from Ken Pelkie
With just two weeks remaining until the roar of engines awaken for the first practice slated for the 2012 racing season, Ohsweken Speedway is excited to announce that they will host two time NHRA Funny Car champion Cruz Pedregon at the “Big O” this summer. Thanks to the efforts of promoter Glenn Styres, Cruz has agreed to wheel one of the Styres Brothers potent 360 Sprint Cars on the fast 3/8 mile clay oval during the opening round of the Northern Summer Nationals on June 22.
“How sweet is this” exclaimed Styres in making the announcement. “First Stewart is coming back; and now Cruz Pedregon is coming to our track. It is like a dream for me. I hope that the fans are as excited as I am and take the opportunity to come out and get up close with these guys”.
As the owner / driver of “Cruz Pedregon Racing” Snap-On Tools Funny Car, Cruz was born in Torrance, California and now resides in Brownsburg, Indiana where his team is based out of. Cruz won his first Drag race in 1980 in a 1953 Kenworth. A go-kart champion in 1986 at Ventura, California Cruz began his career in the NHRA in 1987 in a Alcohol Dragster and broke the 300 mph mark for the first time in 1995 in a Funny Car. Aside from his ability to compete in the 300 mph world of Drag Racing, Cruz lists Dirt Track racing as one of his special interests. Having tried his hand at Midgets and Late Models, Cruz is very much looking forward to his chance to run a winged sprint car at Ohsweken. “I am very excited to get this opportunity to race one of Glenn’s sprint cars at Ohsweken” Cruz stated while confirming his appearance on June 22. “It is something that I have really wanted to do and have been talking to Glenn about it for a while. I am happy that we were able to come up with a date to fit it in this year”.
While plenty of tickets remain and are currently on sale to the general public for the World of Outlaws, the 8th Annual Canadian Sprint Car Nationals, and the Tony Stewart event at 1-888-720-7223, reserved seat tickets will not be required for the June 22nd show as they will remain as General Admission at the special event price of $20. Be sure to watch the official website of Ohsweken Speedway at www.ohswekenspeedway.com for more details of the Cruz Pedregon appearance including timing of a special “Meet and Greet” as details are finalized.
If you would like a sneak preview of the Sprint cars of Jamie Turner, Mitch Brown, Jim Huppunen and the Thunder Stock of Chris Dickie be sure to come to Brantford, Ontario April 25 through 28 for the speedway’s annual display at Lynden Park Mall. Also on display will be the Micro Sprint of Johnny Miller who will be racing weekly on Thursday nights this summer at Ohsweken’s “Little O”. Located at 84 Lynden Road, the display is open during normal Mall hours Wednesday through Saturday. Stop by; say hello and pick up your copy of the 2012 schedule along with information on all divisions that compete at your local speedway.