Tera Wendland-Graves is anticipating the season opener for the DRO Nitro Nostalgia Challenge next weekend, May 8th and 9th, at Beacon Dragway in Paducah, Kentucky.  

This will mark her debut event in competition behind the wheel of John Hale's "One Bad Texan" nitro nostalgia Funny Car, the same car she earned her competition license in last fall when she clicked off a best pass of 6.09 at 226 mph in the quarter-mile. 

Wendland-Graves will be the first female to participate in the series. 

"There aren't words to describe how excited I am about the opportunity to drive the "One Bad Texan" in Paducah next weekend,” said Wendland-Graves. “I can't thank the entire John Hale Racing team enough for giving me this chance.  I have been making runs in my mind for weeks and reviewing the video from the license passes.  I'm ready to go and I know JHR will always bring a safe and properly prepared racecar to the starting line, which is a huge weight off my shoulders mentally.  

“This is a top-notch operation and I can go into this race knowing John and crew chief Guy Tipton, as well as the rest of the crew, have my safety at the top of the list and also know we have a hot rod that can go rounds on race day.  

"I also would like to thank my entire family for their continued support as well as Drag Strip Girl Designs and Nitro*A*Go-Go." 

Wendland-Graves will return to the state of Kentucky in June to compete at the NHRA Holley Hot Rod Reunion at Bowling Green, Kentucky.  She will be driving the Darrel Walden-owned blown front engine dragster in the 7.0 Pro class. She will also be running a full schedule of Southwest Heritage Racing Association events across the southwest, a series in which she claimed the Nostalgia Eliminator 1 class championship this past year.