FERNANDO CUADRA JR.
standard of electronic fuel injection, the pow-
erful Pontiac was fitted with the standard 500ci
engine, as well as a Liberty transmission, so
Fernando Jr. was treated to the full experience
of taking command over a factory hot rod with
plenty of horsepower. He also learned the ne-
cessity of finessing the car and knowing when
to lift as Phoenix weather brought about some
challenging conditions. “It was good to help me
get to know the car,” he says. “I’m very excited
to race Pro Stock.”
Of course, the car in which he earned his li-
cense isn’t one that will be used in competition;
Cuadra Racing tapped Jerry Haas to build them
a brand-new Ford Mustang, of which they took
possession before the season began.
At the time of print, the car was in the final
stages of being completed and slated to be ready
for Fernando Jr.’s Pro Stock debut at the 2019
NHRA Virginia Nationals in Richmond, May
17-19. If it is not ready, they intend to utilize one
of the KB Racing Pro Stockers.
The Mustang will not be powered by Chev-
rolet-branded KB Racing, though. The Cuadra
family purchased engines from the Gray Motor-
sports arsenal – not the engines used by 2018 Pro
Stock champion Tanner Gray, however – and the
team will be supplying their own power, as well
as their own tune-up.
“I have all my old log books, every run I ever
made from 2003 and 2004,” explains Fernando
Sr. “I saved them for this.” Within the log books
are pages of notes, including one laminated sheet
that Fernando Sr. calls his “Pro Stock bible.” It
is basically a flow chart in list-form, explaining
what to do in any given situation.
The log book came to use in Phoenix when his
son was licensing. “My dad 100 percent gave me
all the set-ups and was teaching me how,” says
Fernando Jr. “I’ve wanted to be a Pro Stock driver
for a long time. When my dad was racing back in
2003 and 2004, we knew we loved racing. Even
when he wasn’t racing, we still kept in touch with
Pro Stock watching through the Internet.
ALL-IN Pro Stock is a family affair for Cuadra Racing.
Fernando Jr.’s parents, Deanna and Fernando Sr.,
brothers Cristian and David, and family friends (at
rear of car) walk to the starting line (top). Fernando
Jr. (bottom right) and brother David both have Pro
Stock plans.
“It was good for me to start racing in Pro Com-
petition in Mexico and finish in second place last
year. It was a good season, but my best accom-
plishment so far was to graduate from college.”
Fernando Jr. secured a degree in Business En-
gineering from the Ibero-American University in
Mexico. In addition to his formal education, he
and his brothers have received an education as
the crew for his father’s KB Racing Chevrolet Ca-
maro. They are at every race and work diligently
throughout the weekend to prepare the car for
each round. Last season and so far in 2019, fans
can catch a glimpse of their workspace in the
back of the KB Racing pit area. Mom Deanna
works alongside her sons, and it’s a family affair
each time they come to the starting line for a pass.
Each of the Cuadra boys plan to move up to Pro
Stock, eventually, and are first taking their turns in
Top Sportsman, getting accustomed to the NHRA
national event scene. Family friend, engine builder
and Cuadra Racing crew member Julio Rodriguez
also plans to join the NHRA Pro Stock ranks, and
the longtime Mopar campaigner purchased a for-
mer Erica Enders-driven Dodge Dart.
The Pro Stock expansion begins with Fernan-
do Jr., though, and his father couldn’t be more
pleased to welcome his oldest son to the upper
echelon of NHRA drag racing. “My son officially
got his Pro Stock license,” Fernando Sr. says with
a wide grin. “I’ve been waiting for so many years.
He finally made DI
it.” DI DI
DI DI DI DI
DI DI DI
104 | D r a g
I l l u s t r a t e d | DragIllustrated.com
Issue 144