GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 8) – There's one thing Mia Tedesco knows
for certain –she'll definitely be a target throughout the 2017 NHRA Lucas Oil
Drag Racing Series.
The No. 1 decals now adorning her Jason Lynch-tuned CARS Protection
Plus/VP Racing Fuels Super Gas Chevrolet Cavalier are the most-coveted pieces
of sticky vinyl in drag racing because they signify the rank of reigning world
champion.
Last year, multi-talented "Miss Mia" was nothing short of
dominating in her completion of one of the most successful seasons in the
history of NHRA Sportsman competition. The soft-speaking 23-year-old
Pittsburgher let her driving tell the story; an exemplary narrative that included
the Super Gas world championship, the Division 3 Super Gas championship, the
North Central Region championship for the second consecutive year in her CARS
Protection Plus/Schepel Motors/NGK/Lucas Oil Top Alcohol Dragster, Division 3
Super Eliminator Driver of the Year, and the highly regarded "Person of
the Year" denotation in Division 3.
When she rolls to the starting line this season, the eyes of
competitors and fans will most certainly be drawn to see one of drag racing's
brightest stars – watching to see what's next for the humble lady who last year
became the first female racer ever to win the ultra-competitive Super Gas world
title.
"I’m sure having the No. 1 on the side of our car is going to
be like a target, but it doesn’t really bother me," Tedesco said. "I hadn’t really thought about it too much. I mean, generally the
guys out here don’t like to get beat by a girl anyway so I don’t think it will
be much different than it’s been in the past. Everyone races us hard."
Tedesco and her Dave Hirata-led Top Alcohol Dragster team also will
undoubtedly strike fear in the hearts of their opponents on the quarter-mile in
2017. Last year the team won three NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series regional
events, in Columbus, Ohio, St. Louis, and Gainesville, Fla., the same place
where she and her Michael Tedesco-owned team will begin this year's two-car,
straight-line assault.
"We've been testing in Valdosta (Ga.) and Gainesville to
prepare for the season to start so we feel well prepared," Tedesco said.
"Testing was great. We have all the same people returning with us this
year so we're expecting great things again.
"It's really great to have all the same people on our team. Our
team is our family and that's the way we race. We wouldn't have it any other
way."
Tedesco finished eighth in national points in Top Alcohol Dragster
in 2016. With all the success she had a year ago, she still wants much more,
which should send shudders down the spines of any competitor that lines up
against her this year.
"I’m just trying to embrace [last year's success] because it’s
something I’ve been working for since I started racing so to finally do it is
pretty awesome," Tedesco said. "Instead of looking at any of
the ways that may be negative or challenging, I’m just going to take it all
like a positive thing and be confident about it. Nothing really bothers me
competition-wise. What people think doesn’t really matter to me at all. I just
do my thing and everything kind of falls into place how it needs to."
Away from the track also has been exciting for Tedesco. Last
December, she got engaged to her now fiancé Andy Price. The couple has not
decided on a date for their nuptials yet. The avid country music and Pittsburgh
Penguins fan is also building a new house in her hometown.
"We're anxious to get going, for sure," Tedesco said.
"It's been a busy couple of weeks, but we're ready to go racing. I've got
a lot going on, but it's all great things.
After the regional event in Gainesville this weekend, she and her
team will remain in Florida to compete in next weekend's national event, the
famed NHRA Gatornationals at historic Gainesville Raceway, where to no one's
surprise she's also found high-level achievements.
"We ran our career best ET and speed at the Gatornationals last
year (5.192 seconds, 280.60 mph)," she said. "It's one of the best
tracks on the tour. Hopefully we can get the nationals win this year. We made
the semifinals last year and almost made the final. We're hoping to take a
couple extra steps this year."
With her record-setting blast last year in Gainesville, Tedesco
became only the ninth driver in class history to speed past the 280-mph mark.
"It's going to be a good year," Tedesco said. "We
always have a good time and have fun, and that's the most important thing.
Don't get me wrong, wins are great, but there's so much more to it and that's
the part I love."
