BRINGING BACK A CLASSIC

In the 1960s the Pedregon who blazed the dragstrips of SoCal was Flamin' Frank, who also introduced his three sons to nitro racing at an early age. This year Cruz and Tony decided to pay tribute to their late father's pioneering spirit by commissioning metal artist Pat Foster to build a re-creation of one of dad's legendary mean and nasty nitro coupes.

These exclusive DRO photos, shot by Foster, show the correct angle, stance and attitude of the 155-inch re-pop that will sport a Dale Armstrong-built Rodeck-Emory billet 392 Chrysler. The engine will look as it did with an original Scott injector hat.

The new car will be high gear only with an in-and-out box, an East-West 3-disc titanium, centrifugal clutch hooked-up to a Strange Engineering Ford 9-inch rear with Strange axles and brakes. Rob Moore provided driveline parts and Kenny Cox at SPE supplied the steering box, steering hub and front spindles.

Tony and Cruz have approved the progress and are happy with Foster's work since the idea was never to create an exact copy, but to have the look and spirit of the original digger. They hope to debut the car at the 2005 Winternationals. DRO will bring you more photos as the historic build nears completion. [10-26-2004]

NEXT IN LINE

John Force was out at California Dragway over the weekend while the PSCA event was underway to test with his next set of drivers. Daughters Brittany (18) and Courtney (16) made laps in the former Ashley Force Super Comp dragster under the watchful eye of Mom and Dad. On Saturday Courtney made a number of 8.91 and 8.92 passes, then on Sunday Brittany was fitted into the cockpit for her day on the Fontana quarter mile. (Darr Hawthorne photo)  [10-26-2004]

GETTING READY FOR NEXT YEAR?

Spending an off-tour weekend with the kids, Gary Densham was busy tuning his son Steven to the Top Eliminator championship at California Dragway during the PSCA event. In the final, No. 1 qualifier Steven ran a 6.491 at 199.73, defeating the dragster of Butch Stroupe. The Denshams have been running with the CIFCA alcohol funny car circuit this season and it looks like Densham Racing is working on the future without John Force Racing. (Darr Hawthorne photo)  [10-26-2004]