For the Pedregons, rise to the top of NHRA has been a family affair

Many family racing dynasties begin with stories of encouragement.

For Cruz and Tony Pedregon, however, that was far from the case as their father - Flamin’ Frank Pedregon - actually discouraged them from racing due to the danger that surrounded any form of motor racing back in the 1960’s.

However, both Cruz and Tony are heading to the zMAX Dragway this weekend in Charlotte, N.C., both with two NHRA Funny Car championships under their belt, and new careers for each of them on the horizon.

While Tony will be calling the action for FOX Sports up in the booth, Cruz will be down in the garage and out on the drag-strip, tuning up his own Snap-on sponsored Cruz Pedregon Racing, Inc. Funny Car.

The first of the Pedregon’s four Funny Car championships came for Cruz back in 1992, although it would be another 16 years until he would win his second one. During that time, Cruz made the switch from hired driver to team owner and had secured a multi-million-dollar sponsor in the form of Advance Auto Parts, which rode with him down the drag strip en route to his 2008 championship.

“I didn’t want to be a driver without a ride,” explained the elder Pedregon. “I wanted to control my own destiny.”

Tony Pedregon, who also won the Funny Car championship back in 2003 and 2007, teamed with Cruz during the early 2000’s. While Cruz now finds himself doing it on his own, he looks back on the days with the competition with his brother as helping him advance his motor racing career.

“I think we kind of fed off each other,” explained Cruz. “There’s probably times we’d push each other unknowingly - he’d go out and win a race and I’d say, hey, I want to win one too.”

Cruz actually sat out the 2001 season and had a go in the commentary booth himself, although he then returned to the racing seat in 2002. Though his younger brother Tony - who now commentates to Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events on FOX Sports - is stomping into new grounds with his latest gig, Cruz explained that there wasn’t much need to offer him advice.

“One of Tony’s attributes, and he got this from our father, is he pays attention,” explained Cruz, who believes that Tony is a natural in interjecting the facts and figures he knows into the broadcast.

Both Cruz and Tony just broke in their 50’s and, with the unpredictability that is the world of motor racing, Cruz is unsure as to whether he will be able to race against one of the next generation of Pedregons. But, even if not, both should still be around the NHRA circuit for years to come.

“It’s possible,” said Cruz, when asked if he foresaw himself racing future relatives. But after passion - he added - a “non-selfishness to sacrifice” has been his greatest asset in running his 15-person team. “Driving is just a small part of the equation,” he adds, explaining that - if the opportunity or need ever arose for him to sign on another driver than himself to drive his car - he would take it.

“We were fans,” he added, explaining why they raced despite their father’s discouragement. “We loved the drivers, we loved the cars.”

Fortunately for Cruz and Tony, they haven’t just survived through the danger years of motor racing, but became champions through it. And Cruz hopes that there’s still another title to come.

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Cruz Pedregon is currently sponsored by Snap-on Tools in the NHRA Funny Car division.