SEATTLE — Things are heading in the right direction for two-time Funny Car world champion Cruz Pedregon and he would like to keep it that way at this weekend’s 36th annual Muckleshoot Casino Resort NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways.
The longtime standout appears to be over a rough patch that plagued most of his 2024 season in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, showing improvement and potential early this season. He added to it at the most recent event in Norwalk, picking up his first No. 1 qualifier in two years and advancing to the semifinals, the third time he’s done that this year.
Pedregon also jumped three spots in the point standings, moving up to eighth in the loaded Funny Car category.
The key for Pedregon now is taking the next step – or two – and pick up his first victory since the 2022 finale. He’s trending in the right direction in his 12,000-horsepower Snap-on Dodge Hellcat and continued progress to kick off the second half of the 2025 season is the main goal this weekend in Seattle – along with putting on a stellar 330-mph show for the fans.
“Seattle couldn’t come at a better time,” Pedregon said. “Our Snap-on “Own It” Dodge Hellcat is starting to hit its stride. We’re making strong, consistent runs and building momentum. Coming off a top qualifying effort in Norwalk and a semifinal finish, we’re ready to take things even further.
“I can’t think of a better place to do that than Seattle. There’s a renewed energy around this event and they’ve scheduled a late Friday night qualifying session under the lights, which means cooler air, big header flames, and a show the fans won’t forget.”
Last year, Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Austin Prock (Funny Car), Jeg Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock) and Chase Van Sant (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all picked up victories in Seattle, while Justin Ashley, Prock, Aaron Stanfield and Gaige Herrera won the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge bonus race.
Pedregon referenced Friday’s thrilling night session, which includes the Deecell Power Systems “After Dark Low Qualifier” and offers a special bonus for the quickest run in each class under the lights.
Pedregon has proven he’s once again capable of running with the Funny Car elite, a standout group that includes points leader Prock, who has four wins in 2025, Jack Beckman, Matt Hagan, Ron Capps, J.R. Todd and Daniel Wilkerson. But Pedregon has been quick and consistent at recent races, two absolute necessities in a class loaded with talent.
He’ll be part of a thrilling Saturday in Seattle, too, one that features three nitro qualifying sessions and the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge. The bonus race offers a chance for more success for Pedregon, who has always enjoyed racing at Pacific Raceways.
“We’d love to be one of the cars that sets the pace that night,” Pedregon said. “Seattle, really all of the West Coast races, feels like home to me. Being from Southern California, I always enjoy racing out here. The Pacific Northwest provides great atmospheric conditions for big performance, and the fans here are some of the best. We’re focused, confident, and ready to keep climbing.”
