Prudhomme extends contracts for crew chiefs

Don Prudhomme Racing has extended the contracts of both crew chief Don Bender and co-crew chief Todd Smith of the U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company Top Fuel dragster for the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle season.

The tuning duo began in June of 2006. This season has seen U.S. Smokeless Racing’s crew chiefs direct the team to one win (Phoenix) in five final rounds, collect four low-qualifier awards and earn the No. 3 berth in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs, where Larry Dixon and crew are currently sitting fourth in the point standings and remain in contention for the 2008 NHRA POWERade Championship.

Bender and Smith’s guidance has also resulted in the U.S. Smokeless Racing crew’s efficiency during qualifying, as the team is currently ranked No. 2 in the 2008 Full Throttle Pit Crew Challenge standings.  (Ron Lewis photo) [9/24/2008]