Switzer Dynamics Pro Nitrous presented by MoTeC was the Class to Watch this Season

Tommy Franklin Silenced Naysayers and Won it All

PITTSBORO, NC – The Nitrous Wars, both the unofficial smack talk between drivers/engine builders and the official Flatout Gaskets Nitrous Wars, were clearly beloved by fans this season. Pro Nitrous was the class to watch. It provided one of the tightest points races and competition levels of the season. There was no determining winners before the final round was run. Even the Switzer Dynamics Pro Nitrous presented by MoTeC World Championship title came down to the final two runs of the season. It’s the stuff dreams are made of and, for Tommy Franklin, those dreams came true.

After finishing second the first two seasons of the PDRA, Franklin nearly resorted himself to forever holding that number two badge. Jay Cox led the points for much of the year and Franklin sat in his familiar number two spot. But when do-or-die time came, Franklin turned up the heat.

Franklin and Cox were neck-and-neck in points going into the final race of the year. Both qualified well at the PDRA World Finals and worked their way through the rounds. As fate would have it, the two met in the semi-finals. With just a handful of points separating Cox and Franklin, whoever won that round would be the World Champion.

“I joked about that round before we ran, saying, ‘Why couldn’t somebody take care of it before it got to this point,’ but afterwards I realized there was no better way: everything coming down to that run and having it all in your hands,” Franklin expressed. “That’s the way you want to have it. I went into that round feeling really confident. We were running really good and at that point I knew all I could do was go in there and do my job. Somebody comes out a winner and somebody comes out a loser. There wasn’t any pressure at that point, because I’ve already finished second twice.”

Franklin was clearly up for the task. He took a slight starting line advantage and never looked back. Cox ran into trouble, slowing to a 5.761 while Franklin powered to an impressive 3.699. In just under four seconds the championship was determined and Franklin would wear the number two no more.

“It feels really good. It’s something you dream of – to be able to win a world championship. To race against the competition level that we have, it’s very gratifying to win the championship. I was starting to question whether I would, but we had a storybook day at Virginia Motorsports Park. The car was perfect, the Pat Musi engine was perfect. My crew and everybody did great. Everything just came together. I just thank the Good Lord for blessing us with what we have.

“Lee [Sebring] was down there in the Top End Zone with the camera right in my face before I ever got out of the car,” Franklin remembered of the championship-determining run. “He caught a little bit of emotion there. It was exciting. It felt like the weight of the world was lifted. We had a final round to still go to, but I didn’t even care about it at that point. We went back and decided just to go for the record. We had great air, great race track, and you don’t get those opportunities all the time. Lee even called it, saying we would run a 3.67 next round and that’s exactly what we did.”

After winning the championship and having all the pressure off, Franklin put together the best performance of the season. He defeated “Stevie Fast” Jackson in the final with an astounding 3.677 elapsed time at 204.70 miles per hour. His 3.699 from the semi-final round was enough to back up his final round performance and reset the Pro Nitrous National ET Record. Franklin put a bold proverbial exclamation point on his championship, effectively silencing his naysayers.

“You always have your haters and you always have people looking for excuses, but I can honestly say that we did it the way it should be done,” Franklin emphasized. “We ran fast. I didn’t give away anything. Nobody gave anything away for us. I race with Pat and Lizzy a lot and we help each other a lot, but she beat me in the final at GALOT by .00 margin of victory and then her and I had to race second round of the Bradenton race, and she was certainly going after me there. There’s no doubt we were definitely racing for it every round. The people out there that say it was different are crazy to think that. I don’t want anything given to me.

“It was a hard battle all year long,” Franklin added. “Jay was strong. In the middle of the season I think he went three in a row. I got the crew together, regrouped and told everybody, ‘Look, all we can do is control what we do.’ I have a great crew that really keep their composure well. That’s the way we went into Virginia, confident in what we could do. Sunday at Virginia just became a perfect dream season. I think we went 3.70, 3.70, 3.69 and 3.67 there.

“Jay and I have an interesting relationship,” continued the Fredericksburg, Virginia native, hinting toward the friendly rivalries that exist between Pro Nitrous competitors. “Yeah, we are friends, but we’re very, very, very competitive toward each other. Jay talks a lot of junk and Jay’s crew talks a lot of junk. I’ll just say it like this: It was very satisfying to shut them up. You can build yourself up, but it’s a hard fall if you don’t live up to it. I don’t like to talk a whole lot of junk, but it’s kind of easy to Jay for some reason. He’s the only one it comes easy to. He’s already starting to talk smack for next year. We’ll see. You’re not getting into my head. I don’t care.”

It seems the more intense the battle, the more satisfying the victory. After two seasons of championship near-misses and a down-to-the-wire championship decision in 2016, Franklin is finally able to revel in the thrill of victory. That doesn’t mean he’s about to slow down, however. Franklin and engine builder Pat Musi have a full offseason planned.

“With the PDRA, we’ve got the PRI Show and banquet coming,” explained Franklin, who co-owns the PDRA and owns two other businesses he and wife Judy run on a daily basis. “We’re working on advertising and sponsorship draws for next year. As far as our team, we’re working on engine program. I’m helping Pat head a lot of that up while he’s overseas. For anybody that thinks we’re going to get behind, it ain’t going to happen. We’ve got a lot of stuff in the works for next year. I’m helping Pat make sure that doesn’t lose any ground while he’s out of the country. We’ve got some exciting things coming.”

Franklin will be celebrated alongside the rest of the 2016 PDRA World Champions at the PDRA Awards Banquet, December 10 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Tickets and additional information can be found at www.pdra660.com.

“It was huge to be able to clinch the championship, and win the race, and set the national record all in one day,” Franklin said. “There’s not a whole lot more I can ask for.”

He again thanked the Lord, also adding thanks to his wife, two daughters and other family for their support, as well as his crew which consists of Chris Murray, Chase Murray and Todd Wilcox, and team partners Pat Musi Racing Engines and Wayne Rogers with Rogers Automotive.

“I want to thank everybody for their support- all the media, all the sponsors, all the fans, all the racers,” Franklin added gratefully. “Thank you for everything you do for our team and for the PDRA.”