Image courtesy NHRA/National Dragster

This weekend will be a mark on the calendar of two firsts for the world of drag racing. For the first time, the National Hot Rod Association will hold the New England Nationals in Epping, New Hampshire at New England Dragway. At this inaugural event, Dave Richards, rookie Funny Car driver, will also make his professional first appearance behind the wheel of the family-owned flopper.

The debut for the rookie Richards was originally scheduled to happen in Atlanta at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals earlier in the year. On the brink of his first official competitive Funny Car run, the Atlanta event was postponed thanks to the unpredictable weather, leaving Richards looking for another date to make his debut in the family’s Paul Richards Racing Chevrolet.

“We’ve always considered ourselves an East Coast team,” said Richards, “So when we looked at the schedule and thought about where we wanted to make this happen, the race at New England Dragway was obviously, for us, the one that made sense.”

Although disappointed at the missed attempt in Atlanta, the new date is one for the better according to Richards. “When I was trying to make my debut in Atlanta, my family couldn’t be there – my wife, Serena, is a big supporter and she knows this is my passion and is so cool about letting me do this. She’ll be there this weekend, and so will my parents, Gary and Peggy, along with my brothers Paul, Brian and Michael. Paul does such a great job running this team, and I really appreciate that he is allowing me the opportunity to drive. There are quite a few other drivers he could put in the seat, but he’s giving me a chance to do this, and I’m very grateful.” 

With racing in his blood from a very young age, Richards is anxious to be piloting the Monte Carlo Funny Car. “I think I’m more excited than nervous. But the nervousness will probably come as I’m putting on my fire suit. I’m looking forward to getting that first run out of the way because I haven’t made a full pass since January, but any jitters that I may have are going to be gone after that first pass.”

“I want to enjoy this race, most importantly,” said Richards. “I know that as a new driver, there might be the tendency to put so much pressure on myself that I’m not having fun – but I’ve been around this sport for a while now, so I think I know what to expect for the most part. My plan is to have a good time but also do a good job and make some respectable runs. In Englishtown (where the Paul Richards Racing Chevrolet was driven by Paul Lee of McLeod Racing Clutches) we were running pretty well and the car was consistent, so we are optimistic. To qualify the first time out would be unbelievable.”