a Top Alcohol Funny Car in NHRA Drag Racing. I look forward to the challenge and I’m eager to get strapped in this awesome hot rod.”

For 20-year old Kenny Buzdas, his goal of driving a Funny Car in the NHRA will soon become a reality as he has been selected to become a driver for the Pleasant Grove, Calif. based Thiel Motorsports Top Alcohol Funny Car team for the 2010 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.

“I can not thank Brian and Randi Thiel enough for the opportunity they are giving to me for 2010,” noted 2006 NHRA Division 7 Junior Dragster and 2007 Top Eliminator West champion Kenny Buzdas. “It has always been a goal of mine to drive a Top Alcohol Funny Car in NHRA Drag Racing. I look forward to the challenge and I’m eager to get strapped in this awesome hot rod.”

Buzdas, who lives in near the Thiel Motorsports race shop in Yuba City, Calif., has been the driver of James Ray’s Blown Alcohol Dragster for the past three years. Competing in the ultra-quick 6.30 second indexed Top Eliminator West category has given Buzdas a solid basis for what he believes will be an exciting driving opportunity.

“Jumping from a junior dragster to Jimmy’s awesome 200 mile per hour rail came pretty natural for me,” said Buzdas. “However, in this case I am going from driving a long wheel based, automatic transmission rear engine dragster to one of the most difficult cars to drive in drag racing. I have talked with several drivers who have made the same cross over and have some awesome teachers helping me along with this process.”

For car owner Brian Thiel, the opportunity to help out a young and passionate driver was the driving force.

“Since I met this kid at Davey’s (legendary chassis builder Dave Uyehara) shop two years ago, I have been impressed with his drive and determination,” said Thiel, who plans to run the entire 24-event NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series behind the wheel of a Nitro Funny car next season. “The kid is a go-getter so we’re going to let Kenny warm up our car this weekend at the national event and get comfortable with it before we hit the track next week.”

Buzdas will begin his licensing procedures next week during a test session to be held on “The Strip” at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Brian Thiel’s potent TAFC.  Both Thiel and his TAFC team mate Brian Hough will be on hand to help Buzdas with his NHRA competition license upgrade.

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