All About The Driver
Birthday
9/19/63
Height
6'-0"
Weight
200
Nickname
The Cruzer
Birthplace
Torrence, CA
Current Hometown
Brownsburg, IN
Family
Two Brothers & Three Sisters
Pets
None currently, but I love dogs
First Car
1953 Kenworth
Current Car
2008 Toyota Tundra Crew Max
Dream Car
Bentley Coupe
What modifications have you made to your personal vehicle?
22" Wheels, Tinted Windows, Exhaust System& Drilled Rotor Brake Discs
Eat out or In?
Out mostly. You name it, I've eaten there.
Fly or drive?
Prefer to drive my 45' Heritage Coach. I fly on long distance trips over 1,000 miles.
Ride or drive?
Always drive. Get car sick if I ride.
Text or Phone Call?
Text; talk only when I have to.
What is in your iPod or CD player right now?
Music from the 60's, 70's, & 80's - all types.
What is on your DVR?
Nothing.
Last thing you bought on eBay?
As soon as I buy something, I will let you know.
If you could trade places with anyone for 24 hours, who would it be?
Tony Stewart during a road course race.
What is the funniest or strangest thing that you have ever autographed?
Everything from a broken arm cast to a cell phone to a shoe
What's your favorite saying or words to live by?
Don't worry about things you can't control.
All About The Racing
When did you first start racing?
On foot. I started with my brothers at about age 4, but diesel drags, age 15.
Who has been the main influence on your racing career?
My dad, Flamin' Frank. Even though he hasn't been around through my racing career, the life lessons he taught me influence my racing.
What makes you a good racer?
Competitiveness
Best racing experience?
Everyday they lower the body on my Advance Auto Parts Toyota funny car is my best racing experience.
Favorite part of the race day?
When they are singing the national anthem.
Least favorite part of the race day?
Three o'clock in the morning when I can't sleep, wondering what the race day is going to bring.
Favorite win?
2006 Las Vegas, our first win with my Advance Auto Parts funny car.
Favorite trophy?
My 1994 silver Wally for the 40th US Nationals Anniversary.
Favorite memento from your career?
My helmets are my favorite. I keep them.
First race car?
1978 Peterbuilt Race Truck
Your favorite race car, ever? Why?
1992 Championship Winning McDonald's Funny Car because it was consistently fast.
What race would you most want to win?
2008 Skoal Showdown in Indianapolis, Labor Day Weekend
When did you know that you had what it takes to go pro?
When I was about 8 years old, I used to tell people "I'm gonna be a famous race car driver" and then I would ask, "Am I crazy for that?" Some of them would say yes
Favorite track?
Raceway Park at Indianapolis
Favorite gift given to you by a fan?
A handmade Cruz doll.
Most difficult victory of your career?
1994 US Nationals, one of three times I have won at that track. That was my last season with my good friend and car owner Larry Minor.
Superstitions?
none
If you weren't racing, what's your dream career/job?
My dream job would be a racing analyst. I would like to be the John Madden of auto racing.
If you could change any NHRA rule, what would it be?
To combine both Top Fuel & Funny Car teams and race Funny Cars. This way, there would be only one Pro Nitro winner.
Give us a racing tip
Safety always comes first; race on the strip, not on the street.
All About The Favorites
Food?
Cheeseburgers and fries.
Restaurant?
Chipotle
Favorite dish made by your mother?
Any of her Mexican dishes are the best.
Color?
Red
Music?
All but country and rap.
Book/Magazine?
Self help books on tape/Racer Magazine
Do you have any collections/collectibles?
I like to collect high-end watches (timepieces) and 1/24 die cast drag racing cars.
Favorite collectible?
My favorite collectible is an autographed Kansas City Chiefs Neil Smith helmet
Favorite Cruz Pedregon collectible?
My hot sauce.
Season (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter)?
Winter because there is cooler weather and I can bum around next to the fireplace.
Song?
"Strawberry Fields Forever" by The Beatles
Movie?
Jaws
Actor/actress?
Robert De Niro/Uma Thurman
Super hero?
Popeye
Cartoon Character?
Bugs Bunny
TV show?
Sanford & Son / Martin
Driver?
Sammy Swindell - Sprint Cars, Don Prudhomme - Drag Racing, Tony Stewart - Nascar, Ayrton Senna -F-1 & Bobby Unser - Indy Car
Track?
Any dirt, oval track.
Pro sport / team?
NFL Football / The Oakland Raiders
College sport / team?
N/A
Athlete?
Pro Quarterbacks
Vacation spot?
Snowy mountains in Colorado
Foreign Country?
I will get back to you on that one.
Greatest Rock n Roll Band of all time, The Rolling Stones or Beatles?
The Rolling Stones
Three things that you would miss most if you were ship wrecked on a desert island?
Coke Zero, Tacos, & Rocky Road Ice Cream
