RAG RACING is part of their heritage , but the Cuadra brothers take nothing for granted . Fernando Cuadra Sr . laid the groundwork two decades ago for his sons , Fernando Jr . and twins Cristian and David , as he made a name of his own in NHRA Pro Stock . Now , Fernando Sr . has fully handed over the reins in both racing and business as he stepped out of the car to support his sons and retired from the family business , leaving his boys — now men — at the helm .

“ It ’ s very challenging , because he left really big shoes to fill ,” says Fernando Jr . “ He ’ s a very good man , and a really good father , too . Whoever you ask , they ’ re going to say he ’ s nice and honors his word in everything he does . I ’ m trying to be that way .”

Racing is still very much a family affair , even without Dad in the seat . Fernando Sr . and wife Diana — matriarch to the Cuadra brood — are typically in attendance in support of their boys , who race under the Elite Motorsports banner .

“ The whole point of us racing is to do this as a family ,” says Cristian . “ Growing up , we saw my dad — so we wanted to do it , of course . Now that we ’ re racing and he ’ s watching us , I don ’ t want to let him down ; I want to make him proud . My mom , also , because she was there then and she ’ s here now . It ’ s really , really special for us .” Brother David wholeheartedly agrees . “ Racing with our father here and also taking the company over , we ’ re doing a lot at this stage of our lives — and it feels amazing ,” says David .

The venture into modern-day Pro Stock began with Fernando Sr . in 2018 , although the elder Cuadra initially debuted in Pro Stock in 2003 but pulled back a year later to attend to vital business needs . In his return 14 years later , he made it clear that he intended to bring his sons into the fold , as well . After enjoying success as drag racers in Mexico , the brothers didn ’ t come into NHRA racing cold . Fernando Jr . licensed first , in 2019 , and Cristian soon followed . David leaned toward the more mechanical route , acting as an integral part of the crew for his brothers while also racing a car in Top Sportsman .

All three of the boys got their start in Top Sportsman , actually , with Fernando Jr . entering the Winternationals in the dial-in sportsman category in 2019 before making his Pro Stock debut

in Richmond . Cristian raced Top Sportsman in Chicago before making his Pro Stock debut in Denver , where David got his turn and slid into the family ’ s Top Sportsman entry .

David continued to carve a path of his own in Top Sportsman as his brothers found their way in Pro Stock , reaching his first final round at the 2020 national event in Houston and reaching the final there the very next year . One year later and with true Texas spirit , David reached the final in Top Sportsman in Dallas , and the next season , 2023 , he became the first in the family to win a national event as he closed the deal at the Carolina Nationals just a couple of weeks after reaching the final round again at the NHRA FallNationals at Texas Motorplex .

Fernando Jr . reached the first final of his Pro Stock career at the Charlotte Four-Wide Nationals in 2021 . The brightest mark on Fernando Jr .’ s scorecard to date is earning his way into the final at the most prestigious , historic event on tour , the U . S . Nationals in Indianapolis . In 2023 , he outlasted the rest at the grueling though venerable event to make it to a final-round meeting with Matt Hartford . His opponent claimed victory that day , but Fernando Jr . was left buoyed by promise for the future .

“ There is so much adrenaline and pressure in Pro Stock ,” shares Fernando Jr . “ It ’ s like when you have an exam , you study so much , and then when you ’ re doing the exam , you ’ re nervous . But after they give you your grade , immediately , there is relief . Sometimes , you ’ re so happy you even want to jump and cry . It ’ s a very rewarding experience , and we made a long-term commitment here as a family . We see ourselves in this for the long run , and we care about the results , but we try to take it easy if we don ’ t accomplish what we want . We ’ re trying to make a career of it , and I see us enjoying it and maybe , finally , fighting for a championship someday .”

In 2022 , Cristian followed the lead of his brothers and reached the final at the Las Vegas Four-Wide event , finishing second to Elite Motorsports teammate Erica Enders , and he powered his way to another money round at the season-opening Gatornationals in 2024 . Cristian , known as one of the top leavers in the class with his exceptional abilities at the starting line , is aimed at a top 10 finish , despite missing a handful of races with his brothers this season as they also dive deep into learning every aspect of the family business .

“ This year has been really special for me because we skipped five races , and I still made it to the Countdown ,” he says . “ I was fighting to be No . 5 in the Countdown , and that makes me feel really proud .”

He also expressed great gratitude for being nominated and making the 30 Under 30 list , as did both Fernando Jr . and David .

“ I ’ m really surprised , and really happy , also ,” says David . “ The last [ few ] years , I was nominating Jr . because I felt he really deserved it . Now , to find out that we ’ re all three on the list ; it ’ s a dream . I know I ’ ve done really good things in my career already , but this makes me feel like a lot of people are watching us . That ’ s great .” – KELLY WADE DI

122 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 191