Jenna Haddock

This weekend’s 51st Annual Auto Club Finals marks the conclusion of the 2015 NHRA Mellow Yellow Drag Racing season.  For rookie Top Fuel driver, Jenna Haddock, it marks the end of an amazing first year in the premiere professional class of the sport.    As the season comes to a close,  Jenna looks back on her season and rates her year as driver of the ‘Boots For Troops’ Top Fuel Dragster in her trademark exuberant and sincere fashion.

“Everyone rates on performance,” explained Haddock, “but there is so much more to take into consideration.  As a driver, I didn’t have much experience.  I never drove anything in competition.  I’m proud that we qualified at eight out of the 11 races we ran.  And we did it with only six team members when other teams have 12.  We lost our sponsor mid-year so we did it with no money.  We did it with friends, family and a lot of hard work and determination.  And I’m grateful for everyone that helped.  When I rate out first year, I’d say we had a phenomenal year.  Without money, our car performed really well and I cannot be sad.  I’m proud to say our car is good.”

The Auto Club Road to the Future candidate posted her career-best of 3.850 sec. at 311.63 mph in her first-round match-up against Antron Brown at the previous race in Las Vegas.  Though she couldn’t hold off the new 2015 Top Fuel Champion for the win, she was still  thrilled at her performance.

“In qualifying in Vegas, we kept throwing the blower belt,” Haddock said.  “But if you look at our half-track numbers we knew it was going to run.  We run used belts.  We can’t buy all new ones like most teams.  Most of the time our belts have four to five runs on them.  We rather buy new crankshafts, pistons and connecting rods.  Those things come before blower belts for us.   On Sunday morning a bunch of teams brought us their belts with only one run on them, which was so amazing.  So for us when that 3.850 came up on the board; Sunday took the cake.”

Haddock’s husband, Terry is a long time Funny Car driver known for competing on a very limited budget and for never giving up.  This year, he put his car on the back burner and concentrated on launching his wife’s career.

“I really have to thank Terry for his unending support,” expressed Haddock.  “He helped me learn how to drive and he was a great and patient teacher.  This year has been all about me, and his car hasn’t gotten much attention.  He made sure that everything came much easier to me than it ever did to him.  He’s been great about it and I love him for it.”

After losing her major sponsor just one race ago, Top Fuel rookie contender Jenna Haddock will roll into the peaceful wine country of Napa Valley for the 28^th annual NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Infineon Raceway, the second stop on the famed Swing, with the support from the Sonoma County Les Schwab Tires group of stores.

Les Schwab Tires, headquartered in Bend, Ore. was founded by Les Schwab in 1952.  It has grown into one of the largest independent tire dealers with over 450 locations in the country.  The Sonoma County group is made up of four locations, Windsor, managed by Rob Paulson, Rohnert Park, managed by Manny Castrellon, Santa Rosa Montgomery, led by David Lindsey and Santa Rosa Avenue, managed by Jessy Usher.

“Les Schwab’s motto is ‘doing the right thing since 1952’ and that’s everything Jenna and her husband Terry represent,” expressed Usher, spokesperson for the group.  “The hard work and devotion they put into racing exemplifies our values.  They are that one small team working hard and we were that one store that worked hard to be what we are today.  Yes, we’re a corporation but we’re family-owned and partnering with Jenna is a great way to show what we support as a company.  It’s a perfect match.”

This will be Jenna Haddock’s first time in competition at the beautiful facility and six years since her last visit.  She faces the challenge with her usual enthusiasm and exuberance that is making her a fan favorite around the country.

“I am super excited to have Les Schwab join us,” said Haddock.  “We’ve known Jessy and the group for several years.  They’ve been an associate sponsor for us and when Patriot left us, I offered them a full spot for Sonoma and they took it.  We’re a small team and losing our major sponsor was a tough blow.  So I can’t thank them enough for coming on board to help me.  We did a display at the Santa Rosa Avenue store earlier this week and we had a blast.  They are all such great people.  Two representatives from each store will be joining us at the track for the race and I can hardly wait to show them a great time.  I can’t tell you how proud I am that they have chosen me to represent them and I will do my best.”

Running a limited schedule, Jenna Haddock is currently 18th in Top Fuel points standings, attending 6 events this season.

“I love my race car and driving it and I’m excited to get to be in the car and do this for another weekend.  Because we run a limited schedule, I usually have to wait several weeks between races.  But we ran Denver last week and now I get to do it again.  We are looking to make some good runs and make some progress on our numbers.  And most of all we want to have a good clean weekend.”