NHRA: Skuza Hopes to be Jammin' at Beal Street in Memphis
4 October 1998
MILLINGTON, Tenn. -- Nearly three weeks after the big win, and Dean Skuza is still in awe.It's a rare moment when dreams and reality collide. Skuza took advantage of his moment at the Pioneer Keystone Nationals in mid-September when he defeated childhood hero John Force.
Skuza will try to beat Force again if the opportunity should present itself at the 11th annual Pennzoil Nationals presented by AutoZone, Oct. 8-11 at Memphis Motorsports Park. The $1.5 million race is the 19th of 22 events in the $30-million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series.
However, no matter the circumstances surrounding the next time Skuza defeats the seven-time Winston champion, he'll always remember that Sunday afternoon in Pennsylvania.
"It was quite the victory," Skuza said.. "I have mixed emotions, though. I mean, as a kid growing up I idolized John Force. After I beat him I was going crazy. At the same time, I looked over at Force and he looked somewhat disappointed and was putting his gloves into his helmet and there were no cameras around. I thought, man, I just beat my hero. Don't get me wrong, I love to win and that's what we're out here for, but there's still a little piece of me that is secretly a John Force fan."
Force later said that he was proud of the youngster from Brecksville, Ohio.
"I was excited for Skuza," Force admitted. "He's a future champion. Austin Coil (Force's crew chief) asked me why I was so happy for him. I told him that was me 10 years ago. That kid had so much energy when he beat me it was amazing to watch. That's how I acted years ago when I finally beat Snake (Don Prudhomme) and (Kenny) Bernstein. He's going to have a big future in this sport."
For Skuza, the future is now. He says winning just makes him hungrier. He's ready for more.
"Winning races can cure anything," Skuza said. "It's great medicine. We're a little upset that it took us most of the year to get a win, but we'll take it. I think we learned some things that will help us get some more victories and finish the season really strong."
Dual crew chiefs Lance Larsen and Ron Swearingen have worked tirelessly all season to develop a consistent combination for Skuza's Matco Tools Dodge Avenger. Skuza says at Maple Grove everything they had down on paper came to life in his nitro-burning machine. They're excited about their chances at Memphis Motorsports Park.
"I think the car is running a lot better now and we have gained so much data that we can adapt the car to any kind of conditions," Skuza said. "At a track like Memphis it can get a little loose at the top end. That's no problem. The main thing is that we're all in the same boat. We've all got to go down the same quarter-mile.."
A self-proclaimed alternative rocker, Skuza also enjoys traveling to Memphis for other reasons.
"A lot of people ask me what my favorite event is and I have to say Memphis is one of them," Skuza said. "There's so many cool places to go there, great restaurants and of course great nightlife at Beal Street. That's where I go every year on Sunday evening to unwind. I stay there until someone tells me to leave the next morning. It's a great place."
It'll be an even better place if he can earn a victory there.
"If I win the Pennzoil Nationals I'll be jammin' on Beal Street for sure," Skuza said. "Tell everyone to come on down 'cause I'm buyin'."
