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"I'm the type of person who wants to be the best at whatever I do [but] with all we'd taken on, I couldn't be really good at anything." -- Jeff Taylor

Jeff Taylor has been drag racing for more than 20 years. In that time the veteran racer, along with his brother Charlie, has built the motors that power some of the most competitive racecars around. The Lumberton, N.C., resident has also made a name for himself as one of the most dominant drivers in the sport. He currently holds licenses in three NHRA classes, the most recent being Comp eliminator.

A long-time competitor in NHRA's Super Stock class, Taylor made the move to Comp Eliminator in 2000. That's also the year he teamed up with Arnie Martel, who hails from Tewksbury, Mass. The team started out with an ambitious program; two Comp Eliminator cars and three Super Stockers. At one point they even made a brief foray into the Pro Stock Truck ranks as well. And although he finished 10th in the national points standings in Comp, Taylor felt that the team had taken on too much.

"You know how it can be when two racers get together. We thought we could do it all. And while 2000 was a good season -- we won four national events and three divisional races between us -- I still felt there was room for improvement," said Taylor, 41.

Taylor decided that between the five racecars, the Taylor Racing Engines business, and his family, he was spread too thin. That's when he suggested to Martel that the concentrate on the two Comp Eliminator cars and Arnie's Super Stocker.

"I'm the type of person who wants to be the best at whatever I do," explained Taylor. "I want to be the best engine builder, the best driver, the best husband, and the best father. With all we'd taken on, I couldn't be really good at anything."

Taylor is once again enjoying competition and his latest team. He says competing in Comp Eliminator is something he wanted to do for several years and the partnership with Martel was the perfect opportunity. Taylor Racing Engines now has an on-track test program and Jeff has the time to help their customers get their own racing programs up to speed.

To date, the Taylor-Martel team has at total of six national event wins and, on the divisional level, one win and a runner-up. Taylor just earned a double win at the NHRA national event in Memphis. He took the stripe in Comp Eliminator and in one of his few appearances in Super Stock.

Taylor cites the crew, including Willie Evans and Jeff Still, with most of the team's success. Jeff adds that having brother Charlie holding down the fort at Taylor Racing Engines allows him to concentrate on racing and customer service when he's at the track.

Taylor is hoping to improve on his No. 10 finish from a year ago. And since he's currently at No. 6, all indications are he'll be successful.