So at this point in mid-December, you’re looking at running on your own dime, starting in February or March?

Cannon: Yeah, we’re going to have to unless we find some help. And we don’t have to have a major sponsor, even though that’s what we’d like. I’d be happy to settle for two or three small ones, or I’d even settle for an investor who wanted to come in for two or three races, just to see how things go. That would be the least desirable scenario I’d want to see, but it’s not like I have to meet a big payroll or get a big check out of it because I’ve got other things going. We already own all the cars, trucks, trailers, all that stuff is bought and paid for, but it sure would be nice just to have enough to run the car. We don’t have a big mortgage payment, we don’t have a big payroll, there’s nothing on the car that Scott can’t do, including building the motors, putting the rear-end together, he can do it all. If we don’t find a sponsor it’s going to mean a lot of burning the midnight oil between me and him and not getting paid for it, but surely in the long run it will pay off because that’s what got me where I was before I went running the fuel stuff.

What happened to your Oakley deal?

Cannon: I had a good deal going, but I don’t know, maybe I didn’t do so well this year and they decided to step out and not fund the car. But we still have a good relationship with those guys. We still have an apparel deal and we’re still tied in with Oakley; it’s just not in financially backing this car. That’s about all I can say on that point.

So the car and the tune-up came back to you toward the end of the year, but what about your new driver? What do you think of Scott’s progression? How many laps has he made so far?

Cannon Jr.: Probably no more than 30.

Cannon: We went to Houston the first of the year when I was driving it and stayed on Monday to get his license. You have to make eight runs total, a couple of little squirts and going faster, and he made the runs and got the license. It was no runs aborted, no mishaps with him or the car, and we loaded up and left with him and his license.

With his famous father calling the shots (behind car, pointing), Scott Cannon
played a pivotal role in securing the team win for the NHRA AMS
All-Stars at last year’s inaugural Dragstock at Carolina Dragway.

Were you surprised or just pleased that he did so well right off the bat?

Cannon: I was pleased for sure, but surprised? Not really. You know, he drove the fuel car and made all the passes except one for his license there, so it wasn’t like he hadn’t gone fast before. It was 2000 or 2001 and Oakley was thinking about having a two-car team, but then chose not to do it, so we didn’t spend any more money on getting his license because you know how expensive it is to run those things. After him driving it and riding an outlaw motorcycle back home, I wasn’t worried about him.

So, Scott, what was it like the first time you drove your dad’s Pro Mod after having watched him race all these years?

Cannon Jr.: I didn’t think we’d do as good as we did. (Cannon: He didn’t believe I could tune it.) Even though I drove the fuel car and the bikes I’ve always liked Pro Mod the best. The fuel car you had to jerk it around and the Pro Mod car you kind of have to finesse it a little more. You can’t get too rough with it or you’re more likely to end up on its top.