It’s been a productive off-season for Cruz Pedregon and team, and he says he’s looking forward to a strong showing at the 60th Annual Winternationals. Cruz named Eric Lane co-crew chief in early December to join Nick Casertano and made the addition of team member Trace Cole to work on the body and tires of the Snap-on Dodge® Funny Car.

“We have everything in really great shape, and we’re looking at starting the 2020 NHRA season off right with the majority of our team returning. We have such a good chemistry going,” says Cruz. “With such a solid team in place, we’ve been hard at work on our equipment. Eric has been focused on improving our blower technology, and we’re adding a new chassis this season that will be our primary car.”

Cruz will debut a new paint scheme, helmet and fire suit in Pomona that pays tribute to a very special year for his primary sponsor. “We’ve had a close partnership with Snap-on for 25 years, and to be a quarter-century part of this 100-year-strong company is something we want to celebrate and showcase at the tracks around the country where the very best tools are critical to what we do.

“Before races, I’m proud to ride along with Snap-on franchisees where I get to meet their customers and talk about two of my favorite subjects – tools and drag racing. It’s a partnership that goes deeper than a paint scheme…it’s about decades of getting to be with the makers and fixers among us who’ve made this country and our sport great.”

Cruz got to introduce the sport and his California Charger Nostalgia Funny Car to fans in Saudi Arabia during an off-season trip there for the Riyadh Car Show. He also got to spend time with his daughter Ryah who will attend several races this year to cheer for her Dad.

On the side of Cruz’s car

On the side of Cruz’s car this week you’ll see the name of Snap-on Nitro Franchisee Richard Johnson. He’s had his Snap-on franchise for seven months after a career in the drilling business that took him to all but two of the 50 U.S. states. He says he wanted more time at home with his family, and his Snap-on franchise allows him to be his own boss. He’s been coming to the track here at Pomona since he was young and plans to be here this weekend with his wife and two children to spend some time in Cruz’s pit.