InnerView:

Jim Oddy

Interview and photos by Jeff Burk.

Jim Oddy's Summit Racing Equipment-backed Pro Mod team, with driver Fred Hahn and car chief Billy Leverentz, have won about everything there is to win in the world of Pro Modified and Nitro Coupe including three consecutive USSC championships (1991-93) and three consecutive Super Chevy championships (Pro Mod 1995-96 and Nitro Coupe 1997). In 1994 Oddy was voted into the NHRA Division 1 Hall of Fame. In 2000 the team won the IHRA Pro Modified World Championship and Fred Hahn was named the Car Craft Magazine All-Star Pro Modified Driver of the Year. After a terrible start in 2001, the team finished this season with a top five finish in IHRA Summit World Championship points. They won two national events, won the Mopar Shootout and were the number one qualifier at the NHRA U.S. Nationals in Pro Modified.

Team owner and engine builder Jim Oddy gave us a frank and straightforward interview dealing with a variety of subjects, from his team's future plans to the Tom Anderson controversy. This interview took place before IHRA issued their 2002 rules changes.

DRO: Both of your twin sons, Dan and Dave, seem to be a big part of your team. What's in the future for them? Could we see one of them driving in the future?

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