Driver Profile - Johnny Ahten

Driver: Johnny Ahten

Car: Island Renovations/Combust Filters A/Fuel Dragster – 1996 Uyehara

Age: 42

Hometown: Santa Clarita, California

Occupation: Los Angeles County Fire Captain

Family: Wife-Monica, Two sons; Owen 9 and Eli 7

Accomplishments: I have an incredible family and a job where I’m excited to go to work.

First race car: NSP Top Eliminator West dragster

Favorite movies: Caddyshack, Anchorman, 40 Year Old Virgin, Couple’s Retreat - I think you see the pattern!

Favorite music: I like all music.  Angels and Airwaves is my Fave right now.

Favorite TV shows: Anything Shark Week, Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series!

Favorite sports teams: Sun Devil Football

Favorite racetrack: Pomona

When I'm away from the racetrack: I’m usually carting the boys to and from sports or at the shop.

Favorite racing memory: Getting a victory hug from my Dad.

Top accomplishment in racing: Winning the World Finals.

Toughest opponent: Chris Demke or Joey Severance

Favorite opponent: See Above. I can’t beat them if I don’t race them.

Favorite drivers outside TAD: Jim Dunn, The Snake, Doug Kalitta

Personal heroes: Al Ahten (my dad)

I race because: it’s in the blood. I don’t know how to not race.

I race TAD/TAFC because: We’re not smart.

Pre-race rituals or superstitions: I do everything the same, and I don’t mind getting in the car early because it’s the only time I get to sit down. 

Nobody knows that I: carry a Mark Niver tribute sticker in my fire suit pocket.

If I didn't race I would: be an unhappy spectator.

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ahtenracing
Twitter username: @ahtenracing
Instagram username: @johnnyahten / @ahtenracing

Courtesy of Costabile Productions

Driver Profile - Ashley Sanford

Driver: Ashley Sanford

 

Car: Gelish/Lucas Oil A/Fuel Dragster

 

Age: 20

 

Hometown: Fullerton, CA

 

Occupation: Server 

 

Family: Shane (Dad), Michele (Mom), Sydney (sister), and our five dogs, Riley, Woody, Bella, Lily, and Sophie!

 

Accomplishments: Living my dream racing dragsters at over 270 mph with my family's support!

 

First race car: Honda ATV

 

Favorite movies: All of the Disney Classics, Girl Interrupted, and anything with Will Ferrell. 

 

Favorite music: Classic Rock

 

Favorite TV shows: Breaking Bad, Sons of Anarchy, and American Horror Story.

 

Favorite sports teams: San Francisco 49ers

 

Favorite racetrack: The Strip at the Las Vegas Motor speedway

 

When I'm away from the racetrack I: am either working or spending time with family, friends and my dogs!

 

Favorite racing memory: Getting to race my dad in the sand drags! He was in a top fuel dragster and I was in a blown alcohol dragster, and I won!

 

Top accomplishment in racing: Getting our Gelish dragster to qualify 2nd at a national event!

 

Toughest opponent: Couldn't say I have one. I like to treat every pass no different from any other. Just focus on myself and hope we get the win light! 

 

Favorite opponent: Chris Demke – he's an awesome guy!

 

Favorite drivers outside TAD: Tony Schumacher, Alexis DeJoria, and Erica Enders.

 

Personal heroes: My dad; he's the most hard-working and determined guy I know. He's helped make my dreams come true and has always believed in me; he's my rock!

 

I race because: There is something addicting about the way it feels to sit in a 4500 HP dragster, from getting strapped in to the launch. It feels like home to me! 

 

I race TAD because: I want to continue to push and challenge myself in racing. TAD is the perfect playground for that.

 

Pre-race rituals or superstitions: High five all of my awesome crew guys before every run and always get in on the right side!

 

Nobody knows that I: Cheered in high school – I traded in my pom poms for a fire suit no problem!

 

If I didn't race I would: Be totally lost! I would always have to be involved with racing, whether I'm in the seat or not. 

 

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AshleySanfordDragRacing

Twitter username: @ashleyracergirl

Instagram username: ashleyracergirl

Website: http://ashleysanforddragracing.com/

Top Alcohol News photos

 

Driver Profile - Mia Tedesco

Driver: Mia Tedesco

Car: NGK/Schepel Auto Group/C.A.R.S. Protection Plus A/Fuel Dragster

Age: 20

Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Occupation: Race car driver, President of We Find Parts

Family: Father – Michael, Mother – Cindy, Sister - Natalie

First race car: Jr. Dragster

Favorite music: Country

Favorite sports teams: Pittsburgh Penguins

Favorite racetrack: Palm Beach International Raceway and Beech Bend Raceway

When I'm away from the racetrack I: Train in the gym, work at CARS Protection Plus and We Find Parts, and help work in the shop on all of our other 7 race cars.

Favorite racing memory: Winning my first race when I was 17 in Florida.

Favorite drivers outside TAD: Jason Lynch

I race because: I love how you can’t perfect the sport. You are constantly learning and trying something new. The competition is always top of the line and relentless. You always have to do your best and be on your game.

I race TAD because: it was a class I always thought would be awesome to run, but never thought the opportunity would come, and when it did I couldn’t pass it up.

If I didn't race I would: I never could imagine a life without drag racing. I would have to be involved in some way. But I would keep busy helping run my father’s business and my own.

Facebook page: Mia Tedesco
Fan Page: Miss Mia Tedesco and Tedesco Racing
Twitter username: @miatedesco
Instagram username: miss_mia194
Website: miatedesco.com

Driver Profile - Dave Hirata

Steve Neumann photo

Driver: Dave Hirata

Car: NGK/Schepel Auto Group A/Fuel Dragster

Hometown: Lowell, IN

Occupation: Collision/service/restoration/custom shop owner

Family: Parents – Kenny and Chiyo, girlfriend - Molly

Accomplishments: 5x national event winner, multi-time divisional event winner, 2x U.S. Nationals runner-up

First race car: A/Fuel car

Favorite movies: Bloodsport

Favorite music: Anything violent

Favorite TV shows: ESPN and the Food Network

Favorite sports teams: New York Yankees

When I'm away from the racetrack I: Work 24/7, try to go to as many concerts as I can, and find different places to eat.

Top accomplishments: Working at the family business since 1982, working with my family, and being able to win national and divisional events.

Toughest opponent: Whoever is in the other lane, because no one is not tough.

Favorite opponent: Bill Reichert; I consider him to be one of the best ever, and we want to race the best.

Favorite drivers outside TAD: Sean Bellemeur

Personal heroes: My parents and Roland Leong

I race because: genetically I didn't have a chance; my dad always raced. Also, I like the challenge of it and the people that we've met.

I race TAD because: when I started racing I wanted to run nitro. That was right at the time when they [A/Fuel cars] would run really fast or really slow. You had 100% nitro, and it seemed like there was a whole lot more you could do. The biggest reason was because I wanted to run something on nitromethane.

Pre-race rituals or superstitions: I tend to wear the same clothes at every race. If I'm driving there's a couple things in the car that I try to do every time. I have a Saint Christopher's medal on my steering wheel. When we start the car I put my finger on it. If my girlfriend is there we do this thing that I call belly bumps so we have a goofy ritual there.

Nobody knows: my age – most people don't get it. I guess it's a compliment, or compliment to my parents.

If I didn't race I would: look to work on someone else's race car, just to be out there. I would spend more time working on my personal cars. I'd probably keep my lawn a little more groomed.

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hirata-Motorsports/128855993831990
Twitter username: @davehirata
Instagram username: davehirata
Website: www.hiratamotorsports.com

Steve Neumann photo
 

Driver Profile - Corey Michalek

David Smith photo

Driver: Corey Michalek

Car: Champion Spark Plugs A/Fuel Dragster

Age: 26

Hometown: Louisville, OH

Residence: New York City

Occupation: Art director, Wondersauce

Family: Parents John and Lisa Michalek, brother Kyle Michalek, and girlfriend Christine Kotter

Accomplishments: Won TAD debut at 2014 NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, first “Search for a Champion” contest winner, 2007 IHRA AFC world champion as a Mark Thomas crew member

First race car: Super Comp dragster

Favorite movie: Inception

Favorite music: It’s always changing depending on the mood. I spend about 45 minutes a day listening to music walking to and from work and I have something on pretty much all day when I’m there.

Favorite TV shows: NHRA ESPN2 broadcasts, Big Bang Theory, and Moonshiners

Favorite sports teams: Louisville Leopards, Ohio State Buckeyes, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Cleveland Browns

When I'm away from the racetrack I: Work 10 hours a day at my normal job and then I go home and work into the morning on preparing for our upcoming races and sponsorship presentations for next season.

Favorite racing memory: Getting to be out at the track with Kyle

Top accomplishment in racing: Winning the 2014 NHRA Four-Wide Nationals. The drivers that we had to go through to get there are some of the most respected wheelmen in the business and it was awesome even to just get the chance to line up against them.

Toughest opponent: I’m still way too new to single anyone out. I respect anyone that can bring a car to the starting line.

Favorite opponent: I haven’t had the chance to compete against Kyle yet, but I think we’re both looking forward to that.

Favorite drivers outside TAD: Clay Millican, Mark Thomas, Pat Dakin

Personal heroes: Both of my grandfathers for their service to the country.

I race because: I’m an adrenaline junkie, I love the competition, and the racetrack brings our family together.

I race TAD because: It is the premier class of sportsman drag racing in the world and it’s one step away from our ultimate goal.

Pre-race rituals or superstitions: Checking the throttle stop, wheelie bar, and parachutes and stretching my lower back one last time before hopping in the car. Racecars aren’t built for tall people!

Nobody knows that I: Eat at least a half of a pack of Oreos at a time, sometimes the whole thing.

If I didn't race I would: I really enjoy my job outside of racing so I think I would be able to function…but let’s not eliminate racing.

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/michalekbrothersracing
Twitter username: @michalekracing
Instagram username: @michalekracing
Website: http://www.michalekbrothersracing.com

David Smith photo

Driver Profile - D.J. Cox

Driver: D.J. Cox

Car: Anderika Racing Top Alcohol Funny Car

Age: 34

Hometown: Whiteford, MD

Occupation: Project Manager

Family: Parents – Darrel and Mary

Accomplishments: 3 Runner-up finishes in Lucas Oil Series TAFC competition

First race car: Jr. Dragster

Favorite movies: The Hangover, Bad Santa (I laugh every time), and American Nitro

Favorite music: Anything with a good beat

Favorite TV shows: NHRA Lucas Oil Series ESPN2 coverage

Favorite sports teams: Baltimore Ravens

When I'm away from the racetrack I: Kayak, and work out at Get Fit Boot Camp

Favorite racing memory: First full pass in a Funny Car, WHAT A RIDE!!!

Top accomplishment in racing: 3 runner-up finishes in TAFC Lucas Oil Competition

Toughest opponent: Frank Manzo. That guy beat up on me pretty bad!

Favorite opponent: Frank Manzo always brought out the best in me. I'm going to miss racing that team.

Favorite drivers outside TAD: Chrissy Walter-Cox

Personal heroes: My Mom & Dad

I race because: The competition, the feeling of shifting two gears, and hitting the 'chutes. There is no other place I would rather be than strapped in a Funny Car!

I race TAFC because: Driving a Funny Car has been a dream of mine since I was 8 years old.

Pre-race rituals or superstitions: Right boot on first, left glove on first.

Nobody knows that I: Lean over the injector and talk to my car before every race.

If I didn't race I would: Join the circus. That was my dream until I was 8.

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/anderika-racing

 

Photos courtesy of David Smith/PSA and D.J. Cox

Driver Profile - JP Gutierrez

Driver: JP Gutierrez

Car: MGM Grand Detroit Top Alcohol Dragster

Age: 24

Hometown: Berkley, MI

Occupation: Engine Builder and Engine Machinist

Family: Brother – Phil, Mother – Laura, Father - David

Accomplishments: Owning and Building our Top Alcohol Dragster Operation

First race car: Jr. Dragster

Favorite movies: Hollywood Knights, Smokey and The Bandit, Cannon Ball Run

Favorite music: The Doors, CCR, AC/DC

Favorite TV shows: Archer, Modern Family, Family Guy, Elementary

Favorite sports teams: Detroit Lions

When I'm away from the racetrack I: Work on engines during the day at work and the race car at night.

Favorite racing memory: Working on the Yas Marina Top Fuel Dragster with my brother in Abu Dhabi.

Top accomplishment in racing: Getting my Top Alcohol Dragster Driver License

Toughest opponent: Marty Thacker

Favorite opponent: Brandon Greco

Favorite drivers outside TAD: Mike Dunn and Jack Ostrander

Personal heroes: My Brother Phil

I race because: Racing challenges you everyday to be your best

I race TAD because: I believe it has the best competition in the NHRA, it challenges you as driver, they sound cool and haul ass!

Pre-race rituals or superstitions: Look the car over, get in, and focus on driving.

Nobody knows that I: Work all hours of every day and every night to improve and prepare our race car.

If I didn't race I would: Build the coolest pontoon boat ever with my brother.

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/GutierrezBrothersRacingINC

Website: Coming Soon!

 

 

Driver Profile - Todd Robertson

Driver: Todd Robertson

Car: Eaton Corporation Top Alcohol Funny Car

Age: 48

Hometown: Harrison Township, MI

Occupation: Drag racer

Family: Wife – Lynne, Son – Grant

Accomplishments: Owning my own race team and staying married for 18 years

First race car: 1968 Dodge Charger

Favorite movies: Snake and Mongoose

Favorite music: Aerosmith

Favorite TV shows: NHRA ESPN2 broadcasts

Favorite sports teams: Anything that overruns NHRA on TV, because that is the only time I watch other sports!

When I'm away from the racetrack I: work on my race car.

Favorite racing memory: Buying my first pro car – a 1994 ex-Darrell Alderman Haas-built Dodge Avenger.

Top accomplishment in racing: 2010 Milan 'Run What Ya Brung' Champion and 2010 Norwalk Door Wars Champion

Toughest opponent: Everyone in TAFC

Favorite opponent: Tony Bartone

Favorite drivers outside TAFC: Don Garlits

Personal heroes: My Dad

I race because: It's fun and challenging.

I race TAFC because: I can.

Pre-race rituals or superstitions: Listen to Aerosmith

Nobody knows that I: Eat, sleep, and breathe drag racing

If I didn't race I would: Restore and cruise Mopar muscle cars.

 

Photo courtesy of Steve Fuhrman

Driver Profile - Kyle Michalek

Driver: Kyle Michalek

Car: Kenan Advantage Group/Champion A/Fuel Dragster

Age: 29

Hometown: Louisville, OH

Residence: Houston, TX

Occupation: Operations Manager, Black Horse, LLC.

Family: Wife – Stephanie, Mom – Lisa, Dad – John, Brother – Corey

Accomplishments: First “Search for a Champion” contest winner, runner-up in TAD debut at 2013 Cavalcade of Stars, 2006 IHRA AFC championship crew member for Mark Thomas, and 2014 Charlotte Four-Wide Nationals TAD winner.

First race car: 1974 Woody Gilmore Top Fuel Dragster converted to a Super Pro car.

Favorite movies: Spinal Tap, Caddyshack, Best in Show, The Big Lebowski, and Ghostbusters.

Favorite music: My tastes in music are rather extreme. I like all Metal, from classic to current.

Favorite TV shows: Boardwalk Empire, Real Sports, and Eastbound and Down.

Favorite sports teams: Louisville Leopards, Ohio University Bobcats.

When I'm away from the racetrack I: Enjoy running, working out, dabbling in guitar, attending concerts, and spending time with my wife.

Favorite racing memory: TAD winners circle at 2014 Charlotte Four-Wide Nationals with my family.

Top accomplishment in racing: Forming a plan with Corey to make the transition from bracket racing to Top Alcohol Dragster and making it a reality.

Toughest opponent: I try not to beat myself.

 

Favorite opponent: Corey and I have never raced each other; I can’t wait!

 

Favorite drivers outside TAD: Pat Dakin, Mark Thomas, Clay Millican

 

Personal heroes: My parents have always provided great guidance and unconditional support.

 

I race because: At a primal level nothing compares to the energy, excitement, power, and challenges provided from the competition on and off the track.

 

I race TAD because: This class provides a forum to develop skills, gain exposure, and compete on the highest amateur level. It is great preparation for taking the next step…

 

Pre-race rituals or superstitions: Fall asleep while waiting in the staging lanes.

 

Nobody knows that I: If I tell you then everyone will know!

 

If I didn't race I would: pursue additional entrepreneurial ventures or become more involved in higher education as an associate professor or doctoral candidate.

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/michalekbrothersracing

Twitter username: @michalekracing

Instagram username: @michalekracing

Website: www.michalekbrothersracing.com

 

 

Photos courtesy of David Smith/Pro Sportsman Association

Driver Profile - Jackie Fricke

Fricke, right, with teammate John Finke

 

Driver: Jackie Fricke

Car: JC Auto Glass/Accelerated Travel A/Fuel Dragster

Age: 39

Hometown: Flemington, NJ

Occupation: Travel agent

Family: Husband - Shawn

Accomplishments: 2x IHRA national event winner, $10k & $5k bracket race wins, 2x Lucas Oil Series runner-up in A/FD

First race car: '32 Bantam Roadster

Favorite movies: Big Daddy and The Hangover

Favorite music: Country

Favorite TV shows: NHRA Sportsman show

Favorite sports teams: Philadelphia Eagles

When I'm away from the racetrack I: spend time with my nieces and nephews, often racing.

Favorite racing memory: Racing my teammate, John Finke, in the final of the Lebanon Valley regional race.

Top accomplishment in racing: $10k bracket race win at Atco

Toughest opponent: Arthur Gallant. My family still teases me because he beat me so many times.

Favorite opponent: My teammate, John Finke

Favorite drivers outside TAD: My dad, Taylor and Tori Iacono, Chase and Cory Ream

Personal heroes: Shawn Fricke

I race because: of the competition; I love a challenge.

I race TAD because: I dreamed about doing it since I was 7 years old.

Pre-race rituals or superstitions: Left glove goes on first

Nobody knows that I: sing funny songs when I'm in my race car.

If I didn't race I would: drive my family crazy.

 

Twitter username: @JackieFricke

Website: www.acceleratedtravel.net

 

 

Photos courtesy of David Smith/Pro Sportsman Association



Driver Profile - Brandon Booher

Driver: Brandon Booher

 

Car: AB Construction Top Alcohol Dragster

 

Age: 31

Hometown: Champaign, Ill.

Occupation: Owner/tuning consultant, Torque MGMT

Family: Wife – Shannon, Dogs - Gretzky and Jackson

Accomplishments: 2013 NHRA North Central TAD Champion, 3x regional event winner, 2013 Carolina Nationals winner

First racecar: Junior Dragster

Favorite movies: The Hangover and Donnie Brasco

Favorite music: Anything and everything; classical to country to rap to the Frozen soundtrack

Favorite TV shows: House of Cards and Breaking Bad

Favorite sports teams: Chicago Blackhawks

When I'm away from the racetrack I: Work on the race car and hang out with my wife and our dogs.

Favorite racing memory: Our first national event win at Charlotte

Top accomplishment in racing: First converter car in the 5.3s

Toughest opponent: Bill Reichert

Favorite opponent: Duane Shields

Favorite drivers outside TAD: Brandon Snider (PDRA Pro Extreme)

Personal heroes: My dad, Aaron

I race because: I enjoy the competition.

I race TAD because: It's heads-up, you do everything yourself, it's the premier Sportsman class.

Pre-race rituals or superstitions: I always strap myself into the car. I'm usually the last driver to strap in.

If I didn't race I would: Be involved in politics

 

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/booherracing

Twitter username: @booherracing

Instagram username: @booherracing

Website: Coming soon!