ESPN

Moderator

  (3:59 PM)

Hey, everyone. Cruz is here and ready to take your questions.

Cruz Pedregon

  (4:00 PM)

Hi to all the race fans.

Ernest Sepulveda San Marcos TX

As a long time Cruz fan I'm glad to see you enjoying more success lately. I just wanted to know if your sponsership is secure for much longer and if we might see a second car soon? Thanks

Cruz Pedregon

  (4:01 PM)

My sponsorship -- a signed a multiyear agreement that we're right in the middle of that. I'll be flying the Advance Auto Parts for at least two more years and hopefully more. I'm signed thru '05 and we hope to add to that as we get closer to that time. A two-car team is very possible in the near future ... stay tuned.

Marvin, West Palm Beach, Florida.

Cruz, any truth to the rumor that you and your brothers will be teaming up?

Cruz Pedregon

  (4:02 PM)

There's some truth to that. That's been a goal of ours for many, many years. Hopefully that will happen in the near future. I would say stay tuned for that as well.

Maria - Cali

Hey Cruz, what type of music do you listen to?

Cruz Pedregon

  (4:03 PM)

I listen to everything from '60s rock to '70s disco ... pretty much everything except country and rap. (Favorites include) Beatles and Elton John ... and the BeeGees, so I go all over the place.

Toby (St. Louis)

How difficult is it to wait out the Indy postponement -- what does it do to team schedule and preparations?

Cruz Pedregon

  (4:05 PM)

For us, it's a good thing b/c we started off on the wrong foot. It will help us prepare the car more. We're still trying to recover from the Western Swing. The delay is not going affect us -- we'll still have a great show. I do feel bad for the fans that were here and had to leave. Not everyone will be able to come back, but we'll put on a good show this weekend to make up for it.

John Huss, Murfreesboro, TN

What is the difference in your current team chemistry from the championship (1992)year team, and can this current team contend for a championship?

Cruz Pedregon

  (4:06 PM)

Yes, we can contend. The team I had in '92 was a team that had been together (even though I was new) -- Ed Mcculloch and Bernie Federly had developed that team and had years of chemisty before I got there. I added a little something to it to help spark it and we went on to win the championship. The only thing my team lacks now is time together and I'm doing everything that I know how to do to build this team into a championship team. It just takes time.

Erin

Do you have a specific plan or planned steps to bring your team to championship contention?

Cruz Pedregon

  (4:09 PM)

Yes, and we're in the process of doing that now. No. 1 is the right people and I believe I have the right people. I've tested more than ever, also. That's the other part of the equation. And just making sure that the funding is there. That's my job and that's what I've done. Thanks to Advance Auto Parts and all of my associate partners, we're making sure we have the proper funding. Most teams have the big budgets and you just have to match that and hope the little things make the difference. We're getting there -- I would have hoped to win the title this year, but next year with the momentum weve built this year, we're going to try to carry that through and win the championship next year.

shane lamb australia

just wanted to say good luck this weekend been a long time fan and its good to see you back at the top of your game! if you meet bazemore kick his arse!then go win this thing its yours.

Cruz Pedregon

  (4:09 PM)

Thanks a lot, Shane. We'll do that.

Kevin, Buffalo, NY

Cruz, Are the bodies of Funny Car made of carbon fiber? How much do they cost the team

Cruz Pedregon

  (4:10 PM)

They are made of a composite that has carbon fiber and other materials for strength. F/C bodies w/paint are in the neighborhood of $30,000 to $40,00 per body. Not cheap, for sure.

Grant

Cruz-What kind of training/fitness routine do you have? Do drag races even need to be in good shape for five or six second passes?

Cruz Pedregon

  (4:11 PM)

Yes, they do. The better shape makes you more aware ... it's five seconds, but it's a very high stress, high action five seconds. What has to be in better shape than our bodies is our ability to perform under pressure. It's more of a mental game, but it doesn't hurt to be in physical shape. I myself try to walk a lot and just do situps and pushups in my hotel room during the course of the weekend.

Cruz Pedregon

  (4:12 PM)

I'd like to go to the gym every day, but I don't have the time.

John Germantown WI.

Hi Cruz.Was wondering why most teams only run special paint jobs for only one weekend.It must cost a small fortune to repaint a body and only run it one weekend. Thanks

Cruz Pedregon

  (4:13 PM)

Yes, it does. Paint jobs are in the neighborhood of 8 to 10k by the time you pay for graphics. The primary reason is that the primary sponsor wants to maintain their primary colors. They feel there's a certain equity and fan recognition -- they want the fans to recognize the original colors, so promotions only go one or two races at the most.

Mike Cooley Schererville, In.

Being a big fan of NHRA, I promote it to friends whenever possible. Do you forsee a time when the sport may become too big and therefore lose its "intimacy"? Such as less access to the pits and drivers.Thank you.

Cruz Pedregon

  (4:15 PM)

No, I don't think so. The intimacy we have with the fans has been there since Day 1 and will continue to be there. We feel it's an important part of what makes our sport unique and we will continue to offer the up close and personal atmosphere currently at NHRA Powerade events.

Lester Wright, Catlettsburg, Ky.

I know this is a sore subject for everyone, but I have watched you race for many years, and I know that John Force and yourself is a strong rivalry, but I have to ask, has the opportunity ever presented itself for you to drive for John?Would you join Tony and the bunch if you had the chance?Inquiring minds want to know.Thanks, and keep up the good work.

Cruz Pedregon

  (4:18 PM)

Never say never, but I'd probably have to say no on this one because I'm at a point in my life where I've driven for team owners before and moved on from that. I want to build a team and someday step out of the cockpit as Prudhomme, Amato and Bernstein have done. I'll be 40 this month and I don't want to be a driver in my forties b/c I've made the step into ownership and I feel like it's working. If I had to do it over again, John Force would be the type of owner I'd like to drive for. He's very dedicated and has the right idea in terms of ownership. If I could go back in time ...But at this point, I'm off and running on my own.

Benji

Hi. What would you say is the best way to break into drag racing? What type of cars/leagues/schools should prospective drivers be looking at? Thanks!

Cruz Pedregon

  (4:19 PM)

You've got to follow your heart. There is no certain car or category I'd pursue more than another. It's where do you want to wind up. Unfortunately, these days it's not really what you want to do , but rather it's what you can do and what's attainable rather than picking and choosing.

Mary

Drivers and equipment and crew and such, how much does it cost to run a race team each year?

Cruz Pedregon

  (4:21 PM)

It costs between $2 million and $3 million to adequately fund the type of operation I'm currently involved with. That's salaries and the whole shootin' match. And I don't pay myself very much, either. Everyone has to make a living, but I don't pay myself very much.

Rob Seattle, Wa.

Cruz, Have you secured sponsership for 2004, and will you run the full schedule. Also, there is a huge lack of race teams these days, which means we, as fans don't get to have many chances of seeing fuel cars run at our local tracks. Do you think that in the future there may be hope of lining up some races that aren't part of the Powerade Series. Thanks, Rob

Cruz Pedregon

  (4:24 PM)

I answered the sponsorship ..I'm a big fan of match racing. The problem we run into as owners that we have crew members and rig drivers that need days off and we're kind of maxed out for time. It's very difficult to deviate from the schedule and do those match races. I'm thinking of a way to do it that maybe I'd have a second car with a second transporter -- maybe the not too distant future, but right now I don't really have a further answer for that.

Cruz Pedregon

  (4:24 PM)

Thanks for submitting your questions -- they were all great, informed questions. I'd like to do it again sometime.