Tim Gibbons, a longtime former nitro-racing crewmember, will make his Pro debut in Funny Car at the NHRA Toyota Nationals in Las Vegas.
Gibbons, a former crew member of Cruz Pedregon , recently earned his license in Steve Plueger’s Funny Car, with the help from Jeff Arend , Gary Densham, and Del Worsham will run the Las Vegas event as well as the Auto Club NHRA Finals in anticipation of a full campaign in 2016.
In Las Vegas and Pomona, Gibbons’ effort will be backed by Race One Media and Castle Rock Trucks, both companies owned by Gibbons, who lives in Redding, Calif.
“We’re looking to go fast and straight, have a good time, and see if we can help a friend in points or spoil someone’s day,” he said. .“We are anticipating that we will be running the entire season next year and should be making a major sponsor announcement soon.”
As a child growing up in Southern California, Gibbons spent time in the pits at some the famous strips like Lions Dragstrip , Orange County Int’l Raceway and Irwindale Raceway and was a participant the movie Funny Car Summer, when it was released in 1974 and chronicled the efforts of Jim Dunn.
Gibbons’ dream of a career in professional football was ended by a hip injury, but not until he had gained the attention of teams and coaches in the NFL, CFL, and the WFL as a standout linebacker.
He found another team to join, working for Funny Car world champion Pedregon beginning in 1999 and worked on cylinder heads and drove the team transporter. He worked for other teams, earned his license in a Top Alcohol Dragster and made several passes in an ex-Pedregon Funny Car when it was purchased by Bob Hallock.
Gibbons stayed in touch with the sport through longtime friend David Wisemantel of Cebe Inc., which makes parts for many Top Fuel and Funny Car teams, and chassis builder Plueger, which led to his latest opportunity.
“They might be a small team, but they love what they do,” said Gibbons of Plueger’s team. “Everyone there has a big smile on their face and there having a good time. I was surrounded by great people and every one of them played an incredible role in helping my get my license. I can’t thank them all enough, and I need to give a huge shoutout to the entire Bakersfield staff for giving me one heck of a race track over the summer.
In addition to his own companies, Gibbons is getting assistance from RCD Engineering, Cebe Inc.,Head Blade, and The Cannery Hotel and Casino.
“When I saw my name on the entry list for Vegas and Pomona I was pretty much in awe of the names I was listed with,” he said. “It’s pretty damn awesome to be in such an elite fraternity of drivers of the baddest cars on the planet. It’s all fun and I’m Excited, hell maybe I can even get a chance to beat up on my old boss Cruz. I’m just an extremely blessed person to be able to do this and I’m looking forward to Vegas and beyond.”
