Race Updates

Kenny Tran Wins 2007 NHRA Hot Rod World Championship

October 20-21

Pomona (CA) - It was a long shot but Kenny Tran and his Q-Power Scion tC have never shied away from a challenge. Pulling into the pits at the season-ending NHRA Sport Compact World Finals at Pomona 37 points behind class leader Stephanie Eggum, Kenny Tran Racing had a clear mission-set the national E.T. record and win the event.

The steep challenge got steeper as Eggum qualified in the top spot and the weather warmed up, making a record run improbable. "Our strategy was to come in and try to win the event and whatever happened would happen," says Kenny. "Our big break came when Eggum lost in the first round and we advanced. This totally changed the game because now we were only 18 points behind." Time for Plan B. All Kenny and company had to do was win the second round match-up against Chuck Seitsinger. A round-two win light would clinch the World Championship by scant two points.

But the drama was just beginning. "I knew right away that something is wrong when I fired up the engine before the race," says Kenny. "The only thing on my mind was to cut a good light and hope that Chuck wouldn't pass me at the traps. I must say that I had no idea if I had won that round until Bruno from NHRA confirmed it with the tower. We lost power right around the 1000-foot mark."

Kenny cut a wicked .065 light and the Q-Power Scion tC gave all it had left, stopping the clocks in 8.327 at 163.95 mph and trailing smoke that final 200 feet or so. Seitsinger had a .163 light and an 8.330 e.t. The margin of victory was a slim .1013 seconds.

"After we confirmed that we won the championship, we immediately swapped out the weak motor in the pits and hoped to make the final round. Unfortunately, we did not make it out on time and just needed another five minutes to make the show. We came home with a much better trophy than we anticipated going into this thing. I am truly humbled and without our sponsors Q, Nitto, Scion, these guys are truly great companies to be associated with and great to work for and with. Special thanks to Garrett, Arias, Pauter, V & M, Rev, Full Race, Web Cam, Gato, Brink Racecraft, Skinzwraps, XRP for providing us the best parts available to do what we do. Most importantly, the dedication and hard work from my crew members Tony, Nathan, Jason, Khoi, and Clive my long-time dream of a World Championship would never have come true."

Kenny will ride the wave of adrenaline for a few weeks then meticulously move into preparation mode for 2008. No rest for the weary; even if they are 2008 World Champions.