Last Updated on January 10, 2023 by CCAR Staff
One thing about drag racing is that you can’t win every race. There are so many elements, so many variables that it just can’t be done.
But that doesn’t mean that you don’t want to win them all. So it stings a little bit writing this after a first-round loss to my Don Schumacher Racing teammate Antron Brown at my home race, the NHRA Winternationals at Pomona.
The only reason why I’m disappointed is that I know the potential of the Red Fuel/Sandvik Coromant dragster. We have a good car. We just got a little behind in qualifying.
I’ve talked a lot about my family in this column the last few days but another part of my family is this team. That’s what we are. Here at Don Schumacher Racing I have a pretty incredible family.
Todd Okuhara and Phil Shuler are the leaders and all throughout qualifying they were addressing problems and doing everything they could to give me a better car. It’s just one of those things that if we had one more run, I think we would’ve had an excellent shot to compete for the win this weekend.
It’s the first of the year and we know we have a good car heading into our next race near Phoenix. But the greater picture is the entire season. When I came over to Don Schumacher Racing, Don and I had a lot of talks about what it takes to win a championship.
That’s the main goal and the reason I’m here. We’re going for a championship this season and there’s a lot of racing left to do. Don has given us all of the parts and pieces to go out and get my second Top Fuel world championship and that’s what I’m here to do.
With only one race in the books I can already tell you that it’s going to be an incredible ride this season and I’m looking forward to all of the success that I’m going to have with my DSR family.
And we’ll be back year in November to close the season and I want invite all of you out to help celebrate.
