Checker Schucks's Kragen Chevy Monte Carlo

"The fire is there."

Story and photos by Dwight Drum
Web work by Gary Larsen

Earlier this year we asked Del Worsham about his chances this season and his early words are holding up as the season rips by. Worsham has been a top Funny Car contender for several years now and this year his results have placed his team at or near the top of the points chase in NHRA POWERade series. The CSK team has a proven competitive team and Worsham is the lead driver with consistent laps.

Dwight asks Del Worsham:

"Off to a great start. You start every year to be the POWERade champion. The start we have this year is definitely going to help us achieve that goal."

Nah. I don't believe so. I've got some great ones though. Winning when I was 21 years old in the second race I ever entered with my dad in Atlanta, Ga. That was pretty close to being my best moment in racing.

"Ahh. That's not hard to get. I grew up around it. I'm a very competitive person. I get to race with my family, the sponsors- the fire is there."

"I kinda always thought as a kid I ran my mouth and said I could do it. Once I got in the car in 1990, I was 20 years old and I was driving and I actually got it down the track once. A that point I thought, I can do this."

"For me it is getting to work with my family. I'm very fortunate to be able to race with my dad. My grandmother is involved. My entire family comes out and supports me. My wife is a big part of it and my girls love it. The best part about racing for me is that I get to work, do what I love and be with my family all at the same time."

"Mostly I miss all my friends out here. Just about all my friends are racing. I've been doing this my whole life and I'd say about 95 percent of my friends are in racing. When you're not at the track, you miss your friends."

"Right now the biggest goal, the one goal I have is just to win the POWERade championship ."