Image Source: Mark Wolfe’s Facebook Page

Washington State Competition Eliminator racer Mark Wolfe did what many say could not be done – he qualified for an NHRA Pro Stock Race with a new (to him) car with no test passes on it. Wolfe, who has been very successful racing in Competition Eliminator with his turbocharged Ford Thunderbird, sold his Comp ride to help finance his dream of running Pro Stock. He leased an engine from Larry Morgan for a couple of races and the car was purchased from Frank Gugliotta. Wolfe said Gugliotta purchased the car new from RJ Race Cars last year and had only put 25 runs on it. Wolfe’s entire racing operation is a very low budget deal and Mark essentially does everything he can do to try and race.  The car was actually purchased for him to run by an undisclosed group of people whom Mark said wanted to remain anonymous.

While attending the NHRA race in Seattle, Wolfe spoke with Morgan and asked him about leasing an engine. Mark decided he would do whatever it would take to make his dream a reality. The cost was high, but Wolfe believed it was all worth it when he was able to make the field and line up against the great Mike Edwards in competition at the NHRA Las Vegas event.  Edwards ran low ET of the round for the win, while Wolfe made a respectable run in the loss.

The team feels they could’ve actually done better at that race; the crankshaft broke in the last qualifying session and a broken valve spring cost them some power on a previous session. They believe they could’ve qualified right behind Morgan, who provided plenty of help that weekend.

Wolfe and his team attended only the Las Vegas and Pomona NHRA races this season. They will likely campaign the car in Comp’s B/Altered class next season unless “something big happens” and they can continue competing in Pro Stock.