NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Cruz Pedregon announced the hiring of Tommy DeLago as the crew chief of his Snap-On Tools Funny Car. In conjunction, Pedregon released Aaron Brooks from the position of crew chief. Brooks joined the Snap-On team prior to the 2017 season. 

DeLago most recently was the full-time tuner of the Funny Car driven by Shawn Langdon with Kalitta Motorsports. He also offered tuning advice to Greg Carrillo, who pilots a Top Fuel Dragster on a part-time basis. He is a championship crew chief while tuning the Funny Car driven by Matt Hagan. 

Pedregon earned one Wally while Brooks tuned his Snap-On Tools Funny Car, the NGK Spark Plugs Charlotte Four-Wide Nationals in 2018. He currently sits in 12th in the standings with two races remaining before the points lock in and the Countdown to the Championship begins. 

The official press release from Cruz Pedregon Racing follows:

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Team owner and driver Cruz Pedregon announced Wednesday the hiring of noted tuner/crew chief Tommy DeLago as the crew chief for the team’s Snap-on Toyota Camry Funny Car effective immediately.

“Tommy has one of the most impressive resumes in the sport and we believe he can help take our Snap-on Funny Car to the Countdown to the Championship playoffs,” said Pedregon. “His championship-winning experience will be a tremendous asset to our program.” 

DeLago was the crew chief of the 2011 Funny Car world champion driven by Matt Hagan.  He also was the first crew chief to guide a nitro-fueled Funny Car to a pass under four seconds (3.995, Charlotte 2, 2011). Most recently, he was with Kalitta Motorsports where he tuned Alexis DeJoria to all of her five career wins, including the prestigious U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis in 2014.

“I’m very excited to be with a great team that has a lot of potential,” said DeLago. ”I’m going to do my best to come and get this Snap-on Tools Funny Car into the Countdown.”

DeLago will replace Aaron Brooks, who was released by the team earlier on Wednesday.

“I felt a change was needed and I wish Aaron all the best in his future endeavors,” said Pedregon. 

DeLago will join the team in Indianapolis on Thursday, with his first race as crew chief coming at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway, August 3-5.