So it’s a good damn thing I did go on my own, because I’d be ‘Cruz, the guy that raced in the ’90s’ and is long forgotten.”. It’s expected. It has been tough. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Meanwhile, DSR says it continues to work on 2021 sponsorship packages for Top Fuel pilot Tony Schumacher and Funny Car driver Jack Beckman, as well as Johnson. “I used to think, ‘Man, if I could just get the right budget together and buy certain parts and pieces of equipment — boom, I’m good.’ Well, it has taken me several years to realize it takes more than the equipment. As a single-car team, you’re challenged. “Times have changed, but the one thing that hasn’t changed is people – you still have to have good people,” he added. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. His way was to do your own thing, own your own business and not be a follower. I’m not going to put a timetable on driving. “I could see myself more as an owner and still being out there with my car. He taught me the leader mentality, not the follower mentality. And it takes more than a nice race shop. Collins will be joined at Cruz Pedregon Racing by the entire crew that powered Johnson to four final rounds and three wins in 2020. Are you also wondering how much money is Cruz Pedregon making on Youtube, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram? 1992 & 2008 NHRA Funny Car Champion Twitter: @CruzPedregon Instagram: Cruzerp71 Pedregon drove for Larry Minor and then for Gibbs, but he always had something else in mind. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. With 46 years in sports journalism, Susan Wade is a veteran drag-racing writer with 21 seasons at the race track. But if two-time NHRA Funny Car champion Cruz Pedregon were a singer, he’d open every performance with the iconic Frank Sinatra hit “My Way.”. SHOPS TOURS by Monday Morning Racer stopped in at Cruz Pedregon Racing in Brownsburg, IN - the hub for nitro. It’s a big deal anytime you can win, but it would be an even bigger deal if we can pull it off and do it our way.”. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. On Sunday, he called it a furlough. ", “To say that I’m thrilled about John Collins and his entire crew coming on board with our Snap-on Dodge would be the understatement of the year,” said Pedregon, a two-time Funny Car world champion. Cruz Pedregon (born September 19, 1963) is a 2-time NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Funny Car Champion from Torrance, California.He is the brother of Tony Pedregon, also a two-time Funny Car Champion. Collins most recently led the Make-A-Wish Nitro Funny Car team and Johnson to a second-place points finish in the 2020 season. However, he calculated that he won’t stay as long as 71-year-old John Force. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Tony Pedregon (born March 8, 1965) is a 2-time NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Funny Car Champion from Torrance, California. Apparently his crew chief and crew weren't waiting around to see how it all shook out. It takes more than a nice truck and trailer. I’ve got probably the most solid team, top to bottom. “Even the last couple of year when I was driving for Joe Gibbs, I had already started buying equipment.