NHRA
Buddy Perkinson Saturday report
Gainesville Gatornationals
Edited: Jun 1, 2018, 12:48 PM
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PERKINSON HANGS ON TO NO. 16 SPOT IN GAINESVILLE QUALIFYING
Pro Stock Driver Buddy Perkinson
Photo by: Ted Rossino
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (Mar. 12, 2011) - Buddy Perkinson held onto the 16th position after today’s final qualifying runs. In an extremely competitive class, such as Pro Stock, qualifying can sometimes be a difficult assignment. Perkinson, the 19-year-old driving a Ford Mustang for Cunningham Motorsports this year, seems to ride as the team’s good luck charm.
At the end of the 2010 season, Cunningham Motorsports had qualified for a total of four races and did not achieve a single first round win. A strong team, respected crew chief (Bob Glidden) and promising driver have since then united to form a hopeful operation for owners Jim and Gloria Cunningham and sponsor GCPay.com.
“You’re only as good as your weakest link” is a saying that sticks in the minds of the newfound Cunningham Motorsports team. Over the off-season, many crew changes were made creating acceptance, along with a genuine team atmosphere.
Dean Underwood, Cunningham Motorsports crew member says, “Last year there were people on the team who singled themselves out from everyone else and we never really felt like a team. Now, we have Bob (Glidden) back with us and we finally are a team.”
“When we all went testing together for the first time, Bob was with us, the guys from the shop were with us and we actually ended up running some good numbers. Then, qualifying in Pomona for the first race of the season gave us so much more momentum to keep doing better and continuously grow,” added Underwood.
Given that the Cunningham Motorsports Pro Stock team has qualified in both 2011 nationals events to-date, having never qualified back-to-back races in Cunningham Motorsports history, not only helps the team bond, but builds confidence in the 19-year-old driver.
Perkinson says, “I’m just excited that we qualified. In Pro Stock, it doesn’t really matter where you qualify as long as you can get down the track and be competitive, 16th or number one. Yes, there is a disadvantage and an advantage, but anyone can win from any spot in Pro Stock, so just making the field is a big accomplishment for this team.”
“We struggled all weekend long; couldn’t control our wheel speed off the launch. For us to come out here for the second race in a row now and qualify, that means a lot to me and I know it means a lot to the guys in the shop. For our sponsors, especially GCPay.com who is sponsoring us for the Gatornationals this weekend, we needed to qualify and we’ll need to put on a good show tomorrow as well,” added Perkinson.
Pre-race ceremonies will begin at 10:00a.m. Sunday, followed by final eliminations.
-source: cunningham motorsorts
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