Drag Illustrated Issue 133, June 2018 | Page 93

Super Gas combination to the track. “After all that, we went down there and ran a 9.900 first pass out. We were elated. It was such a relief. “Our partners have supported us through thick and thin and helped us make it back out to the track. We couldn’t do this without Quick Fuel Technology, Ohio Crankshaft, BMP Products, Lucas Oil, K&N Filters, Goodyear, Moser, Comp Cams, ATM Innovations, Trick Flow, Abruzzi Transmissions and Reid Racing.” While things were temporarily looking up in Su- per Gas, the throttle stop line came off the dragster and Michelle ended up missing both time runs in Super Comp. The Super Gas Corvette Roadster continued to be consistent and Michelle worked her way through the first four rounds of competition. There was yet one more thing to go wrong. “We lost all the teeth off the flywheel,” she says. “The car would heat so fast I had to cut the car off through the lights. They would push me back to the pit. They were having to try to turn the motor by hand. In the final, John Sikish was trying to turn the motor, but he couldn’t do it and Brad Plourd got it turned enough that it fired. The guy that I ran is an awesome guy. He sat there and waited on me. I took some deep breaths and I had Solutions, Melling and Wiseco. the tree in final. I was .003 on the tree, dead-on After the incredible – albeit tumultuous – start with a 2. He was .010, dead-on with an 8. to the season, Ricky unfortunately had a second “When I pulled off top end, the whole week just trip to the ER, then later underwent surgery to hit me. I sat in that car and bawled like a baby.” repair his arm. Michelle also had to have surgery The curse had lifted. Ricky and Michelle had on her chin. They rolled into GALOT Motorsports defeated all the odds, bounced back from a near- Park later in the spring for an NHRA Division death experience and rose victorious. 2 event and were met with still more adversity. As if on auto-pilot, Michelle followed up her Someone drove a motorhome over the front end divisional win with another final-round finish at of their dragster. And yet they maintained focus the Gatornationals the following weekend. and followed up with another final round in Super “I think that experience changes you,” Michelle Comp. That makes Michelle three for three in confides. “It takes you off the chip; you’re a little final rounds this season. more laid back because you don’t sweat the small For better or worse, through thick and thin, stuff as much.” Ricky and Michelle Furr stand by each other and With an incredible start to the year, Michelle make a formidable team. This season is just get- will continue chasing the Division 2 and na- ting started, and while they are no doubt praying tional points. for a break from the difficulties that have plagued Ricky and Michelle will celebrate 31 years of them, Ricky and Michelle sit in a great position marriage this year, and there is certainly much to pursue an NHRA championship. to celebrate. “God is so good,” Michelle says with certainty. Ricky and Michelle also thank partners Jegs, “We have been through it, but we feel so blessed. Jesel, Simpson, RCI, Suncoast, Aerospace, It’s been crazy and we’re a little exhausted, but Hawk, Moroso, Computech, JW Performance, everyone is healthy and we’re having the ride of TurboStart, PowerMaster, Digital Delay, Holley a lifetime right now. We’re going to keep press- Products, Alto Red Eagle, DEI, NGK, Drag Race ing forward.” DI DI DI DI DI DI DI June 2018 DI DI DI DragIllustrated.com | D r a g I l l u s t r a t e d | 93