THERE WERE PLENTY of things to do around his family’ s home near Tulsa, Oklahoma, but a teenage Bobby Savedra III chose to spend time working on street cars with his father. They spent hour upon hour in the garage turning wrenches, and as soon as he was 16, Savedra purchased a 2005 Mustang GT and promptly pumped up its power with a Roush supercharger.

“ I have always been good with my hands, and working on cars seemed to come naturally,” says Savedra.“ I am motivated to make whatever car I am working on perform better.”

As a result, Savedra had one of the most muscular cars at his high school, and appreciated the accolades he received while driving around town.

When he turned 18, Savedra’ s father ran into Keith Haney, a successful Pro Mod racer who stands out in the Mid-West Drag Racing Series and the Drag Illustrated Winter Series, and asked if he would consider giving his son a position on his championship-winning Pro Mod team.

“ My father told him that I was a hard worker and would love the opportunity to be part of his racing team, and fortunately, Keith welcomed me aboard,” says Savedra.“ I was very happy, and my father told me to buckle up and get ready for the opportunity I was given.”

As determined as he could be, Savedra, who was working at a car wash at the time, closely observed what the team did to prepare for a race, what they did at a race, and what they did after a race. He soaked in as much information as he could the first year, and by the second year, he was helping with engine maintenance and tire and wheel maintenance on a full-time basis.

“ What I remember most about the very first race I went to as a member of Keith’ s team is how bone-shaking it felt to be standing on the starting line when his car launched,” says Savedra.“ It was awesome, and because of the team I was surrounded by, it was not intimidating or imposing. Instead, it was incredible. Now I have worked my way up to crew chief, so I am checking over everything, writing things down, making jet changes, putting pistons together and more. Among the many things I am proud of is our 2023 Mid-West Drag Racing Series Pro Mod championship.”

Savedra realizes he’ s working on a high-caliber piece. Haney’ s Jerry Bickel-built“ Black Mamba” Camaro sports a 998-cubic-inch Pat Musi engine, a nitrous system by tuner Brandon Switzer’ s Switzer Dynamics, and a Lenco and Ty-Drive and runs 3.61 at 209 mph in the eighth mile.

Savedra III, who has developed a close bond with Haney, acknowledges that being part of the team requires a huge amount of commitment and hard work, but his heart is in it.

“ This is rewarding for me personally, and I am grateful to my family, especially my dad, and to Keith, who believes in me and gave me this opportunity,” says Savedra.“ I also owe a lot to Steve Cooks, who taught me so much; Shane Goodnight, who taught me about the engine; Dale Hancock, who taught me how to do the nitrous bottles and about how dangerous they can be; and Brandon Switzer, who taught me how to set up the four-link and suspension and so many other things. I also appreciate that my fiancée, Lakin Shelton, is by my side while I follow my dream.”

The ambitious Savedra, who aspires to reach even greater heights, will climb into the driver’ s seat of Haney’ s Camaro in 2026, as Haney is set to debut a new hot rod.

“ I will make test passes in the Camaro over winter, just to get the feel of it, and take it from there,” says Savedra, who will get his start in the MWDRS Pro 4.20 class.“ That opportunity just makes this whole experience even better.”

– MARY LENDZION DI

PHOTO: KYLE CHRIST

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