California’s Cruz Pedregon rode a record quick performance to victory during NHRA’s Toyota Summer Nationals held at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in New Jersey.

After recording the quickest elapsed time in NHRA Fuel FC history at 3.959 secs during time trials, Pedregon was the class of the Funny Car field all weekend, going from No. 1 qualifier to the race victory with a performance of 4.126 at 301.33 in his Snap-on Tools Toyota Camry over Del Worsham in his DHL Toyota Camry in the final. The win was a relief for Pedregon, whose team has struggled early this season.

“It was a tremendous points day,” said Pedregon. “To say I’m excited and happy would be an understatement, but I also feel relieved a little bit. We’ve dug ourselves a pretty good hole this year.”

The win was Pedregon’s 35th of his career and first of the season. With the victory, Pedregon tied NHRA legend Don Prudhomme for fourth on the all-time Funny Car wins list.

“Prudhomme is my hero, and it means a lot [to tie him],” Pedregon said. “I’ve been doing this a long time. I’ve had plenty of opportunities, but I think my biggest accomplishment is the fact that I have been doing it so long in different scenarios. To be able to do this at this level and maintain it 20 years later means everything to me.”

Cruz Pedregon ran a record quick time on Friday and carried that through to victory lane on Sunday afternoon.

Event Essentials:  NHRA Toyota Summer Nationals  (Englishtown NJ) :

Del Worsham was R/UP in the DHL Toyota – he also set top speed of the meet at 321.04 mph

Posting and photos by:  Bruce Biegler