Veteran nitro tuner Eric Lane has been named co-crew chief on the Snap-On Tools Dodge Charger of two-time NHRA Funny Car champion Cruz Pedregon for the 2020 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.

Lane, who has played a role in 30 national event victories and two world championships, has job-shadowed some of the sport’s most accomplished figures, including Austin Coil, Jimmy Prock, and Rahn Tobler. Most recently, he teamed with Bob Tasca III in reigniting his Funny Car program. Lane will be joined in his new role by co-crew chief Nick Casertano, with whom he worked at Tasca Racing.

“I am excited to join Cruz Pedregon Racing,” said Lane. “There is a strong team here and I think we’re ready to take that next step forward in 2020. I can’t wait to get to Phoenix to begin testing and getting the Snap-on Tools Dodge Charger back into Victory Lane this season.”

Pedregon, who has 35 career Funny Car victories and two championships (1992 and 2008), endured one of his career-worst seasons in 2019, earning just seven round wins and a lone semifinal appearance, resulting in a regular-season finish outside of the Countdown to the Championship top 10.

“Last season was about building a strong team foundation and bringing on Eric only strengthens that foundation,” said Pedregon. “We’ve had some talented people with us, but I think Eric also brings the right fit for our team. I think Nick, Eric and I will match up well to the competition and I look forward to taking the Snap-on Tools Dodge to the winner’s circle in 2020.”

Photo courtesy NHRA/National Dragster

Lane began his career with Gary Densham in 1998 after his graduation from Universal Technical Institute. Lane followed Densham to John Force Racing in 2001, where he had the opportunity to work and learn from Jimmy Prock.He later worked for Don Schumacher Racing alongside Tobler before joining the Tasca team in 2018.