Don’t expect two-time NHRA Funny Car champion Tony Pedregon to report to work next week at Don Schumacher Racing. In fact, don’t expect him to report at all.

Pedregon, a recent target of rumors placing him as a driver at DSR, denies any truth to the speculation. In fact, Pedregon adds, “I haven’t talked to Don since the day since a week or two after Indy and it had nothing to do with racing together.”

Pedregon admits he’s really uncertain what his plans are for 2010.

Don’t expect two-time NHRA Funny Car champion Tony Pedregon to report to work next week at Don Schumacher Racing. In fact, don’t expect him to report at all.

Pedregon, a recent target of rumors placing him as a driver at DSR, denies any truth to the speculation. In fact, Pedregon adds, “I haven’t talked to Don since the day since a week or two after Indy and it had nothing to do with racing together.”

Pedregon admits he’s really uncertain what his plans are for 2010.

“I am trying to finalize some of my programs moving forward,” Pedregon told CompetitionPlus.com Thursday afternoon prior to the first session of qualifying.

Pedregon confirmed that major sponsor Quaker State will return in 2010, although he could not say with certainty what their level of participation would be.

“I am trying to finalize the kind of commitment that will keep me out here racing full-time,” he added. “It’s very late and tough to come into the last race. I’ve had this kind of situation on my shoulders for the last several races.

“I’m very optimistic and we’ve had a few great years together. We are trying to put together a better activation and involvement.”

Pedregon admits the pressure of racing with an uncertain future has been stressful, but not overwhelming.

“You get used to it,” Pedregon said. “I have been living in this bubble for about two years now. It’s been very unpredictable.  I think we’ve done very well considering what we’ve had to work with. We take pride in that.”
He admits that in 2010, if his sponsorship package doesn’t meet the necessary financial requirements, his program may be structured differently.

“I don’t know whether I can continue to race like this and for those reasons, I am really fighting for doing more,” Pedregon said. “I am willing to do the work. At this stage, it’s tough when I think about it. It’s just kind of nice to get to the races and think about the other racing problems.”

Win, lose or draw, Pedregon said, he’ll be in Pomona next February.

“I’ll find a way to be there,” Pedregon admitted. “We’ve managed to come this far on very little. If you look at mine and Cruz’s background and where we came from, we’ve always managed to do it. I’m optimistic we can do Pomona, not sure after that.”

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