Some tracks just belong to certain people. For Fletcher Cox, Darana Motorsports Park in Benson, North Carolina, is shaping up to be that track. It was here that the former Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle claimed his first-ever Pro Street victory when the rain-delayed PDRA event at Bristol Dragway was completed in Benson. And it was at the same strip this past weekend, at another weather-delayed race (this time the PDRA Carolina Nationals), that Cox went back and did it again.
The win was no fluke. Cox came into the weekend riding serious momentum, having already captured the Drag Illustrated Winter Series Pro Street championship and the World Series of Pro Mod victory in Pro Street. Cox is no longer sneaking up on the competition, yet he and his team continue to deliver.
“My first career win here in Pro Street, obviously – my second one here,” Cox said after the final. “PDRA is the best, by the way. We can’t thank them enough. But man, my team is the greatest. Everybody worked their butt off all week.”
The weekend wasn’t without its challenges. Cox noted the team was shorthanded while trying to complete two events in one weekend, an obstacle to overcome that showed exactly what kind of culture he’s building around his operation.
“We’re short a guy, and we’ve all been busting balls, including myself, but it’s been fun,” Cox said. “The mojo is just keep going.”
That mojo doesn’t come from nowhere. It’s the byproduct of a program Cox has stacked with real talent, starting at the top. Veteran tuner and current NHRA Funny Car crew chief Phil Shuler is the leader for Killin’ Time Racing’s tuning program behind Cox’s “Training Day” ‘69 Camaro, proving just how seriously Cox is taking this second career.
“I just can’t be proud enough for this team,” Cox said. “We just keep going at it, keep going at it, and just taking this momentum on and hopefully carrying it to what we have next.”
And what comes next is significant. Cox confirmed after the win that the Carolina Nationals was likely his last time behind the wheel of “Training Day,” at least for now. He turned over the driving duties to longtime grudge racer Andy Mac, who made it to the final round in his debut at the PDRA East Coast Nationals, and who will continue to run for a PDRA Pro Street championship this season. Cox won’t be leaving the driver’s seat, however – he’s simply stepping up to the next level.
“I believe today was my last day driving ‘Training Day,’” said Cox. “I say my last day, but who knows. I may wheel it down the road. But for now, I’m handing the wheel to Andy and giving him a chance to run for a championship.”
Cox’s next challenge will be the world of PDRA Pro Boost with his screw-blown ’69 Camaro named “Fixed Income.” Cox, Shuler, and the KTR team are targeting a debut at the upcoming PDRA Mid-Atlantic Showdown at Virginia Motorsports Park, with plans to test the new car in the weeks leading up to it. The move is a natural escalation for a competitor who’s proven he can win at every level he’s entered.
“With me moving into Pro Mod and Pro Boost, we should debut the car in Virginia,” Cox said. “Me, Phil, and the whole KTR team, we’re trying to put a plan together so we can come out running up front.”
The world of Pro Boost is about as hard as it gets in drag racing today, where Cox will line up against names like Jason Harris, Melanie Salemi, Ty Tutterow, and Steve King. That’s exactly the kind of environment where Fletcher Cox tends to thrive. And with Phil Shuler in his corner, he’s walking into that environment with a fighting chance.
