Cindi Reports from Pocono Raceway
“What do you think about taking 2 rookie drivers who have never driven Vipers before and let them rip around Pocono Raceway doing over 170 mph? Sound like I should have my head examined? Naw.
In the 3rd round of the Viper Cup Series, we took Allen Johnson, the factory Mopar NHRA Pro Stock Drag Racer and Bucky Lasek, 8 time XGames Gold Medalist and Dew Tour Champion, out to Pocono Raceway to race in the new Viper Cup Series. The part I love the most during these weekends is the first time they leap out of the Vipers after driving it for the first time with eyes wide open with amazement. Almost that “dear in the headlights look”. Total shock and in awe of the marvelous racecar.
I guess the part I was personally looking forward towards at this event was Bucky jumping on The Crippler for the first time and Allen showing the rest of the field how to do a standing start with lights!! But one of the things I suddenly realized is for the past 20+ years in Allen’s triumphant drag racing career, is that he is trained to “go” when the lights turn green. Well in SCCA Pro Racing rules, the 4 red lights come on when its 60 seconds or less to the start of the race. And when the lights go OUT is when racers leave the line and start racing. Not when they come on like in NHRA. So needless to say, Allen was thrown a curve ball at the last minute that he had to retrain himself. And that he did well.
Bucky on the other hand is the king of skate boarding. Fans adore him. He is a very famous athlete in his world of XGames and performances. So riding things and doing fancy, insane tricks is something he gets paid big bucks for. So when The Crippler was rolled out of the trailer on Friday night late after most the competitors had left the track and were safely back at their hotel rooms, the fun began. Or I should say the craziness started. As much as I would love to go into much detail I probably should not. However, let’s just say there was no blood shed and I think Bucky has a whole new appreciation towards The Crippler.
Both drivers did an splendid job at the track and behind the wheel of the ACR-X Viper. With just a few slight battle scars from Saturday’s race on the white car, both cars were loaded up in one piece and heading out west to Miller Motorsports Park. Thanks for all the notes on FB and Twitter regarding the event. Don’t forget to follow all the gory happenings on www.twitter.com/cindilux.
Peace out.
