Thomas Carter Toronto preview

Carter shooting to rebound in Toronto

CAYUGA, Ont. - IHRA Alcohol Funny Car driver Thomas Carter and his "Jawbreaker" Racing Team has had a very up and down season. The 'ups' have been very high as Carter has scored two wins in five events, and hopes to add a third during this weekend's IHRA Canadian Nationals at Toronto Motorsports Park.

Carter, who is a practicing Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon in Victoria, Texas, enters the event third in points standings, and feels that consistency will not only be the key for winning the race, but qualifying for the ultra-competitive eight car field.

"The first run is the most important of the weekend," said Carter. "If you get a solid lap in on the first run Friday, you can build on that or experiment during the rest of qualifying. If you don't you're playing catch-up all weekend. It's not easy to make one of these eight car fields, so if you don't get down the track, then lose a run to weather like we did in Great Bend, you might not even qualify."

"Raceday is a whole different ballgame," Carter continues. "You don't necessarily have to have the fastest car to win. In the two races we won, we won one from the eight spot and one from the seventh. That's the mindset my Crew Chief Jeff Fowler has. Jeff's been racing for a long time and knows how to anticipate the changing conditions we see on Sunday. Jeff's experience was key in winning those two races."

Following a disappointing first round redlight two weeks ago in Milan, Mich., Carter and the team hope to rebound this weekend.

"I feel like we had a car that could have won up there in Milan," stated Carter. "I was just gunning for the tree and pulled the trigger too early. Hopefully we can pick up where we left off and put the car back in the winner's circle."

Professional qualifying begins on Friday with two sessions, followed by two more sessions on Saturday, which culminates in Saturday's "Night of Fire" qualifying under the lights. Final eliminations will conclude the event on Sunday.

Contact: Will Hanna/ Pro Race Communications
Email: Will.Hanna@InsideTopAlcohol.com