The AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals in Dallas were not on Leah Pritchett and Dote Racing’s 2014 schedule, but with a round-one win at the Pep Boys NHRA Carolina Nationals and the eventual postponement of the race, the Gumout-sponsored Top Fuel team is headed to the Lone Star State to finish what it started.
Pritchett and the Dote Racing team made four solid runs in qualifying in Charlotte and earned the No. 10 position, which set her up for a first-round match against Brittany Force. It’s the first time the two female drivers have faced each other in competition. Pritchett got the advantage off the starting line and beat Force on a holeshot for the round-one victory.
“The car is running great, consistent numbers, and my crew is doing an incredible job. At the end of the day, we are still in competition and do not want to give any rounds away when we feel we have an improved handle on the car and believe the forward momentum could lead us to our first victory,” said Pritchett. “Being an independent team, this will definitely put a financial strain on us, but we don’t want to give up. We want to keep going for our team, sponsors, and fans.”
The newest addition to the Monroe, Ohio-based team is veteran tuner Rob Flynn. He has joined forces with Doug Kuch, crew chief of the Gumout Top Fuel dragster. “He is undoubtedly a huge asset to our team,” said Pritchett. “Rob and Doug really complement each other in regards to their tuning efforts. In this day and age, it really takes two crew chiefs to be competitive and successful.”
Still on the schedule in 2014 for Pritchett and Dote Racing: Maple Grove and Las Vegas. Maple Grove is the home race for Dote Racing, and in Las Vegas, the Gumout team is participating in several events surrounding the SEMA Show.
Pritchett will face Steve Torrence in round two of the relocated Carolina Nationals; Pritchett’s husband, Gary, works on Torrence’s team.
