Alan Bradshaw

Top Alcohol Dragster champion Alan Bradshaw will attempt to defend his national title as part of Len Cottrell's Chicken Chokers Racing Team in 2004. Bradshaw will also help the Manassas, Va.-based Cottrell defend his Division 1 crown.

"I heard Len was looking for a driver so I gave him a call," Bradshaw said. "We discussed our goals and our philosophies and it was obvious that we had quite a bit in common. I knew after visiting with Len that this deal was best for me when considering all the factors involved."

Cottrell was pleased to form this alliance with Bradshaw. "Alan and I both agreed that we want to focus on two things: winning and having a lot of fun," he said. "I'm really serious about the competition, but if it's not fun, it's not worth the time and money we pour into it.

"I'm really excited to see where we can go this year. With my experience and Alan's skill in the seat, I think we'll definitely go far."

Bradshaw, who drove Randy Meyer's injected nitro dragster to the 2003 Lucas Oil Top Alcohol Dragster Championship, said budgetary woes were the sole reason he was unable to renew his contract with Meyer.

"Randy, his crew and I had an awesome time last year and achieved our ultimate goal as a team, winning the Lucas Oil Championship," Bradshaw said. "Unfortunately, these cars run on a ton of money and I had to make a business decision that made sense economically. Otherwise, Randy and I would be giving them grief together right now."

Fortunately for Bradshaw, his racing accomplishments opened some doors for him to race in 2004, which is where Cottrell came into play.

"I'm very excited to bring the No. 1 to Len Cottrell and his guys," Bradshaw said. "They have a good hot rod that's the current Division 1 Championship-winning dragster, and I want to help successfully defend their title for them.

"Len is well respected among his racing peers, and when you take a man like that who has been racing for 44 years, and still loves it today as much as he did when he started, I believe he deserves to wear that No. 1 on his wing. Anybody that races that many years is No. 1 in my book."

"After so many years you'd think I'd be burned out," Cottrell said, "but I'm still just as excited about racing as when I started so many years ago. It's a legal addition without a cure."

As for defending the team's two titles, Bradshaw expects to have his hands full. "When you look at the caliber of the East Coast Division 1 hot rods it's obvious we'll have to be aggressive every chance we get. As far as the national title defense, the competition is fierce and it will be even tougher due to the fact we only anticipate running 10 races."

The team plans to make their debut the 24th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals presented by Pontiac in Atlanta.