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IHRA: Rocca Returns to Drag Racing After Crash, Plans 1999 Season Tour

7 October 1998

LEESBURG, VA.-- After a devastating crash totally destroyed the Prolong sponsored, Ironhorse 1949 Mercury, Johnny Rocca returned to drag racing at the Presidents Cup Nationals in Budds Creek. He wasnt driving, but did color commentary with the IHRA national event staff.

Rocca explained, "Just going to the race track has been a test for me because this was such a violent crash. I had given serious thought of not coming back after the event at Union Grove. There were many factors that changed my mind such as the calls and the thousands of cards, emails and letters. I became convinced the drag racing community was an extension of my family and that they were behind me. My native American people have been behind me and it has been the strength of my heritage that motivated my return, as well."

Rocca has decided to return to competition with his trusty Mercury and one thing is for certain, his chassis builder will be Scotty Cannon. The car will be based on the Australian chassis wiz Murray Andersons design and will be ready for the 1999 IHRA/Snap-On Tools tour.

Fans of the Ironhorse can further rejoice because Prolong Super Lubricants plans to release a rock -n- roll based, CD today in Los Angeles, Ca., and a new calendar dubbed "Extreme Machines". Ironhorse will be the main image on both. He will also make a an appearance at the annual SEMA show in Las Vegas, Nv., and at the Indianapolis, Ind., based PRI event to promote the new product lines for Prolong Super Lubricants.