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JOLIET, Ill. (June 8, 2008) – Jeff Wahl, of New Lennox, Ill., became the 10th NAPA Honorary Crew Member today at the Route 66 NHRA Nationals at Route 66 Raceway, the 10th round of the 2008 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.
Wahl had a look of complete surprise when his name was called. He thought he would be pressed into service as a working crew member on the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car driven by Ron Capps. He was quickly relieved to learn that he had earned the honor but wouldn't actually have to turn a wrench on the NAPA Funny Car.
Wahl, 49, owns Hollywood Motors in nearby Brookfield, Ill., which also doubles as a custom bike shop. He was selected to be the NAPA Honorary Crew Member by Scott Cochetta, Chicago NAPA District Sales Manager. Wahl serves as the president of the 13 NAPA Car Care Centers in his area and represents the NAPA Car Care national group for the Midwest.
"I've been a drag-racing fan for a long time," said Wahl. "We only live about five miles from Route 66 Raceway so we come to the races quite a bit. We sponsor three Toyota Scions, so we're out here at the track all the time."
As NAPA Honorary Crew Member Wahl received a NAPA team shirt and met the entire NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge Charger Funny Car crew. He watched some of the Top Fuel racing from the starting line and then escorted the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car to the staging lanes in the team's Dodge Durango tow vehicle for the first round of eliminations. He also helped retrieve the car at the end of the track following the run
"This is a pretty incredible deal," he said. "I didn't realize that it was going to be such an exciting honor. I didn't expect any of this. I thought it was just going to be a photo shoot and I'd have a chance to meet the drivers. Once I found out what was involved I was pretty shocked. It's a tremendous honor."
Also in attendance in Chicago was Mike Rearden, Manager of Sponsors and Events for NAPA AUTO PARTS, who took in the drag-racing action at Route 66 Raceway with his son Zach.
During the season the NAPA distribution centers at each event will have different criteria for choosing the people who are potential NAPA Honorary Crew members.
NEW LENNOX, ILL.'s JEFF WAHL SELECTED AS NAPA HONORARY CREW MEMBER IN JOLIET
JOLIET, Ill. (June 8, 2008) – Jeff Wahl, of New Lennox, Ill., became the 10th NAPA Honorary Crew Member today at the Route 66 NHRA Nationals at Route 66 Raceway, the 10th round of the 2008 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.
Wahl had a look of complete surprise when his name was called. He thought he would be pressed into service as a working crew member on the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car driven by Ron Capps. He was quickly relieved to learn that he had earned the honor but wouldn't actually have to turn a wrench on the NAPA Funny Car.
Wahl, 49, owns Hollywood Motors in nearby Brookfield, Ill., which also doubles as a custom bike shop. He was selected to be the NAPA Honorary Crew Member by Scott Cochetta, Chicago NAPA District Sales Manager. Wahl serves as the president of the 13 NAPA Car Care Centers in his area and represents the NAPA Car Care national group for the Midwest.
"I've been a drag-racing fan for a long time," said Wahl. "We only live about five miles from Route 66 Raceway so we come to the races quite a bit. We sponsor three Toyota Scions, so we're out here at the track all the time."
As NAPA Honorary Crew Member Wahl received a NAPA team shirt and met the entire NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge Charger Funny Car crew. He watched some of the Top Fuel racing from the starting line and then escorted the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car to the staging lanes in the team's Dodge Durango tow vehicle for the first round of eliminations. He also helped retrieve the car at the end of the track following the run
"This is a pretty incredible deal," he said. "I didn't realize that it was going to be such an exciting honor. I didn't expect any of this. I thought it was just going to be a photo shoot and I'd have a chance to meet the drivers. Once I found out what was involved I was pretty shocked. It's a tremendous honor."
Also in attendance in Chicago was Mike Rearden, Manager of Sponsors and Events for NAPA AUTO PARTS, who took in the drag-racing action at Route 66 Raceway with his son Zach.
During the season the NAPA distribution centers at each event will have different criteria for choosing the people who are potential NAPA Honorary Crew members.
