Two-time NHRA Funny Car World Champion Cruz Pedregon heads into this weekend’s NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird Motorsports Park, eager to recapture the magic at a track that holds special meaning for him.
“Firebird Raceway is one of my top five all-time favorite races and tracks,” said Pedregon. “It’s where I won my first race in an Alcohol Dragster. Fast forward to this weekend in the Snap-on® Dodge® Hellcat® Funny Car, we’re looking for fast runs on the Raceway’s newly resurfaced track.”
Pedregon and his Snap-on team faced weather challenges earlier this season, disrupting testing opportunities. Despite that, Pedregon remains optimistic about the car’s performance and the team’s readiness.
“We hoped to do test runs in Gainesville, but the weather didn’t cooperate,” Pedregon noted. “So, when we’re out west, we look forward to getting our full complement of runs in to get the car consistent. The team is fired up, and so am I. The group we’ve put together, plus all the new components on the car, has us very excited. We’re ready for the season, and I feel really good about the team as a whole.”
This weekend’s race also carries personal significance for Pedregon, whose family roots run deep in the region.
“One thing I love about this race is its close proximity to where my dad was born and raised in nearby El Paso, Texas,” Pedregon explained. “We get a lot of family and friends who attend, making their way from Western Texas through New Mexico to the track. It’s a great opportunity for them to come watch us race, and there’s nothing like having family cheer us on and support our team.”
Adding to the excitement, Snap-on Nitro Franchisee Jason Tatarski’s name will appear prominently on the side of Pedregon’s car this weekend. Tatarski, who grew up attending races in Pomona with his father, will meet Pedregon for the first time during a special ride-along on Thursday, visiting local automotive shops owned by NHRA fans.
Tatarski shared, “One of my favorite things about my Snap-on® franchise is that I get to include my family in my work, and my children get to see what it’s like to be a business owner.”
With strong franchisee support and a fired-up team, Pedregon is determined to deliver a memorable performance.
“Snap-on has a great group of franchisees around the track supporting our double Pit-side hospitality,” Pedregon added. “We’re going to make sure we’re hitting on all eight cylinders and letting it rip, trying to win one for the home crowd.”
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This story was originally published on March 17, 2025. 
