ROOKIE PSM RACER MAKES NHRA DEBUT IN TRIBUTE TO FATHER, GANN

by Susan Wade    Sat, 2021-03-13 15:33

 

 

Pablo González Matos had one drag bike, and he raced it to six national championships in Puerto Rico. But when his son Pablo showed a real interest in following in his father’s treadmarks, Dad quit to throw his resources into his 16-year-old’s program. It was a smart move, for Pablo González went on to match his father in Puerto Rican motorcycle titles.

That was 24 years ago, and Friday at Gainesville Raceway, at the start of pro qualifying for the NHRA season-opening Amalie Oil Gatornationals, Pablo González Matos’ son was paying him back, paying tribute to his sacrifice.

The younger González, a Southeastern Drag Bike Association 6.0 Index bracket-racing champion who lives a couple of hours away at Orlando, made his debut in the Pro Stock Motorcycle class, riding Blake Gann’s EBR V-twin that honored yet some else who helped his career flourish. González’s bike was one that his longtime friend Shawn Gann used to compete in what’s known today as the Camping World Drag Racing Series.

The popular, flamboyant, and friendly Shawn Gann passed away suddenly last May. But this remembrance has brought his and González’s relationship full circle. This was the race at which the González family met the Ganns, exactly 30 years ago.

“The Gatornationals is the race that all Puerto Ricans like to come to see, because it’s the closest one and is cheaper in expenses overall,” González said. “My first Gatornationals was 1991 that my dad brought me when I was 10 years old. Then we came year after year to see what we loved. But in 2006, we were walking, as every year, looking all the Pro Stock Bikes, but fortunately Shawn was out and he started to talk to me like he knew me before. But no, he just was good as always. Then I told him that I was a drag bike racer from Puerto Rico and a champion. So he said, ‘Why you don’t race Pro Stock?’ I said, ‘Because of the money.’ He asked me what bike I had and I said I have two chassis but not the engine. He spoke to his dad and they offered me to lease an engine. That same weekend we were talking like friends.

“After that race I did everything I could and sent the chassis to his shop. I went to his shop, stayed in there. They treated me as a family member,” he said.” He ended up staying with the Ganns in North Carolina for two weeks. “We went Route 66 and Englishtown,” he said, “After that, we continued a very solid friendship all these years. Last year, unfortunately, Shawn took the wrong decision and left an empty space in our environment. So sad.

“I went to his funeral, and at the end of the night when I told Blake and Lisa that I was leaving for Florida, Blake said, “Pablo, you know you have a family here and you can come whenever you want. So, I was doing a racing trip with my family. My third race of that trip was in Rockingham, N.C. So I decided to stop at Blake’s [in Stoneville] and spent few days there. He told me that two people were looking to lease the bikes and he asked me if I was able to go to the Gatornationals last year to help him. He told me that he was good enough to come back to races. I said, ‘You have a friend here, I will go there and help you.’ At the end of the race he told me, ‘Pablo, I want you to race Shawn’s bike at the Gatornationals 2021.”

(David Barron and Chris Bostick honored Shawn Gann last September at the Gatornationals, as well.)

For now, González expects to race Gann’s bike for just this one event. It’s uncertain whether he’ll have the chance to race the bike again soon in NHRA competition.

“We don’t know yet,” Blake Gann said. “He wanted to race, and I was glad to help him out. He seems like he’s really interested. He and Shawn were good friends for years. Lance Bonham was going to ride one of the Buells, and I was already going to be there. Pablo has always wanted to race so bad. I said, ‘Man, I’ll already be there. I’ll fix you up a motorcycle. Come on and have a good time!’ He’s never ridden a Pro Stock [motorcycle], but I think he’ll be fine. We’ll have a good time, and it’ll definitely be a good race for him. He said he has known González “about 12-14 years, something like that. He comes to see us every once in a while. He’s a really nice guy. He’s always wanted to ride a Pro Stock, so now’s a good time. Why not?”

González said, “Blake was so happy about everything I’ve done in the USA. Everything with my own bikes and budget. He’s really proud.” However, he said, “This is one race only. It’s a one-time opportunity. It’s a dream for me. But unfortunately, there’s no budget to continue. This is really expensive. It will be huge for me if I can get a sponsor to make more races. I spoke to Blake, and he’s willing to continue if someone can get on board. I’ll do my best, as always. I’m a professional racer, and I’m taking this seriously. I went to the Ganns’ house last weekend and spent a few days in there, helping and planning.

“Let me tell you!! Pro Stock Motorcycle is the dream of any drag bike bracket racer. I’m representing the drag bike bracket racing community. God selected me to be there for a purpose. Many racers of the drag bike bracket racing community, including Puerto Rico, are going to travel only to support me. They have sent me messages and pictures with flight itineraries. This is so special and means a lot to me. I’m speechless,” González said.

He said the bike needed a few updates to make it competitive, “but my mission is to make the field.” Running alongside Jianna Salinas, who races with her Top Fuel driver-team owner father Mike Salinas, González got on the board with a 9.550-second elapsed time at 89.30 mph. That left him 18th in the order, but he has two more chances Saturday to improve for one of the 16-bike slots for Sunday eliminations.

Naturally, he wanted to make a strong showing for the Gann family, Shawn’s memory, and for his own sense of pride. But watching on Friday just steps away was Pablo González Matos, who had arrived from Puerto Rico a week ago. And the son was just as passionate about taking his father down the quarter-mile with him in spirit.

“He’s with me since Day 1 of this,” González said. “I don’t want to lose anything. This is his dream. I’m doing the sport he loves. Everything I know I owe to him.”

Shawn Gann had loved his father, too. When he won at Denver a few years ago, He bragged about his dad, “My daddy can build anything. He can build an engine. He can build a bike. My daddy can build a volcano! Yes, he can.” And Blake Gann loved the sport and loved living it with Shawn. “I miss him a lot,” Blake said.

So this tale of two father-son combos continues to be woven into Gatornationals lore.

 

 

 
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