Skuza Interview

[Cliff]

INTERVIEW WITH DEAN SKUZA - LIFE AFTER THE BIG TIME | Competition Plus

Dean Skuza is over drag racing. And, that's not a knock on the sport. Skuza, 53, has settled into the simpler life of enjoying his family and a life where he's not chasing the NHRA drag racing tour from coast to coast. A day of babysitting his grandson Theodore, 2, is more gratifying anyway...

www.competitionplus.com

 

[Paul]

That was a good catch up.

 

[mick]

now THAT is a great interview.
and if it was exactly like it was then, hell yeah, man. I'd probably be fighting to do it again.
what does this mean exactly? does it mean the costs, the nitro, the burnouts, the fun, more single car teams? hmm, wonder how many others mite think like this?
a top tier nitro racing that isn't wildly out of reach for a small group of fairly successful people.
cool pic w/stephen pearcy.

 

[Nunz]

now THAT is a great interview.
and if it was exactly like it was then, hell yeah, man. I'd probably be fighting to do it again.
what does this mean exactly? does it mean the costs, the nitro, the burnouts, the fun, more single car teams? hmm, wonder how many others mite think like this?
a top tier nitro racing that isn't wildly out of reach for a small group of fairly successful people.
cool pic w/stephen pearcy.

Probably all of the above, but I'm sure mostly the costs involved, especially starting from scratch to build a team.

 

[mgty3whlr]

Thinking, If he could lock up the starting costs and budget for the year, I'll bring bring my fishing rod out and lure him back out. Would be awesome!!!

 

[BaldyLochs]

That was really great! It’s weirdly refreshing once in a while, to hear these people just admit that their racing days are simply over; or their “whatever” days are over. Rather than constant whining, being in the outside looking in, and clinging on to a glimmer of hope, waiting for your big break seemingly indefinitely. There is life besides whatever it is you’re passionate about. And a complete lifestyle change is OK. A chapter ended. Very admirable to come out and admit it

 

[DrRocket]

I remember a few years after he'd quit, I saw a small interview where he said that the births of his kids were a major game changer for him. I'm glad he's at peace with the way things worked out.

The "What's Skuza been up to lately" question has finally been answered.

 

[FABMAN]

Great Interview !!!

 

[mick]

Probably all of the above, but I'm sure mostly the costs involved, especially starting from scratch to build a team.

nunz, what i was suggesting is that the costs have probably gone up disproportionately to inflation. the new younger fella' alex miladinovich reminds me a lot of dean, but i don't see alex making
the whole tour, or coming up with mopar or matco tools as major sponsors anytime soon. there was a time when the sponsors looked for teams to represent them.
compare 'mopar' today as they are seen on the multi-car team of dsr, and yesterday as a single team sponsor; aka skuzas, johnsons, and gwynns. and mopar was even a 2-car PS sponsor at the
time too!......really great how parts plus has stuck with clay m.

 

[Von Halen]

Love this interview. Dean and Don were always so nice to myself and my family. They will always be one of my favorites of all time.

 

[TSK]

It would be neat to see Skuza at the races in the TV booth once in a while.
I bet his commentary would be great.

 

[fxconde]

In the process of corporatism of the sport he really hits the nail on the head. " I always remembered why I did it is because I was a fan at heart. "
Now it's a rich guys business/hobby!

 

[Jer]

what did skuza do after retiring from racing and also now?

 

[Nunz]

I think his dad had an injection molding business, maybe they still do.

 

[Cliff]

Wasn't he a drummer as well?

 

[Percboy]

Wasn't he a drummer as well?

Yes.....

 

[FABMAN]

what did skuza do after retiring from racing and also now?

I think dealing with Street Rods, Muscle cars and others

 

[vegasnitro]

I was shocked to read Skuza won 2 National Events. It felt like he won a lot of races, if you would have asked me I would have said 10-12 at least. Just goes to show how your memory can mess with you as you get older.

It was a good interview, very enjoyable read and I am glad Dean is doing well in his post drag racing life.

 

[TD5023]

I was shocked to read Skuza won 2 National Events. It felt like he won a lot of races, if you would have asked me I would have said 10-12 at least. Just goes to show how your memory can mess with you as you get older.

It was a good interview, very enjoyable read and I am glad Dean is doing well in his post drag racing life.

I was thinking the same. I was a kid during his active years, but I definitely remember him getting a lot of coverage. I guess seeing him a lot can trick the mind into believing he had more actual on-track success. Then again, it does make sense when you consider he was running while John Force was nearly unstoppable. After all, Force won the championship every year Skuza competed except his last year (2003), and that's when Tony Pedregon won running for Force.