Thursday, May 18, 2017

Reigning world champ Mia Tedesco one of the brightest stars at Cavalcade of Stars


NORWALK, Ohio (May 18) -- Mia Tedesco became the first woman in the 61-year history of NHRA drag racing to win a world championship in the cutthroat Super Gas category last season, making her one of the biggest stars competing at this weekend's Cavalcade of Stars presented by Budweiser at Summit Motorsports Park in Northeast Ohio.

Tedesco, who hails from Pittsburgh, Pa., will be racing both her title-winning CARS Vehicle Service Contracts /VP Racing Fuels Super Gas Chevrolet Cavalier and her CARS Vehicle Service Contracts/Schepel Motors/NGK/Lucas Oil Top Alcohol Dragster at the event, giving her two great chances to score another victory or two.

"We're excited about this race," Tedesco said. "Both of my cars have been running great this year. We'd like to have a little more to show for it, but we've definitely learned over the years that you just have to keep working hard every weekend and the wins will come. Maybe this weekend will be the breakthrough race we've been waiting for.

"For sure we'll have fun. This is one of the closest racetracks to home so we always have a lot of friends and family make the trip over to cheer for us. That makes it special. Of course, it motivates you too because you always want to show your best side when your closest friends are watching."

The Tedesco family has a special relationship with the Bader family, who own Summit Motorsports Park. Michael Tedesco, Mia's father and team owner, also owns a drag strip, Pittsburgh Raceway, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

"The Baders are great friends of ours and we love coming to their track," Mia Tedesco said. "They put the fans and the racers first in every decision they make and it makes you feel pretty special when you come here to race. The races are always run well and are very organized. It's drag racing the way it's supposed to be over here.

"Considering how close we are with them, it would be really great to put one of these cars in the winner's circle and share that experience with them. I know last time we were here the Super Gas car was running super strong. We didn't do so well in the dragster but we'll hope for more this time through."

In addition to Tedesco's two entries, crew chief and teammate Jason Lynch will be pulling double duty himself, racing in both Super Gas and Top Sportsman.

"It'll be another busy weekend but we like it that way," Tedesco said. "This is the second Division 3 race of the season but the first one was rained out so really it's our first one. We have our titles to defend. It's time to get after it and race."