Phoenix Positives! 

Todd Lesenko and the Uni-Select/Worsham Racing Dodge Charger continued it’s very positive start to the 2013 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series last weekend at Phoenix’s Firebird Raceway….

On a race weekend which saw Todd celebrate his 50^th birthday and which was only his new race team’s 2^nd event together — very similar results to that of Pomona were produced.

During NHRA’s Arizona Nationals, the team enjoyed another solid qualifying effort followed by a significant round victory.

After qualifying “Canada’s Charger” 14^th with a dramatic 4.245 secs at 300.80 mph during Saturday’s final session – Todd lined up against last week’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Winternationals event champion Courtney Force and her JFR Traxxas Ford Mustang in round one on Sunday.

Todd left the starting line first (.084 o .097 RT) before both drivers experienced tire spin issues.   Todd was able to recover first and ran a winning 5.206 secs at 191.92 mph.

In round two Todd was scheduled to take on another JFR race car – this one driven by the drag racing legend himself – John Force.   But a mechanical issue which emerged following an engine change between rounds cropped up suddenly — and the car would not start.   Todd could only look on as John Force singled for the win driving his Castrol GTX Ford Mustang.

“After all that to sit there and watch Force blow the tires off on that single was a helpless feeling,” Todd revealed.  “You just could not help but think of what could have been.  But that’s all part of the reality of drag racing.  It seems if you are injured in this sport —  some salt gets thrown in (LOL!).   But  I’m very sure our day will come.”

“We kicked the rods out winning round one so we had to switch motors,” Todd continued  “It appears that we then had an issue with the wiring of the car – something got burnt and shorted out.  That’s why the car would not start.”

Overall the event effort was truly positive for the new team which continues to jell quickly towards the future.

“The guys truly did a great job,” Todd confided.  “The track out there was very difficult with the changing conditions and all the dust blowing on it.  It was really a tuners game and Chuck and Grant gave me a great car to drive.  With every lap I’m gaining more confidence and the car is really storming.  I honestly thought we had a realistic chance of winning this and everyone is full of optimism about our next race for Las Vegas.

The team’s next scheduled event is for the SummitRacing.com Nationals at LVMS (April 5-7^th).

View the race team event photo gallery:  HERE  (Select 2013 – Phoenix)

Posting and photos by:  Bruce Biegler