NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Rob Tucker, the 1998 Australian Pro Stock champion and father of current Pro Stock driver Shane Tucker, will make his NHRA debut at this week’s Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk. Tucker is entered in the team’s Auzmet Architectural Camaro and is one of 20 Pro Stock drivers competing for 16 qualifying positions.

Shane Tucker competed in the Mopar Express Lane NHRA SpringNationals presented by Pennzoil in Houston last month but has returned to Australia to tend to business obligations, opening the door for his father to make a long-awaited debut in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series.

“This is something I’ve thought about for quite a while,” said Tucker. “I never actually retired from racing. I just sort of moved out of the way to give my kids a chance to drive. Shane ran in Houston, but he’s back in Australia and has some business and meetings to tend to, so the stars sort of aligned to let me finally do this. I’m as excited as I can be. It’s going to be great fun.”

The Tucker name is synonymous with Australian drag racing. Rob enjoyed a long and successful career that began with a six-cylinder-powered EH Holden. He eventually migrated to the very popular and competitive Pro Stock class, which features 400-cid small-block engines. His best season came in 1998 when he won the Australian championship. Tucker also briefly raced alongside his kids, Shane and Kirsten, as part of a three-car team, but hasn’t driven a race car for eight years.

A week ago, Tucker checked a big item off his to-do list when he received his NHRA Pro Stock license during a test session at Atco Dragway in New Jersey. He drove John Gaydosh’s Camaro and also benefitted from the help of New Jersey-based Pro Stock racer Alan Prusiensky.

“After the race in Epping, I had a motor in John Gaydosh’s car, and it seemed the time was finally right, so we went to Atco to get my license,” said Tucker. “I’d never driven a 500-inch car before and have never driven anything with fuel injection, but we made it work. We made seven runs and didn’t do anything other than cool the car down and check the valve lash. I just wanted to make sure I didn’t screw up on the burnout but got more and more comfortable as we went on. On the first run, it shook hard, and I thought, I’ll never get my license like this, but we pulled some timing out and got through it. I eventually finished up with a 6.86 and a 6.88. By the end, I was definitely smiling.”

While Tucker admits that qualifying for the big Norwalk field will be a significant challenge, he’ll also be using a new engine that has shown a lot of potential on the dyno.

“I’ve wanted to run this engine soon before Shane is able to come back to the States because it does look promising,” said Tucker. “I really don’t know if I’ll qualify or not. It’s going to be tough but just to be out there will be great fun. This is going to be a big race for Pro Stock, and I’m proud to be a part of it. My daughter, Kristen, has told me, ‘You can do this. You never really forget how to drive a race car.’ ”

Tucker, who is also serving as the team’s crew chief, is also thrilled to have the No. 12 on the windows of his Camaro because that is the same competition number he wore on his Olds Cutlass during his run to the Australian championship in 1998.

While Tucker plans to enjoy his time behind the driver’s seat, he isn’t sure if his Norwalk appearance will be his only shot at an NHRA Pro Stock Wally.

“The whole COVID[-19] thing has made it difficult to go back and forth between the U.S. and Australia, but I do think you’ll see myself or Shane back later this year,” said Tucker. “I owe it to my wife, Janine, to get back home to see the grandkids, but now that I’ve got a license, at least I can test. I’m about 10 pounds lighter than Shane, so we should be able to get some good data. For now, I’m just thrilled to be out here this weekend.”