Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Dunn, done as driver of Yankees’ racer, joins ESPN

Thursday, Jan. 17, 2002 | 9:45 a.m.

Brian Hilderbrand covers motor sports for the Las Vegas Sun. Reach him at bh@lasvegassun.com or 259-4089.

Mike Dunn, who inexplicably left the Gwynn/Steinbrenner Racing NHRA Top Fuel team earlier this month, will spend this season in the television booth as an analyst on ESPN's telecasts of the NHRA Powerade Drag Racing Series.

Dunn will replace Cruz Pedregon, who is returning to Funny Car competition after a year as race analyst with ESPN.

"I never thought I'd be doing television in 2002," Dunn said. "I'm just glad I can still be involved with the sport of drag racing. I've been around it all my life and I love the sport."

Dunn suddenly resigned as driver of the New York Yankees-sponsored GSR dragster and hinted that the reason was that the team stalled contract negotiations with co-owner Darrell Gwynn, but offered no specifics. Gwynn last week hired 22-year-old Australian Andrew Cowin to drive the Yankees dragster this season.

Dunn, 45, had 22 NHRA national-event victories in a 21-year career in both Top Fuel and Funny Car competition. Last year, Dunn had two victories in the Yankees dragster and finished fourth in Top Fuel points.

Dunn will team with lead announcer Marty Reid on ESPN's telecasts of all 23 NHRA Powerade Drag Racing Series national events.

"We're pleased to have Mike join our broadcast team," NHRA president Tom Compton said. "Mike has a tremendous ability to relate his expansive knowledge about the sport to our viewers so that they can better understand the sport of drag racing.

"We're certain that Mike and Marty will compliment each other very well in the booth."

As a result of the Master Settlement Agreement between the major tobacco companies and the state's attorneys general, Savoie's sponsor for the past four years, Winston, is prohibited from sponsoring her Star Racing team beginning in 2002.

Savoie said that she plans to be at Pomona for the season-opening Winternationals Feb. 7-10 whether or not she has secured a primary sponsor, but added she may not be able to run a full season without a major sponsor.

"Winning the NHRA Powerade Championship is my top priority," Savoie said. "Without sponsorship, I do not feel we could achieve this goal. My life has and always will be about setting and reaching my goals.

"Racing is in my blood (and) so is winning. I hope and pray that I will be able to continue to do both."

Star Racing president George Bryce said the team has remained intact with a complete arsenal of race-winning engines.