After two weeks off the tour Shane Tucker and the rest of his Pro Stock compatriots are ready to get back to racing action.
This weekend Tucker will be wheeling his Auzmet/StructGlass Chevrolet Camaro onto the Summit Motorsports Park facility in search of his first win on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series tour. The young Australian has expanded his program and is competing on the full NHRA Pro Stock schedule for the first time in his career.
“I really wanted to commit to running for the NHRA Mello Yello championship this season,” said Tucker. “The only way to do that is to attend every race on the tour. We missed Phoenix due to an engine issue but we are set for the rest of the season and I think we are continuing to improve every race.”
So far this season since Tucker has gotten his motor program under control with the assistance of world champion motor supplier Nick Ferri, Tucker has qualified for the last four Pro Stock races. His run of qualifying success also includes a quarterfinal finish at the historic Gatornationals in March.
“Gainesville is where we really turned things around for this team,” said Tucker. “We have been making more power every time we go down the track. We are definitely behind a lot of the multi-car teams but we are not giving up the fight. I am working with my dad Rob to get as much power out of this Camaro as we can.”
This will be the second go round for Tucker at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals. In 2014 Tucker’s rookie season, he qualified No. 12 and lost a close race to Vincent Nobile in the first round. That season Tucker competed in ten races and this season he should almost double that amount. The added seat time is a welcome experience for the racer from Australia, who splits time in Dallas, Texas.
“The only way you are going to get better in these race cars is to get seat time,” said Tucker. “I am excited to get to Norwalk and start qualifying on Friday. We are going to stay after the race and test win or lose. You have to keep making runs and getting data to be successful. The past three races we have made almost every run in qualifying to the finish line under power and on race day we just need a few things to go our way.”
