Reading: Gary Densham preview

Densham readies for Reading READING, Penn. (August 15) - No where else in America can you see nitro-burning Funny Car's and Amish carriage's in one setting. And no one knows better than veteran Funny Car driver Gary Densham, who has been competing ...

Densham readies for Reading

READING, Penn. (August 15) - No where else in America can you see nitro-burning Funny Car's and Amish carriage's in one setting. And no one knows better than veteran Funny Car driver Gary Densham, who has been competing at Maple Grove Raceway over 30 years.

"We've never been to a final round here in Dutch country," Densham said. "Maybe now that the race has been moved up on the schedule, we can make a little headway and go some rounds on Sunday."

Despite a tough season on the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing tour, Densham feels his Torco Racing Fuels / Racebricks Collectibles Impala SS is finally at a stage where a little luck will go a long way. Nothing would please him more than to collect a Wally at this weekend's 23rd annual Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals.

"Let's face it," Densham said. "We need some breaks to come our way. The car is running good but it's gonna be a tough weekend. There are some solid running contenders that show up only at this race, and that just adds to an already competitive field.

"Heck, there are teams out here now that have all of the money and some of the best crew chiefs in the world and even they find themselves on the outside looking in on Sunday.

Densham feels it's only a matter of time now that things start turning around when it comes to Sunday's final eliminations.

"Our goal now is to qualify better on Friday night, when conditions are usually best," Densham said. "We're only talking about a few thousands of a second that makes the difference between being placed 15th in the field and seventh or eighth. Every week you've got to set new goals and that's what we're shooting for here."