BY ALLEN GREGORY
BRISTOL HERALD COURIER
BRISTOL, Tenn. – Success in drag racing centers around split-second reactions and mind-bending adjustments.
Del Worsham knows the story, from all angles.
For 18 years, the California native drove a family-owned Funny Car in the National Hot Rod Association. Worsham won 22 races and was a vital part of the NHRA scene.
Like many of his peers in then a corporate-driven sport, Worsham faced a sudden red light last season when he lost his sponsor.
“I wasn’t sure what I was going to do,” Worsham said in a phone interview. “The economy was very uncertain, and things were looking kind of dark for me.”
Enter Alan Johnson.
After guiding Tony Schumacher to five consecutive NHRA Top Fuel championships, the famed crew chief decided to form his own team.
Even Worsham remains a bit amazed with how fast he landed a new job.
“I spoke to Alan about working with him for about five minutes at last year’s U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis,” Worsham said. “Alan knew exactly what he wanted and what he was going to do.
“Alan and I had a five-minute conservation, and then we talked again. We had a deal after just two five-minute conservations.”
That unique agreement soon attracted national, even international, attention. Johnson formed a partnership with Sheik Khalid Bin Hamad Al Thani from the state of Qatar, and tabbed two-time series champion Larry Dixon to drive his Top Fuel dragster.
“Things couldn’t have turned out any better,” Worsham said. “Alan has assembled an unreal group of guys on the crew, and Larry has so much experience. We’re making progress each week.”
With a win in the most recent race at St. Louis, Worsham moved up to second in Funny Car points behind Ron Capps. He hopes to continue that momentum this weekend in the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway.
“It’s been awesome to come to Bristol over the years and watch the facility grow with [dragway owner] Bruton Smith,” Worsham said. “I came here the first time around 1988 when
Art Hendy was driving for our team, and I always remember how dark the track was down toward the finish line.”
Worsham won an International Hot Rod Association in 1992 at the track commonly known as Thunder Valley. He also won in 2003. Chuck Worsham, Del’s father, was the guiding force behind both of those victories.
“Dad’s still works at our race shop back in California,” Worsham said. “We had a great time racing together and we have a lot of great memories, but this is a new era for me.
“I used to do everything from drive and tune the car to take care of our hotel reservations. I don’t miss any of those responsibilities at all.”
Worsham feels the success story of the Johnson-Al-Anabi Racing is just beginning. Al-Anabi, who has constructed a drag strip in Qatar, attended the season-opening event in Pomona and has kept in close contact with Worsham and company.
“This partnership has given us exposure from a lot of people who might not have paid attention to our sport before,” said Worsham, whose team was featured in a recent Wall Street Journal feature story. “I’m very happy with the way things have turned out.
“This is a different approach to racing for me, but I’m enjoying it.”
agregory@bristolnews.com|(276) 645-2544
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