Tucson: Dennis Taylor preview

Taylor looking to bounce back in Tucson.

TUCSON, Ariz. - NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car pilot Dennis Taylor is looking to bounce back from a DNQ at Phoenix during this weekend's Division 7 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Southwestern International Raceway in Tucson, Ariz. Valvetrain problems held Taylor and his Cooner Wire backed Camaro from reaching their full potential in Phoenix, but feels that those problems are a thing of the past now, and plans to have the 'Way Cool!' entry on 'full tilt' this weekend.

Taylor, who runs his racing safety equipment company, Taylor Motorsports Products, in Anaheim, Calif., recently tested at "The Strip" in Las Vegas, and experienced none of the problems they had in Phoenix. With that behind them, Taylor and his team are looking forward to this weekend.

"At Phoenix, we had nothing but mechanical problems," said Taylor. "We seemed to be one of several cars in Phoenix that had a 'pushrod disease' if you will. We got that problem straightened out, and actually went to Las Vegas a few weeks ago and tested, and we learned quite a bit from our test session. Hopefully, we are all back on track here. Phoenix was quite embarrassing since we didn't qualify."

Taylor cites that Southwestern International Raceway is one of the best divisional tracks in the country, and should hold some pretty good numbers this weekend, despite it's high altitude.

"I think a couple of guys ran high 5.70's here before they slowed the blowers down," said Taylor. "High 5.70's might be attainable. I think if you can run consistent low 5.80's on raceday, you might even see yourself in the final round."

"I've ran the divisional in Tucson the past couple of years," Taylor continued. "The facility is certainly first class. It's definitely a national event caliber racetrack, with concrete guard walls, excellent lighting, and good pits. They really promote the race, they bring in a really good crowd, and they really treat us nice. Everybody appreciates the fact that we are there. Although this race is actually on Easter Sunday, I want to thank my family and all the families of the racers for letting them come out here and race this weekend. I would have liked to spend it with my family, but that's what the schedule says, so that's where we'll be. It should be a good weekend."

Qualifying begins Saturday for the Top Alcohol Funny Cars, with three sessions. Final eliminations will conclude the event on Sunday. Stay tuned to InsideTopAlcohol.com for daily recaps of the action from Tucson.

-TaylorMotorsports.com-