I figured due to the tragic accident during the latest NHRA National Event now would be a good time to reminisce about the most memorable race of your short/long racing career.
Me personally, it was during the Sportsman Nats @ Pacific Raceway in 2008 beating the 8 second dragster with the Pontiac with a killer light and running the number. I managed to make it to the 3rd round until red lighting by a narrow margin but it was definitely fun! – Paul Young, Edwards & Young Racing
Final round: (W) Tom Brown far lane, '66 Chev II, (R/U) Chris Young near lane, '71 Chevelle
Final round runner-up launch, Mission 2001
Over the years, there certainly have been highs and lows for me personally. Certainly in the late 80’s or early 90’s (I’m senile!) when I was driving Tom’s wagon running low 12’s and won 3 races and runner-uped in 3 races was certainly my best year of driving.
With the ’57 the runner-up finish at Mission in the Langley Loafers race in 2001 and us being awarded the “Best Bitchin’ Race Car” all at the same race was a big high for me and all of us.
But the most memorable time for me was when our ’57 ran the 10.54 at Mission in June ’99 was a very rewarding experience for me personally. First, I never believed it was possible, and after years of breakage and trying many different combinations, it was very rewarding to see it all come together. The old car just flew on that pass! Unfortunately rain on Sunday cancelled the race! (Run posted on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U38LSCP6_Hs )
Whatever success I’ve had as a driver, has always been an entire team effort! It takes a lot of hard work and maintenance with a stick-shift car to compete against the automatics today. Without all their hard work and support I would have retired long ago!
The most memorable race for Chris had to be on June 24, 2006 when he was runner-up in Super Pro in his Chevelle at the National Open at Bremerton Raceways.
Winner: Tom Brown, 6786, Sedro Wooley, WA, 66 Chevy II, .005 Reaction Time, 10.90 Dial In, 10.931 sec, 133.07 mph
Runner-up: Chris Young, G603, Seattle, WA, 71 Chevelle Wagon, .004 Reaction Time, 10.90 Dial In, 10.974 sec, 115.23 mph [on brakes]
Of course yours truly didn’t get to celebrate, I was in Dothan, Alabama at the time!
I remember that race like it was yesterday as I am sure Chris does also. It got to the point where there was no doubt that we were on our “A” game as a team, Chris cutting down the tree and the dial-ins were on also! What was lost in the whole scheme of things was that we were very good sports as we waited for him for well over 15 minutes to return to the lanes as he was running 2 classes but Chris will attest to the fact that you want to earn the win the correct way.
THAT DAY WAS JUST AMAZING. THE OLD GIRL JUST RAN THE NUMBER TIME AFTER TIME. PAUL WAS IN THE ZONE AND IF I HADN’T LIFTED THE WALLY WOULD HAVE BEEN OURS! WE HAD TO WAIT FOR LEERKAMP ALSO THAT DAY BUT I WANTED EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT WE BEAT THE BEST IF WE WON! MAYBE IT WILL ALL COME TOGETHER SOMEDAY. THE RACE AT MISSION IS A CLOSE SECOND THOUGH. MAN IT WAS HOT!