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PUTTING THE WRAPS ON POMONA, RACE #1
Pomona, CA – Terry Haddock and his Racegirl Motorsports Monte Carlo had what most would call a “bad weekend” at the NHRA season opener. Haddock only made one of four qualifying runs and failed to qualify for the Carquest Auto Parts Winternationals. But the team would tell you otherwise.
“We got our new chassis, which is the new chassis style, eight days before leaving for Pomona, “tells Haddock, “I tried to have everything built before the chassis arrived, but there was still a ton of work to do.” Haddock has one of the first new chassis’ that is built to the SFI spec 10.5 that will be required by the Denver race.
Haddock and the Racegirl Motorsports team got to make two out four qualifying attempts over the weekend. After firing the car on Friday’s qualifying run, the crew shut the car off due to an oil leak. “One of the oil fittings on the back of the motor had come loose and the only sensible thing to do was shut the car off,” says Doug Mason, crew member on the car, “if we had a few more minutes, we probably could have gotten it fixed and made the run, but we couldn’t hold (Gary) Densham up.”
The Racegirl Motorsports Monte Carlo made its first pass down the quarter mile on Saturday morning. The car launched hard, chattered the tires a little and took off down the track. At around 800 feet, the motor hiccupped and knocked the blower off. The team was really impressed with the early numbers the car laid down. “The early numbers were better than any pass we made last season,” said Haddock, “I think if it would’ve made it, it probably would’ve run an (4.)80.”
Terry Haddock and his team of all volunteer crew members will head to Phoenix for the Checker Shuck’s Kragen Nationals, February 22nd -24th. “We were able to fix a lot of issues we had in Pomona, including the computer (on the car) which was not giving us any data,” Haddock stated, “we also were able to get a lot more parts and pieces ready. I feel really confident going into Phoenix that she’ll run right down the track.”
TERRY HADDOCK RACING SADDENED BY LOSS OF FRIEND
Lake Elsinore, CA - Terry Haddock Racing was deeply saddened to hear of the loss of Jeff Pedersen, on Monday, December 17th, 2007, from a massive heart attack. Jeff passed away in his home late Monday evening. He is survived by his daughter and three grand daughters. Jeff lost his mom only three weeks before he passed away. He would have been 51 on December 22nd.
Jeff was a long time employee and great friend of Goldstar Asphalt Company, where his smiling face will be greatly missed. During his 12 years of service with Goldstar, he became more like a family member than an employee. "Jeff is already so missed," says Sharon Nelson of Goldstar Asphalt, "he loved drag racing and loved hanging out with you (the race team)."
You could often find Jeff helping out in the pits at as many of the West Coast races he could attend. "He just loved drag racing and enjoyed so much hanging out with the guys," says Terry Haddock, "he was always offering to help out in any way he could." Jeff's smiling face and lovable attitude will be sorely missed, especially as THR opens the season at Jeff's home track in Pomona, California.
WITH 2007 IN THE BOOKS, HADDOCK LOOKS TO 2008
Woodinville, WA - Terry Haddock and team have put the 2007 season to rest. It was a great year for the team, finishing 4th overall in IHRA and collecting their first Iron Man trophy. The team is eagerly anticipating the 2008 season, with some great new projects in the works.
Terry Haddock and team collected their first win in a nitro funny car in the 2007 season. "I couldn't have collected that win in Edmonton without the help of my awesome crew," exclaims Haddock, "and without the help of all the great sponsors who have helped us throughout the years." A big thank you goes out to Wheel Vintiques, Butler Built, Fram/Autolite, Clevite, Goldstar Asphalt, Baumgartner Racecars, 10,000 RPM, Race Girl, Commonwealth Electric Company, Chestnut Construction, ARP, The Lemon Leaf Cafe, Team Construction, MMS, Fast Track, Brent Harris Racing, High Velocity Systems, and anyone who has ever been involved with the car. Thank you!
"We've only been home for a few weeks," says Terry, "but we are already making big preparations for 2008! We can't wait to get back on the track." The team has a new shop in Washington which will allow the cars to be fully prepared for the new season. The team is working on upgrading a few things on the cars, which will hopefully improve their on and off track performance.
"The 2008 season is going to be a good one for us, " tells Haddock, "we will have our awesome core group of crew members back for the beginning of the season. It's been tough running without some of them, so that will be a huge help." Haddock's team consists of 6 main crew members: Brian Butler, Don Stevens, Dave Bryant, Doug Mason, Bambee Haddock and Terry himself. All of these crew members are volunteers and donate their time to helping the team.
Haddock and team collected their first win and a 4th place finish in IHRA. The team hopes to better their career best season in 2008. Terry plans on running the entire 11 race IHRA circuit and 5-6 NHRA races.
HADDOCK & THE MEGA WATT MACHINE TO TAKE ON VEGAS
Las Vegas, NV- Terry Haddock and team are looking forward to finishing the season strong at the final two NHRA races. Haddock has some new friends joining him onboard for the ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals, October 25-28. Onboard the new look “Mega Watt Machine” Dodge Stratus are Commonwealth Electric Company of the Midwest, Chestnut Construction, Global Solar and Advantech. Each of these companies has worked hand in hand with Global Solar and crew member, Doug Mason, over the last few months during the construction of Global Solar’s new building facilities.
“We are very excited about running this new body in Vegas,” says Terry Haddock, “We’ve been struggling a little bit with a new combination, but think we have it figured out. I can’t wait to see what she does out of the box on Friday. We are very excited about all of the sponsors onboard for this weekend, too. I really have to say thanks to (crew member) Doug Mason for putting this all together!”
Commonwealth Electric Company of the Midwest just celebrated their 20th year in business in July of this year. They presently have locations in Arizona, Nebraska and Iowa. Their corporate headquarters are located in Lincoln, Nebraska. The projected volume for the current year is over $100 million. Commonwealth Electric is involved in all types of commercial and industrial electrical construction projects. You name it, they probably do it. They are a full service electrical contractor, who performs all types of electrical construction services including design-build work and communication services. They perform new, remodel, and maintenance work and are a long time member of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). In addition to Commonwealth Electric Company’s building construction services they also provide electrical services for conventions and trade shows.
Chestnut Construction, founded in 1990, is based out of Tucson, AZ. They are one of the largest and most respected general contracting firms in the area. Chestnut works primarily with the private sector of local and national developers, as well as individual business owners, commercial real estate professionals, property managers and medical institutions. In 17 years, Chestnut has grown their company from less than one million dollars in annual sales volume to an average of seventy million annually. Chestnut has accomplished this by maintaining the highest standards of quality in our projects, by meeting deadlines and by pricing our work fairly and competitively. The Chestnut Construction team management approach, along with the quality of our field supervision and our cadre of qualified subcontractors, produces exceptional results.
Terry Haddock Racing is also pleased to welcome on board for not only the ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals, but the AAA of Southern California NHRA Finals as well, the Lemon Leaf and Vehicle Aerodynamics Consultants of Lancaster, CA. The Lemon Leaf Cafe in Historic Downtown Lancaster, California offers gourmet Greek and Mediterranean cuisine infused with west coast sensibility and presented in a laid-back airy atmosphere that's only appropriate considering Lancaster's close proximity to Los Angeles. In addition to dining, customers may browse a selection of unique and original gift ideas, both in-store and on-line at thelemonleaf.com. Vehicle Aerodynamics Consultants both teaches racers, enthusiasts and car designers the ins and outs of good vehicle design aerodynamically and can be consulted to analyze your vehicle project. Founded by Paul T. Glessner, M.S., Vehicle Aerodynamics Consultants has legacy in assisting Roger S. Penske, Don Prudhomme, NHRA, Art Center College of Design and the average consumer. More information on Vehicle Aerodynamics Consultants can be found on their website aeroseminars.com.
HADDOCK LOOKS UP TO THE WORLD FINALS
Rockingham, NC -After losing the second place points position to Jack Wyatt in Budds Creek, Maryland, Terry Haddock has set out after the IHRA World Finals in Rockingham, NC with a new enthusiasm. With some brand new help on board and some great new, parts, Haddock and team feel like they are ready to take on the nitro funny car class.
Terry Haddock Racing is proud to welcome a few new sponsors aboard for the remainder of the season. You might think he looks silly driving a pink stickered race car, but Haddock has the special privilege of riding along with none other than Penelope Pitstop and Racegirl for the last two races of the season. "Fast women are good company," jokes Haddock, "as long as she can hang on for the ride, I can take the teasing. It's a real pleasure to welcome Robert and Racegirl as part of our team.
Haddock is also proud to be a part o an up and coming racing entity, Fast Track Motorsports. Fast Track is out here trying to help save lives in case of an accident or emergency. Fast Track produces bracelets with a microchip inside that contains all of a person’s medical data. Then in the case of an accident or injury, emergency medical staff only needs to scan the bracelet to get all of a patient's medical history. Terry Haddock Racing is proud to be a supporter of this technology that can help save lives. A big thanks to Fast Track for their help and their innovative new product!
Team Terry Haddock Racing made their return to Rockingham Dragway for the season ending IHRA World Finals. Haddock made a soft run Friday night, at a 5.20 e.t. 275 mph. "We weren't real sure about what the track would hold, especially after this morning's rain," said Haddock, "so we set it up soft to just go down the track. Plus, I lifted at about 1000' when I thought she was hurting herself." The 5.20 e.t. puts Haddock 6th after the first qualifying round.
Team Terry Haddock Racing is looking forward to prime conditions on Saturday. "We got down the track like we needed to," says car chief Brian Butler, "we now know what we need to do on Saturday and to get ready for eliminations on Sunday." Haddock looks forward to putting the Racegirl Dodge Stratus solidly in Sunday’s field and giving Jack Wyatt a run for the second place points finish.
HADDOCK SAYS SO LONG TO THE GREMLINS
Milan, MI -After qualifying in the top half of the field at every event and winning the Rocky Mountain Nationals in Edmonton, AB, Haddock has been in a slump. Problem after problem has plagued the Lynnwood, WA team. But after a get healthy weekend in Cayuga, Haddock is optimistic about the remaining three races.
Team Terry Haddock Racing will make their return for Milan Dragway for the rescheduled Motor City Nationals this coming week. “We can’t wait to get on the track in Milan,” says Haddock, “we found the major problem that has been plaguing us since Epping and we are excited to run the car. We love the track and the people at Milan. Everyone there has been so wonderful to us. It should be a great weekend.”
Haddock lost in first round in Cayuga to Jack Wyatt. Both cars ran 5.01 e.t.’s, the quickest two runs of any cars for the weekend, but Wyatt slapped Haddock with an unheard of .000 reactions time. “I thought the timing system had malfunctioned,” joked Brian Butler, Car Chief on Haddock’s Nitro Funny car, “But all kidding aside, just as we knew Jack could run with us, he knew we would be right there with him.”
With the first round lost, Haddock moves into third in the IHRA Knoll Gas Nitro Jam Championship points. Haddock is holding third place with 515 points, while Wyatt is in second with 538 points. It would take a lot to for either driver to catch Dale Creasy, Jr, the current point’s leader and defending world champion, who holds onto first place with a commanding 818 points. “Stranger things have happen,” quipped Haddock, “but we are looking to make a move on Jack and even Peanut this weekend.”
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