NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

West Coast Funny Car racer Tim Gibbons will saddle up in class veteran Gary Densham’s Funny Car to race at the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals on a very personal mission.

“I wasn't planning on running Sonoma because the car I usually drive is owned by Terry Haddock, and he’s racing in Europe, and it falls on the same weekend,” said Gibbons. “I’m sitting at my desk and the phone rings, and it's Gary Densham. ‘Timmy, drive my car in Sonoma,’ he says. It was that simple. Sonny DeMontes, who is a longtime friend and crewmember for Gary and with whom I have raced for years, was at the shop, and they decided to give me a call.

“I have looked up to Gary for years and years, as he was a childhood favorite of mine since the Lions [Drag Strip], OCIR, and Irwindale [Dragstrip] days.

“I’m thrilled to get the ride because Sonoma is my home track, and it’s always special to me, being that it’s so close to home and we get a lot of friends and family to attend. It’s also a great market for my sponsor, Big Time Pest Control, so it worked out for everyone. 

“This year is going to be sad and a very special race to me as we lost Bekki Bullert, owner of Big-Time Pest Control, to cancer on Sunday. Her husband and company co-owner Mike Bullert is a tremendous person and dear friend of mine, so we want this to be an extra special race and remember how much we loved Bekki.

“Bekki was an incredibly strong woman who fought to the bitter end. I will be dedicating this race to her, and God willing, we pull off the David and Goliath and win it all to make this race even more special.”