Leah Pritchett To Pull Double Duty In Top Fuel and Full Factory Super Stock Shootout Schedules
Team Speed Society Racing’s own Leah Pritchett already has some pretty big plans for 2018, looking to improve on her 5th place finish in the NHRA Top Fuel championship chase in her DSR dragster. However, the ultra-competitive Pritchett isn’t content with “just” wheeling one of the quickest and fastest cars on the planet, so for 2018, she will also be competing in all 7 races that make up the Factory Super Stock shootout behind the wheel of a supercharged Drag Pak Challenger.
Pritchett’s 354 cubic-inch HEMI® engine-powered Drag Pak Challenger will be prepped and maintained by DSR, led by crew chief and new DSR employee Kevin Helms. Helms brings years of experience driving and tuning a Mopar Dodge Challenger Drag Pak to his new role, including a 2015 NHRA Stock Eliminator World Championship and 2017 NHRA Stock and Super Stock runner-up finishes.
“We’re excited that, in addition to competing under the banner of the Mopar and Dodge brands in the NHRA Top Fuel class, Leah Pritchett will also carry our colors into NHRA Factory Stock Showdown competition,” said Pietro Gorlier, Head of Parts and Service (Mopar), FCA. “Leah is a fierce competitor and a great brand ambassador, and we look forward to cheering her on in double-duty at seven events this year.”
Leah got a taste of the double-duty lifestyle at two races last season when she slid behind the wheel of the Challenger to mix it up with some of the big names in sportsman racing. I can’t imagine the differences in going from an 11,000 horsepower rocket ship on wheels to a doorslammer with a cushy suspension that leaves with the nose high in the air, but Pritchett is up to the task.
“It’s a dream come true. The double-duty aspect, I had a taste of it last year and honestly, I think it makes me a better racer overall. When we roll out in 2018, the Mopar Dodge Challenger Drag Pak will be put on the track by Don Schumacher Racing, which makes me feel fulfilled in every way,” said Pritchett of doubling-up.
“To have a three-time World Champion Sportsman racer like Kevin Helms (as crew chief) is definitely an ace in my pocket, and I’m just being a student of his. We have had a pretty good off-season of development. The test sessions we’ve had, I never experienced a crew chief that was a driver and tuner before, so the dynamic is very exciting and compelling to me. Kevin is definitely a very large asset to the program, which gives me a ton of confidence.”
To keep the fans involved, they will be able to vote on the color scheme the car will wear for the season. Look for more info on that coming from our friends over and Hoonigan, who will be handling the appearance of the car and the fan voting process!
Thanks to CompetitionPlusTV for the excellent footage of Leah in action from the 2017 US Nationals.
