|
"We were ultimately trying to get a fulltime sponsor to try and do this as a profession," said Strasburg. "I still have a business to run, but if we could find the funding, we would run the full tour. That's really why we [moved to Top Fuel] because it's tough to get anyone to talk with you about sponsor ships for an alcohol car."
The team purchased its current dragster midway through the 2001 season and began preparing it for competition. They entered the Top Fuel ranks in 2002 and have run a limited national event schedule the last two seasons. The team's 2004 calendar includes 10 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series events and a handful of match races.
Because the team does not have a major sponsor, Strasburg relies heavily on his family and the generosity of others who volunteer their time to keep him on track. Strasburg's brothers play major roles on the team: Jeff is the crew chief; Lindsay serves as team manager; and Tim, who cannot attend all events, helps with the fuel and other similar items. Strasburg's son-in-law Ryan Borchert helps with the blower, Lindsay's son Aaron does the clutch work, and Lindsay's stepson Ben Carter works on the bottom end. In addition, Strasburg's sisters Linda and Colleen, his wife Sue, and Lindsay's wife Sheryl help with off-track activities such as cooking, computer work, public relations, and other business matters. The family also receives help from a number of volunteers, including Clydell Bowen, whose company, Bowen Ford, supplies the team's tow vehicle, and Tom Bowen, Dave Wheelie, Mark Killpack, Curtis Terry, Darrin Williams, and Mike -Knowles. Bob Noice and Don Jackson advise on the tuning of the car. In addition, Strasburg's father Allen and his wife Marie attend many of the races to lend their support. '
RIGHT ON TRACK
Though they have competed in a limited number of Top Fuel races, the team feels its program is exactly where it should be. Strasburg had picked up his performance each season, and he is qualifying regularly. He notched his first career Top fuel round-win when he defeated Tony Schumacher in round one at the 2002 Denver event, and last season, he turned heads when he posted a career-best 4.623 in his opening round less in Chicago in September.
"We were probably the happiest losers there," said Strasburg of his Chicago outing. "[The team] was jumping up and down and screaming at the starting line, and somebody looked at them and said, 'Well, you lost.' but we were just really happy with that run."
The team picked up some financial assistance from Raptor Industries for 2004 but continues to search for full sponsorship with the goal of competing in all 23 POWERade events. In the meantime, the team will continue to run a part-time schedule, working on improving its overall performance each race.
"We try to pick up so much each year," said Strasburg. "Last year
We ran mid-4.5s, so now we need to run high 4.5s to really be where we feel like we should be. We realize [a win] would really be a little out of our reach, but anything can happen. We expect to qualify at every race we go to, and we also think that with a little luck we can win at least one round. Eventually, we think we can get to where we start going rounds. Our goal is to get the funding to try to run a full season and buy what we need so we can run the parts a little harder and see if we can run with everyone." ND
|
|
