Toronto Motorsports Park Nitro Nationals to Include Star Power!

In some very significant news for Canadian drag racing fans -- the 2011 drag racing schedule at Toronto Motorsports Park (Cayuga Dragway) will include an appearance by Cruz and Tony Pedregon, star drivers from within the NHRA Full Throttle big leagues. The popular Brothers will make a special appearance, each bringing their 7000+ HP nitro Funny Cars to the track July 1-3rd, for the Canadian Nitro Nationals.

The Pedregons will headline that event’s rather significant nitro program which will see a total of eight fuel burners (4 nitro Funny Cars and 4 Top Fuel dragsters) race.
Last year Toronto Motorsports Park hosted its inaugural Canadian Nitro Nationals and that independent event drew jam-packed record attendance. That result combined with the impact of now renewed NHRA sanctioning for the popular drag racing facility, has allowed track owner Uli Bieri to further enhance his 2011 event version.

“We at Toronto Motorsports Park are thrilled to have both Tony and Cruz Pedregon coming to the Nitro Nationals,” said Uli Bieri. “This will be a match race like no other! Anyone who knows Funny Car racing knows the Pedregon name. To see either one is a real treat, but to see them both is a race you don't want to miss!”

For Tony and Cruz Pedregon it will mark the first time the duo have raced in Canada side-by-side in their careers. The talented brothers each have NHRA Full Throttle World Championship rings to their credits; Cruz in 1992 & 2008 and Tony in 2003 & 2007. Both are star attraction drivers and fan favorites within the marquee 22-event NHRA Full Throttle Championship series.

Currently Cruz Pedregon sits in 4th place in NHRA Full Throttle Championship points standings with his Snap-On Tools sponsored and Toyota-bodied car.

Tony Pedregon, driver of the Nitro Fish/STP Chevy Impala, has had one previous engagement racing in Canada. As driver for the John Force Racing Castrol GTX team, Tony drove at St. Thomas Dragway, back in 1996.

“I'm very excited and honored to be invited to compete in Canada,” added Cruz Pedregon. “The last time I was there was in 1992 in Montreal (now defunct NHRA Grand National). I know the Canadian fans are great and I hope they'll come out and support our Snap-on Tools Toyota. Tony and I plan on putting on a great show and breaking the track records for speed and elapsed time. We'll make plenty of noise!”

The Pedregons, who are second generation drivers originally from California, currently base their race team operations from Brownsburg, Indiana.

(Bruce Biegler – DragRaceCanada.com Photos)