BY KELLY WADE
he 2018 season of NHRA’s Mello Yello
Drag Racing Series saw the surprising return of
Fernando Cuadra Sr. to the ultra-competitive Pro
Stock class. Absent from the Pro Stock picture for
14 years, Fernando Sr. was certainly not forgotten
by anyone he crossed paths with. His friendly,
charismatic and competitive nature would be
difficult to remove from memory. In 2019, there
will be another Cuadra joining the professional
ranks and making his mark: his son, Fernando
Cuadra Jr.
Fernando Sr., of Leon, Mexico, had last been
active as a professional driver in 2004. The owner
of Corral Boots didn’t plan to leave racing, but
that December a tsunami wiped out his factory
in Indonesia, and the magnitude of the lives lost
deeply impacted the compassionate businessman.
He sold everything and channeled as much finan-
cial support as possible to the families of those
lost in the tragedy.
During the 14 years that he was away from
racing, Fernando Sr. and wife Deanna were ded-
icated to rebuilding their business and raising
their three sons, Fernando Jr., now 23 years old,
and twins David and Cristian, 20.
During that time of rebuilding and growth, the
family did not lose their enthusiasm for racing.
All three of the Cuadra boys became active in
NALLY KNOWN
Cuadra Jr. joins the fold
May 2019
PHOTOGRAPHS BY RICK BELDEN,
WILL MCDOUGLE AND WINLIGHT COMMUNICATIONS
DragIllustrated.com
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