National: Ron August Jr Pomona preview

Double Dose of Fun in Store for August

Pomona, Calif. -- "It's a beautiful day for a ballgame--Let's Play Two," was the catch phrase of legendary baseball player Ernie Banks. Second generation drag racer, Ron August Jr. will take this to heart this weekend at the NHRA Auto Club World Finals held at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, Calif. He will compete in both Mitch King's Top Fuel Dragster and his families Ford Mustang bodied Top Alcohol Funny Car. Both entries will once again fly the colors of his long time sponsor, The Lesecure Co.

"To be completely honest, this weekend is all about having fun for us," noted the Pleasanton, Calif. based driver. "On Friday, we will be celebrating my father's 70th birthday and I'd love nothing more than to give him a great birthday present by putting both Lesecure Co. cars in the field. We know it'll be very difficult but I think we have a punchers chance."

Last week at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event held in Las Vegas, the family TAFC did not qualify for the tough eight car field. However, August admits they are perplexed by the sluggish performance of their normally quick and consistent race car. "We've stared at the computer data for days now and we just couldn't figure out why this thing is running like a pig. Maybe some cool California air is what this car is starving for. No matter what, we'll give it our best with the Flopper," said August.

August also is competing in his third NHRA National Event in the Top Fuel Dragster category driving one of Mitch King's Top Fuel Dragsters, tuned once again by Paul Smith. "This is a brand new car and I think we are starting to iron out the bugs. We know Paul has the tune up to crack the field and I'm starting to get the hang of driving this car. It's very different than driving the Funny Car. But, like I said earlier, we are out here to have fun and hopefully give this great team some good run data."

The weekend will be a busy one for August, as he plans to make a total of seven qualifying attempts combined with both cars. The Top Alcohol Funny Car will hit the famous 'Parker Avenue' quarter mile first on Thursday at noon. He will then jump into King's Top Fuel Dragster to compete at the 1000 foot distance a few hours later.

-credit: rajPR