John Lombardo Jr. and the NAPA Auto Parts/Lucas Oil Top Alcohol Funny Car team shook down their new McKinney car during testing at Auto Club Famoso Raceway.


LAS VEGAS, April 4, 2018 – John Lombardo Jr. is ready to make his 2018 season debut at this weekend’s DENSO Spark Plugs Four-Wide Nationals in Las Vegas with a new car and the same mindset that drove the NAPA Auto Parts/Lucas Oil Chevy Camaro Top Alcohol Funny Car team to nine total wins in 2017.

Though eager to begin his pursuit of the 2018 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series championship, Lombardo and team patiently put a new race car together while others put their first competitive runs in the books in Pomona and Gainesville. Once the thorough process was completed at the team’s Southern California headquarters, they gained valuable information with the new frame at a test session at Auto Club Famoso Raceway before venturing out to The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Lombardo doesn’t foresee five months’ time elapsed or a whole new race car tempering the considerable momentum he gained with wins in Las Vegas and Pomona to close the 2017 season in November. He drives with confidence knowing that the team surrounding him has immaculately prepared the supercharged, methanol-burning hot rod.

“Rick Jackson, Chris Perl, and crew are known to take first class race cars to the starting line,” said Lombardo. “Their efforts produce results as evidenced by nine wins in 17 races last year, including Vegas and Pomona in November. Our offseason has been a bit longer than normal, but it was extremely busy and productive.

“We are debuting a new McKinney Camaro and starting our season this weekend at Las Vegas. I can't wait to let the clutch out and pour the power to it, so we can see what this car needs to run up front and trigger those win lights!”

The reigning Central Region champion had a fruitful 2017 campaign with nine victories that included a perfect six-for-six sweep in regional event competition. His three national event wins included the most prestigious site on the schedule, the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. Not ones to rest on their laurels, Lombardo and team owner Jackson are methodically looking ahead at the tasks at hand to do one better than their runner-up finish in the national championship.


photo: Terry Bart

Jackson Lombardo Racing is sponsored by NAPA Filters, NAPA Auto Parts, Lucas Oil, Centre Pointe Collision, Hoosier Tire, NAPA Legend Batteries, NAPA Belts and Hoses, Carlyle Tools, NAPA Power Supreme, Mahle/Clevite, NGK Spark Plugs, CP-Carrillo, Arvada Excavating, and Jackson’s Auto Supply.

You can follow Lombardo on his web site and social media (Facebook and Twitter).

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About Jackson Lombardo Racing

Jackson Lombardo Racing was formed in 2014 when two successful Southern California-based Top Alcohol Funny Car teams led by driver John Lombardo Jr. and owner/crew chief Rick Jackson combined resources. Lombardo grew up the son of Funny Car driver “Lil’ John” Lombardo and competed in open-wheel racing for 15 years before entering the NHRA ranks in 2009. Lombardo is the national speed record holder at 274.61 mph. He is the 2011 Division 7 champion, the 2013 and 2015-2016 Central Region champion, a multiple-time national event winner, and a two-time winner of the prestigious JEGS Allstars event. The JLR team also includes Chris Perl, Scott Manning, Mike Pavia, Les Davenport, and LuAnn Bishop.