NHRA Hall of Famer Jim Dunn to Celebrate 75th Birthday at Houston's Spring Nationals

Team Owner/Crew Chief Participating in his 60th Year of Drag Racing

Where else would you expect a man in his 60th year of drag racing to celebrate his 75th birthday? At a drag strip, of course, and that's exactly what NHRA legend Jim Dunn will be doing this weekend as the team owner/crew chief takes his Canidae Racing Funny Car team to Houston for the 22nd annual O'Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals at Houston Raceway Park on March 27-29.

On his actual 75th birthday on Saturday, Dunn will be turning the wrenches on the Canidae/Lucas Oil Chevy trying to qualify Jerry Toliver for his fourth race of the season. The Jim Dunn Racing team will feature a "75th Birthday" logo to commemorate the special day and historic season.

"I enjoy the races and the spectators are great," Dunn says. "That's my home away from home. I'm just glad that I'm still walking and still have the opportunity to tune this Canidae/Lucas Oil Funny Car. Anytime we go to the starting line we say we can beat the guy. I've always said that the day I go up to the starting line and say I can't beat him, I'll quit. Racing is racing."

Toliver and the Jim Dunn Racing team continue to make strides and are coming off of their best race weekend of the young season. Toliver made four full passes in qualifying the Canidae/Lucas Oil Chevy 12th at Gainesville and defeated Mike Neff in Round 1 for his first round-win of the year. Toliver looks to carry that momentum into Houston where he was runner-up to Tim Wilkerson in 2004 and runner-up to Bob Gilbertson in 2000. 

"I think our performance at Gainesville was definitely a step in the right direction and gives us some momentum going into Houston," Toliver said. "I don't care who you are, going rounds in Funny Car is tough. It was good to get a round-win there, and for this team with a new car and new driver to do it in such a short amount of time is impressive. We're starting to put the pieces together and we're getting closer."

Dunn, a pioneer in this sport as a driver, team owner and tuner, started his career as a competitor in 1950 when the popularity of drag racing was starting to move from the streets and began to take hold on local strips throughout Southern California. Over the years, he has accumulated numerous wins and performance records including a victory at the 1972 Supernationals in Ontario, Calif., a win at the 1981 World Finals in Irvine, Calif., and a runner-up finish at the 1981 U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. Dunn is also the only driver to win the prestigious March Meet at Bakersfield in both Top Fuel and Funny Car.

Since retiring from driving in 1990, Dunn's career has continued to flourish as a respected crew chief, technical advisor and car owner. He wrenched cars to numerous victories throughout the '90s including the 1997 Big Bud Shootout in Indianapolis, the 1998 Pontiac Excitement Nationals in Columbus, Ohio, and the 1999 U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis. His most recent win as an owner/tuner came last July in Seattle with Tony Bartone behind the wheel of the Canidae/Lucas Oil Chevy. In 2001 Dunn was voted No. 27 on NHRA's list of the Top 50 Drivers of its first 50 years, and in 2006 he was given the great honor of induction into the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame. 

"Everybody asks how you can do this for 60 years," Dunn says. "I must just really love pain or I'm just really stupid (laughs). It's been good for me because I enjoy working on the cars. I enjoy listening to them and hearing them. I do it for myself because I enjoy it. When the car starts and does what you ask it to, that's the whole emotional trap right there." 

A one-hour telecast of qualifying coverage for the NHRA Spring Nationals can be seen on ESPN2 on Saturday, March 28, beginning at 8:00 p.m. (ET). Coverage on ESPN2 continues on Sunday, March 29, when NHRA Race Day will kick off eliminator coverage starting at 11:00 a.m. (ET), and concludes with three-and-a-half hours of final eliminations coverage beginning at 4:30 p.m. (ET).

Kirk Weeks

CANIDAE Motosport Kawasaki at Indy: Jesseman's Second Straight Week with a Top 5 Finish!

CANIDAE Motosport Kawasaki rider Branden Jesseman’s hard work has been paying off big time. Following on the heels of his 5th place finish in Atlanta, Jesseman rode his best race of the season at Indy grabbing an impressive fourth place finish.

In qualifying Heat # 2, Jesseman shot out to a 6th place start and quickly moved his way up to fourth place by the third lap. By the time the checkered flags waved, he finished in a well-deserved 3rd place, earning his spot in the final.

CANIDAE All Natural Pet Foods sponsors the "Lucky Dog" Last Chance Qualifier, which is the final opportunity for all remaining Lites riders to make it into the "Big Show.” Number 521, Kyle Gillis and # 96, Tyler Wharton were the last two "Lucky Dog's" Lites riders to qualify for the 20 rider Main Event. 

In the Lites Main Event, Jesseman was in 7th place early and fighting hard to reach the front pack. By the halfway point, his lap times were improving and had moved up one place. By lap 11, he had moved into fifth and was still gaining ground. In the end, the checkered flags saw Jesseman achieve a season best 4th place finish, and a huge jump in the championship points standings to fourth. Great job Branden!

In the Supercross class, CANIDAE Motosport Kawasaki rider Tommy Hahn has been working very hard to finish inside the top ten every week. He drew heat #1 for his chance to make it into the Main Event and got off to a great start by shooting out of the gate in third place. Just before the finish line on the first lap, Hahn was slammed into from behind causing the CANIDAE Motosport Kawasaki to crash hard. The crash left Hahn in last place and banged up. Never one to say, “quit,” Hahn put his head down and went to work climbing back to 11th. Unfortunately, Hahn ran out of time and missed his qualifying spot by only two places in a great comeback ride.

Next week, the team moves to the Daytona International Speedway in Florida for the most unique event of the Supercross season. This track will push every rider to their limits so make sure to check it out!

Jason Cobb

The Power of Consumption

I went to the store last Monday to purchase a new cordless drill. As I sat there contemplating the choices, I realized how similar they all were in performance and price. All would meet or exceed my needs and all that was left was to select the one that looked the coolest in my hand. All of a sudden, Ricky Carmichael raced through my head followed by Mike Alessi, Chad Reed, Nico Izzi and Ryan Dungy. What the heck!!!!! It hit me like a ton of bricks; Makita sponsors a Supercross/Motocross team! I picked up the Makita, walked to the cashier, laid down my cash, and happily purchased a new drill. As I walked to my truck, I was proud as a peacock and feeling like I had really given back to the sport. Although, I am not a huge fan of Suzuki (the team that Makita sponsors), it strangely felt great to purchase this drill.

Why did I feel this way? Was I doing something great? No. Would the people at Makita have any idea that some dude in Phoenix, AZ bought their product because he supported the sport he loved? No. It felt good because I am part of a family.

How many times have you been walking through a busy store in your favorite MX shirt and made eye contact with some other guy in his favorite MX shirt? The look is priceless. It is not the look two guys give each other when they sympathize with each other for having to endure hours of mindless shopping with their wives or girlfriends. It is a precise and enthusiastic look that says, “Dude! I too know the magical feeling of racing through the dirt and soaring through the air.”

My point is this. Be proud of who you are and what makes you part of our family. Fly your colors proudly. When I look around my shop at home, I know exactly why I have a shelf full of Amsoil that I bought for my truck because it makes Kevin Windham smooth as silk. Next to that shelf is the bag of CANIDAE All Natural Dog Food (chicken and rice, dry) because Tommy Hahn’s dog eats it (and Tommy Hahn is fast) so maybe it will work for me. Eat up my best friends! Hanging on the wall as if a prized trophy is my One Industries “Trooper” Next to my helmet are my Scott Goggles just like Kyle Cunningham wears. As I walked into the kitchen, I noticed that I still needed to put away the case of Monster Energy Drink that apparently fuels Team Green to victory after victory and in the laundry room is Surf Detergent because they used to sponsor a MX team back in the early 90’s. I am loyal to the core.

So when you buy, think about who supports you and your family and who does not. Not only will it make our sport better, it just might make you faster. See you out there!

Jason Cobb