Worsham looks to improve at Wild Horse Pass

Del Worsham

Richard Shute/Autoimagery

Previously, two-time NHRA world champion Del Worsham has made three appearances in the final round at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, and this weekend he is going for a fourth. Worsham and his Lucas Oil Toyota Camry Funny Car will return to the desert this weekend with even bigger goals than he had at the season opening race in Pomona. Starting on Friday at the 33rd annual NHRA Arizona Nationals, Worsham and his team will focus on qualifying and continuing to improve for the rest of the season.

"My goal for this race is definitely just to pick up where we left off and try to improve. Improve our qualifying position, and try to go further than we did in Pomona. I would love to try and get into a final round," said Worsham, who sits sixth in the Mello Yello point standings.

Worsham has made it to the winner's circle twice at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park. In 2002 he beat John Force in the final round, and in 2004 he beat Tony Pedregon. In 2015 the NHRA Funny Car champion lost to Matt Hagan in the final round. With his past successes at this event, Worsham is hopeful that this will be the race where his team can establish a rhythm.

"I'm looking forward to getting back on the track. Pomona was kind of a start and everything was new and we didn't get a real good rhythm going. I'm looking forward to getting into Phoenix and picking up where we left off and improving," added Worsham.

With his relatively late decision to part ways with Kalitta Racing and go back to racing with his father's team, Worsham Racing, Worsham is still currently building his car and team. They are ironing out the kinks, and are hopeful that they will be able to rise through the ranks in points in Phoenix.

"We spent the time between Phoenix and Pomona mounting a new Toyota body to our Lucas Oil Funny Car. We're just getting geared up. We're a new team, so we're still getting parts in. We'll be getting delivery of our first 2018 Toyota Camry between that time, so we'll be spending time getting ready for Gainesville with that new Funny Car body," explained Worsham. "Even though we didn't win Pomona, we definitely were successful. I think we came out and did well. We found those places that were lacking and we've been able to work on those areas and just improve for Phoenix, and then for Gainesville coming up."

Qualifying starts Friday at 2:00 p.m. for Worsham and the rest of his fellow Funny Car competitors.