Buddy Perkinson Ready For Joliet Weekend

Perkinson And Cunningham Team Prep For Chicago

The Cunningham Motorsports team tests in Martin, Mich. before traveling to Joliet, Ill.

Buddy Perkinson

Photo by: Ted Rossino

For the first time ever, Rookie Buddy Perkinson will compete at Route 66 Raceway for the 14th annual O’Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals, July 7-10. Perkinson, who began racing Junior Dragsters when he was 9 years old, has never competed at Route 66 Raceway.

For Cunningham Motorsports, race week began on Monday. The team traveled from owner Jim Cunningham’s shop in Crofton, Md., to Martin, Mich. for testing.

“Testing went well. The air was good in the morning hours, but got worse as the days progressed. We have some new parts that we’re trying out to see what works best in our car, and a few different set-ups as well,” Perkinson said. “Last year, the Joliet race was a month earlier than it is this season. It will be interesting to see how everything works out.”

The team last competed in Norwalk, Ohio for the fifth annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals. After rainy weather left Norwalk competitors without two very valuable qualifying sessions, Greg Stanfield ran a 6.622 ET (to Perkinson’s best, 6.625 ET) and thus, bumped the 19-year-old out of the show by .003 of a second. Perkinson was left in the 17th spot for the weekend.

“We should have a great weekend in Chicago. We’ll have family and friends at the track all weekend and I’ve never raced at Route 66 Raceway before so I’m excited for that. Hopefully we got all of the kinks out during testing, that way when Friday and Saturday roll around we will be able to use those four sessions to qualify well and be ready to go some rounds on Sunday,” Perkinson added.

By: cunningham motorsport