Cruz Pedregon

Early days

Pedergon was born in Torrance, CA, the son of drag racer Frank Pedregon, Sr. Pedregon began his career in 1980 behind wheel of a 1953 Kenworth truck. He raced go-karts in 1986 and was track champion at Ventura California Raceway. In 1987, he joined NHRA Competition, racing an Alcohol Dragster. After three years in Alcohol Dragsters, he moved to Alcohol Funny Cars. In 1991, Pedregon moved to Top Fuel Competition, racing a partial schedule. In 1992, Pedregon won the Funny Car Championship. He would be the only driver besides John Force to win it in the 1990s. He was also one of the first Funny Car drivers to record a five-second e.t. In 1994, he was the only Funny Car driver to defeat John Force in a final round the entire season, and qualified in the top half at 15 of the 18 national events. In 1995, Pedregon won the U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis for the third time in four years, having also won in 1992 and 1994. In 1996, Pedregon competed in a limited schedule, winning one race and finishing third in the final points standings. In 1997, Pedregon became the only motorsports driver to win the "Premio De Oro", an award for outstanding Hispanic Athletes. In 1998, Pedregon qualified first for a career best 12 races. In 1999, Pedregon formed his own team and raced a partial schedule in Funny Car.