4 Cover Story
www.BeaconSeniorNews.com
November 2013
The need for speed through October, every other weekend at the Western Colorado oy Cozzette has Dragway, Hwy 50 and 32 three brothers, but Road. Division and nawhen she was growtional races take them to ing up, she was the Las Vegas and California. one working under To the inexperienced the car with her dad. spectator, drag racing It should come as no might appear to be as surprise that today simple as two cars drivyou can find Joy at ing as fast as they can in the Western Colorado a straight line to be the Dragway as a top first to cross the finish drag strip racer. She’s line. now part of a sport “The fastest car doesn’t that uses terms like necessarily win,” John “burnout,” “slicks,” said. “If that were the “digger,” “breakouts,” case, then the guy with “flopper” and “slingthe most money invested shot.” in his car would always Although Cozzette, win.” 53, competes in a This makes winning sport where she is much less dependent on typically outnumlarge amounts of money bered by men five and more dependent on to one, her skill and skill. competitive spirit “Everyone has a handirank her ahead right cap so you may not start now in the pro-point at exactly the same time series. Her husband John and Joy Cozette are two tough competitors when it comes to drag racing. in the race,” John said. and fellow competi- They are seen here with Joy's 1977 Vega, which is appropriately named "Joy Ride." “You have to ‘dial in’ tor, John Cozzette, your number, or the time ately named “Joy Ride.” John’s first 53, chuckled and said, “But it’s the you think it will take you to run the car was a 1969 Camaro. Today, he is last time that’s going to happen.” 1/4-mile track. The winner is the first known for popping wheelies in his The Cozzettes were born and across the finish line without going car named “Wheelie Wagon.” raised in Grand Junction and have over their predetermined time.” Sharing the love of the competitive been friends since first grade. They Drag racing is both a mental and world of drag racing calls for a strong reconnected at their 20th Grand machine sport. marriage. Junction High School reunion and “You have gauges and a computer, “This town is so small that we race and you factor in temperature, wind, married seven years ago. each other, friends and family,” Joy John shared the love of drag rachumidity and barometric pressure,” said. “If you win, you have to earn it.” John said. “Cars run faster or slower ing with his dad for years, starting John said they don’t cut each other under different conditions. For in 1978. After a two-year break and any slack. trying other interests, he was back example, in the heat of the summer, “If you race, you have to want to into racing with a new partner by his the car thinks it’s at 8,000 feet and at win,” he said. side. Joy started out in the pit crew, sea level a car will run faster. Within You also have to want all it takes to the same day, conditions change, so but said, “It’s much more fun drivcompete. ing.” you have to change how you drive. “This is a lifestyle, a real commitJoy has won two track class chamWinning versus losing a race can be a ment,” John said. “We use all of our pionships in her four years of racing. matter of thousands of a second.” “We built a car for Joy,” John said. “I vacation time and extra money on Joy has her own strategy. drag racing.” created a monster!” “I learned by just listening to the Her original 1977 Vega is appropriThe race season lasts from April guys talk,” Joy said. “The guys are alBy Melanie Wiseman
Rodney Snider
Racing is a family affair Rodney and Karen Snider, both 50, and Bud Pruess, 52, share a lot in common. The Sniders have owned Scotty’s Muffler for 31 years and Pruess has owned Bud’s Signs for 33 years. But for the last five years, it seems that they work in order to compete in drag racing. Rodney and Pruess were recently in Alabama for a race called “The Million.” “Name only, not the purse,” Rodney said. The Sniders’ two sons raced, but once they left the nest, they left a drag racing car behind. Rodney suggested to Karen that they modify it and start racing. “We made it a family affair,” Rodney said. “It’s something the two of us enjoy doing together.” For Pruess, racing allows him to spend quality time with his son. Pruess enjoys the competitiveness, the common goal, traveling and the camaraderie of drag racing. “The time in the seat actually racing is a very small part of the whole sport,” Pruess said. “The rest of the time is spent working on your car and sharing experiences with the other drivers.” Pruess boasts about the local racing facilities. He encourages friends and groups to come watch on the weekends. “Friday night streetcar racing helps keep kids off the streets," he said. Pruess said drag racing is an equal sport, where age, physical condition, sex and experience don’t always mean you’re the best driver. Drag racing allows for all drivers to compete on an even playing field.
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