Gary Densham earned a reputation for being frugal while racing as an independently sponsored driver. This experience has been a lifesaver for the Bellflower, Ca.-based driver whose determination drives him to compete against teams with budgets as much as five times larger than his.

“We probably would have come out healthier financially by losing in the first round than we did in reaching the finals,” Densham said. “This final round appearance was a great morale booster and the crew did a really good job. I have no reservations in saying I have the greatest crew in the world.

“Today gave us the opportunity to showcase their talents and have some fun.” Gary Densham earned a reputation for being frugal while racing as an independently sponsored driver. This experience has been a lifesaver for the Bellflower, Ca.-based driver whose determination drives him to compete against teams with budgets as much as five times larger than his.

“We probably would have come out healthier financially by losing in the first round than we did in reaching the finals,” Densham said. “This final round appearance was a great morale booster and the crew did a really good job. I have no reservations in saying I have the greatest crew in the world.

“Today gave us the opportunity to showcase their talents and have some fun.”

Is he having fun despite being at such a disadvantage?
“Oh hell yes,” Densham responded. “This sport has the greatest fans in the world and the greatest competitors as well. When it ceases to be fun, I won’t be doing this any more.”

Densham adamantly states one of the secrets to his success has been the talents of crew chief Greg Amaral.

“Greg Armaral is the most under-rated crew chief out here,” Densham said. “To do what he’s done on as little of a budget as he has to work with, is incredible. He makes that car go awfully good.”

Densham didn’t let the No. 16 qualifying seed deter him from scoring key victories over John Force, Del Worsham and Tim Wilkerson before meeting Tony Pedregon. How ironic was the fact two former John Force Racing drivers met in the finals of the same event JFR qualified all four drivers.

“I’m sure Tony will say the same thing as me – we were happy we got the opportunity to race with an unlimited budget like we did over there,” Densham said. “Knowing what they have at their disposal and what we have made beating John extra special. That’s what makes this sport fun. Anyone can win on any given day.”

ALMOST GOT ‘EM – Pedregon pointed out his team found a happy medium in the final round tune-up. This happy medium almost opened the door for Densham. Pedregon’s .003 in performance advantage could have easily been overtaken had Densham been quicker leaving the starting line.

“We ran exactly what we wanted to run,” Densham conveyed. “We didn’t think they could run as well in the right hand lane after they had struggled all day. You always want to look at it and go back and use a ‘do-over’ but in drag racing there are no mulligans. If we know what we know now we might have pushed a little harder and I think the track would have taken it. We went up there trying to run a 4.90 and did that.

“Tony is the world champion for a reason and he went in extremely deep on that one.”