Two Pedregons may join forces for next season

Monday, Oct. 27, 2003 | 10:32 a.m.

Published reports have been circulating for weeks that Tony Pedregon is set to leave John Force Racing, perhaps to join his brother Cruz's team as an co-owner/driver.

Shortly after winning the 2003 NHRA Funny Car championship Sunday at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, however, Pedregon didn't sound like a man who was eager to part ways with the team that helped him to his first championship.

"I have time to think about what the future holds for me and I'm going to think about it and give a lot of thought to it so that I do make the right decision," an emotional Pedregon said. "But I will say this: It's going to take an awful lot to pull me away from what happened (Sunday) because this (championship) has a lot of meaning.

"I know you're not supposed to make decisions based on emotions -- and I'm not going to -- but I will say that. I know you've heard a lot of rumors but don't be surprised if there is no announcement."

Cruz Pedregon has said that he intends to make an announcement regarding his team in Las Vegas in two weeks, fueling speculation that Tony Pedregon would leave John Force Racing at season's end and team with his brother in the Funny Car ranks.

The engine in Dixon's Miller Lite dragster gave out at half-track, handing the victory to Clay Millican. For Dixon, who was the sixth-fastest qualifier in his category, the loss marked the first time this season he had lost in the first round of eliminations.

The last time Dixon made such an early exit was in the 2002 season finale last November in Pomona, Calif.

"It was inevitable," crew chief Dick LaHaie said of his driver's first-round problem, "but it was an unfortunate time for it to happen. We had a parts failure; it's just one of those things that you never expect it to happen and suddenly it happens.

"I'm just glad that we're going though this now and not fighting it mid-summer."

Dixon, who has not won since Aug. 3 in Sonoma, Calif., clinched the Top Fuel championship two weeks ago in Texas.

Anderson is one victory shy of establishing a Pro Stock record for most victories in a season (12) and is three round wins shy of breaking Force's NHRA record of 63 round wins in a season.

"Obviously, it's wonderful to tie the record and be the Pontiac driver to equal the Dodge record -- and hopefully have a chance to throw a Dodge out of the records book in two weeks in Pomona," Anderson said.

"The records just keep piling up and I can't even keep track of them; it's phenomenal what we've been able to do."

In addition to the championship and 11 victories, Anderson also holds the national records for quickest (6.670) and fastest (207.18) passes in Pro Stock.

Sean Conner of Boulder City qualified 12th in Pro Stock Bike and won his opening-round race against Reggie Showers before losing to Andrew Hines in the second round. Henderson's Jay Matthews qualified 14th in Pro Stock Bike but lost in the first round to class points leader Geno Scali.