This blog is way late. I wanted to write it before the Hot Rod Reunion, but there was so much to do. And I want to write about all the good stuff.

Since I last wrote, one sort of good thing was going to Indy. I hung out in the tower with Bob Frey and watched some good racing. Indy has always been a magical race and I am so proud of my win there. (My license plate reads “IWNINDY”). I do have to say that I really missed the Showdown for funny cars. It is a great race within a race and I hope it will be brought back. I wish the Countdown drama had not come down the way it did, and I hope John Force and the Pedregons can make up.

The bad part of Indy was not racing; nor, for that matter, since then. I would have liked very much to have been a part of the four-lane race in Charlotte. It’s been difficult to know that everyone was racing each weekend and I was at home. You can bet I wore out the computer keeping up with what everyone was doing.

Now comes the good stuff. With all the time off, we have finally finished the Nostalgia Funny Car for my son, Steven. We have been planning this project for over two years. Steven and I did all the work ourselves, with help from Gary Seaward. Gary is a multi-talented guy from Australia who has worked on my team for four years. Steven has been around racing since he was born and has absorbed so much from it and his schooling in engineering. And, I must say, I had to reach back many years to remember everything.

We modified last year’s Plueger chassis, then mounted and tinned a 1969 Camaro body on it. The car is painted like my original 1973 Dodge Challenger. Pete Pasillas, who used to paint my cars, even did the headlights, grill, and tail lights. They look absolutely real. It was very gratifying to know I can still go back to my roots and build a car that is as much a show piece as a racecar. And, being the teacher and parent, I hope I handed some of that knowledge to the younger generation.

Steven has driven since he was nine. He drove Jr. Dragsters, CIFCA, West Coast Eliminator, and even made a squirt in my “big car.” He has made six-second passes at over 200 mph, so I know he can handle the car.  However, we just ran out of time for him to upgrade before the Reunion. “Well, I guess I will just have to drive it.”

It’s good to know that I still can remember to do the burnout in high gear, leave in low gear, drive with one hand and reach between my legs to shift the car, and not run into anything. But I had forgotten how loud the car is inside, with no side windows. I guess it’s like riding a bicycle.

Bakersfield had 32 cars for an eight car show. A show of 32 Funny Cars--sound familiar to anyone? We made one full pass at 6.06 at 230 mph. Not bad for a first full pass, but unfortunately, not good enough for the field. Still, tenth wasn’t so bad and the parts looked good. Next time, I feel we will do better.

When the promoters in Australia saw the car, they realized that it looked just like the car I took on my first trip to Australia 35 years ago, when I went with John Force. They asked if I could bring the car for the International Funny Car Series and make some exhibition runs in January. I know I will have a great time, but my son is not too happy, since he won’t be able to get his license until the car gets back in March. He has wanted my ride for a long time, but I guess a couple of months won’t hurt. We both would like to race together some day, but as long as there is only one “big car” --thanks, I’ll drive that for awhile more.

We are looking forward to running the national events at Las Vegas and Pomona. Thanks to some great sponsors that you will see on the car then. I have really missed seeing my friends and fans over the last couple of months. And my team will be together again. I hope we can be a part of some great shows for the fans.