It was pedal fest, after pedal fest, after red light, after pedal fest...
What's the best way to explain a pedal fest?
Cruz Pedregon, driver of the Snap-on Funny Car and two-time NHRA Funny Car Champion, said that a pedal fest is "When two cars smoke the tires at the same time, the key is to 'pedal' the car. This means that you try to catch the car in tire smoke as quick as possible and let off the throttle. Then, you get right back on gradually and hope the car works through it. If not, repeat."
This is when it becomes a battle. Remember, the goal is always to get to the finish line first, so the drivers may have to step on it six or seven times (maybe more) to beat the car in the other lane.
I can't even imagine what it must feel like stepping on and off of the throttle in a car with an average of 8,000 horsepower, but Pedregon tried to sum it up for those of us who have not experienced it: "You have to be one with the car. I just react in a slip second. Depending on the number of times I have to get back on the car, I'm going back and forth in the seat."
A photo of a pedal fest. Photo courtesy of www.markjrebilas.com.
The photo above is a great illustration, but I think the best way to understand it is to watch it. Click here for a video of a pedal fest between Phil Burkhart and Cruz Pedregon at Thunder Valley in 2004.
Pretty impressive, exciting, and arguably one of the best I've seen.
However, out of the multitude of pedal fests he has been a part of over the years, the most memorable for Pedregon was the 1992 final between him and John Force in Dallas.
"Without question, that win stands out. The championship was on the line, and it was a come from behind victory," he said.
Is there a pedal fest battle that stands out the most in your mind? Share your thoughts!
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