By Dave Densmore. Photo by Jeff Burk

This year, Gary Densham has made a lot of friends off the track and a few enemies on it, a trend that should continue this week at the Texas Motorplex.

As spokesman for the Automobile Club of Southern California's Youth and Education program and as a former auto shop teacher, Densham has introduced tens of thousands of teenagers to drag racing by emphasizing the benefits of competing in a controlled environment and by identifying career opportunities in the automotive field.

While teaching at Gahr High School in Cerritos, Calif., the 54-year-old veteran operated his own Funny Car team, out of pocket, employing students, past and present, as his crewmembers. Although he was competitive, he lacked the financial and human resources necessary to pose any real threat to those racing for the Winston Championship.

All that changed earlier this year when, faced with the loss of one of his major backers and with the prospect of running a limited schedule, Densham opted to accept an offer to drive a third Ford Funny Car for 10-time Winston Champion John Force. Since then, the perception of Densham has changed.

No longer is the barrel-chested veteran considered fodder for the well-heeled teams that run at the head of the pack. Now, he's considered a contender every time he rolls his Auto Club, Castrol and Mac Tools-sponsored Mustang to the starting line.

"I always said that if he ever got the money, he'd be dangerous," Force said of his friend of 26 years. "I just gave him a chance before somebody else did. I'd rather have him with me than against me. Actually, it was my crew chiefs, Austin Coil and Bernie Fedderly.

"When we decided to run a third car, they wanted Densham because they knew he'd been down every bad track ever built. There aren't many drivers with more seat time than Gary."

Densham justified that support last month when, in his 244th NHRA national event, he finally reached the winners' circle, beating Force in a tire-smoking final round at the AutoZone Nationals at Memphis, Tenn.

In addition, he started a race this year as the No. 1 qualifier for the first time in his career (the Mac Tools Thunder Vallley Nationals at Bristol, Tenn.), set track speed records at Pomona, Calif., and Denver, Colo., and advanced his car to the semifinals or further five times, a personal record for one season.

While most have reveled in his success, Densham admits that there are a couple of drivers whose attitudes have changed since he "went over to the enemy."

"I was one of those who was really critical of John and the multiple-car teams," Densham said, "but once I got over here and saw what was going on, I was able tounderstand the concept a little better. The thing is, I just love to race and I can't thank John enough for giving me this opportunity."

DENSHAM RECORD

O'Reilly Fall Nationals Starts: 9
No. 1 Qualifier: 0
Final Rounds: 0
Wins: 0
Won-Lost Record: 3-9
Best Performances: 4.954 seconds, Oct.23, 1998; 307.27 mph, Oct. 23, 1998
Last Year: After qualifying 14th , Gary was beaten in the first round by Jerry Toliver.

NOTEWORTHY: Gary is one of only a half dozen drivers to have broken both the 4.80 second and the 320 mph barriers. He qualified No. 2 at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis with a time of 4.797 seconds and a speed of 322.96 mph. Two weeks ago, he improved to 4.790 seconds in racing at Reading, Pa.

DID YOU KNOW: Gary serves as the primary spokesperson for the Automobile Club of Southern California's Youth and Education program. As such, he addresses students at more than 60 schools each season including several in the Dallas/Fort- Worth area....Gary has finished in the Top 10 in Winston points only three times in his career. He was ninth in 1995; 10th in 1996 and 1997....before winning his first event, Gary had been a runner-up six times in NHRA competition. Of his final round losses, four were administered by his current teammates, John Force and Tony Pedregon.