Paul Romine, a multi-time IHRA Top Fuel champion, has learned the secret to drag racing with no pressure.

“We’re having a lot of fun because this is a hobby,” said Romine, who races Nostalgia Funny Car on the NHRA Heritage Series. “There’s no pressure out here and the guys we are racing with, we’ve raced together for many years. There were a few guys with me back when we ran the CARQUEST Top Fuel dragster. We’ve all been to the big show and we’re having fun. There are no big expectations other than just racing and doing the best you can. We’re not looking for some big sponsor to go racing on the big show. That makes it fun. Plus, we pack as much beer as we do oil.”

Romine was the fourth quickest qualifier aduring the 19th annual California Hot Rod Reunion in Bakersfield, Ca.

Paul Romine, a multi-time IHRA Top Fuel champion, has learned the secret to drag racing with no pressure.

“We’re having a lot of fun because this is a hobby,” said Romine, who races Nostalgia Funny Car on the NHRA Heritage Series. “There’s no pressure out here and the guys we are racing with, we’ve raced together for many years. There were a few guys with me back when we ran the CARQUEST Top Fuel dragster. We’ve all been to the big show and we’re having fun. There are no big expectations other than just racing and doing the best you can. We’re not looking for some big sponsor to go racing on the big show. That makes it fun. Plus, we pack as much beer as we do oil.”

Romine was the fourth quickest qualifier aduring the 19th annual California Hot Rod Reunion in Bakersfield, Ca.

Romine lost in the second round to Steven Densham despite having one of the more quicker and consistent cars at the event.

“All of the guys on the crew are retired fuel guys,” said Romine. “[crew chief] Mikie [Cavaleri] does a great job doing the tuning. We almost tune by committee. Right from the get-go, the car did well. Anyone who has been around racing long enough knows you never get a handle on it. You might think you do. But, the car is running consistent.”

Romine believes his advantage comes from running in the natural conditions close to his Indianapolis base where high heat and humidity are king. Racing in Bakersfield is almost a dream come true.

“We race in the Midwest where there’s 108 – 110 grains of water,” said Romine. “The air is terrible and we are limited to a 21-gallon pump and a little supercharger. When we come out here, and the air is better, even though it was a little hot, it’s almost like a vacation. You don’t put holes out here. We like racing out here because there are fast cars and to be one of the dogs you have to race with them. They bring out the best in us.”

The Mustang Romine is racing is built from a plug created from the car he originally raced in 1979.

“Found it down in Louisville [Kentucky] a few years ago,” Romine proclaimed. “I brought it back to Indy and took it to [chassis builder] Mike Spitzer and the two of us made the plug for it.”

Romine has two semi-final finishes in NHRA Hot Rod Heritage competition, once at the Bakersfield March Meet and most recently in Boise, Idaho.

“We’re getting there but not quite there yet,” Romine admitted. “We are nipping at it. That’s fun for us.”

And best of all, there’s no pressure.

{source}
<div style="float:left; padding:5px;">
<script type="text/javascript">
sr_adspace_id = 2000000613807;
sr_adspace_width = 300;
sr_adspace_height = 250;
sr_ad_new_window = true;
sr_adspace_type = "graphic";
</script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://ad.afy11.net/srad.js?azId=2000000613807">
</script></div>

<div style="padding:5px;"><script type="text/javascript">
google_ad_client = "pub-8044869477733334";
/* 300x250, created 4/3/09 */
google_ad_slot = "2028912167";
google_ad_width = 300;
google_ad_height = 250;
</script>
<script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
</div>{/source}