Orlando's Ozzy Moya on World Doorslammer Nationals: “My Phone is Blowing Up!"|
Just less than two months away, Ozzy Moya already knows the inaugural Drag Illustrated Globe Doorslammer Nationals, which takes place March 6-8 at his Orlando Speed Earth Dragway, will be massive.
How? Well, his phone hasn't stopped ringing since the race was announced earlier this week.
"I've gotten calls from people all over the earth. My telephone is blowing up. Information technology's going to exist wild," Moya said.
Boasting a rich heritage of doorslammer racing dating back about three decades, Moya believes the World Doorslammer Nationals has the hazard to raise the bar to an incredible level.
Pro Mod and Pro Stock will be the characteristic attractions and the winners in each class will earn $l,000, a spectacular way to get the 2022 race season started – a number that may well increase before the event actually happens.
Less than an hr away from Orlando Speed World Dragway is Daytona International Speedway, where NASCAR starts its season with the biggest race of the year. Moya and Drag Illustrated have their sights attack a like impact in Pro Mod, which starts its NHRA season the post-obit week, and Pro Stock, which will make it in Orlando just two races into its NHRA yr.
Ozzy Moya and wife Maria
"I merely recollect these guys are going to just allow it all hang out," Moya said. "In NASCAR, the Daytona 500 is the biggest race of the twelvemonth. People say, 'How can you have your Super Bowl the outset of the year,' just information technology works for NASCAR and hopefully this becomes something that works for us where it's their Super Basin for Pro Stock and Pro Mod, and they can open their yr in a large way. It'south merely skillful for everybody involved and information technology's going to be game on for everyone."
Game on – and a $50,000 payday on an exquisite track surface prepped by Wade Rich – means nothing will be held back in Orlando.
That's the manner Buck wants information technology, and it's what he remembers existence a trademark of the track, which outset played host to the Orlando World Street Nationals starting in 1993. It's an outcome that created a stir in the sport, and Buck believes this race volition extend that tradition – and and so some.
"I went to the Orlando World Street Nationals in 2005 and in many ways, information technology was the consequence that started at all for me. Virtually 15 years after, I'm going down at that place to institute my flag, and to be a role of that tradition of these spectacle blazon events that people travel from far and abroad to go to," Cadet said. "It's about every bit surreal of an experience as can be imagined. To think about going down there and putting on a race at that rail – a venue that has seen and so much history and had so much bear upon – it'southward absolutely crazy. I'm and then excited it hurts."
The buzz is already pregnant, and the excitement from fans and drivers is palpable. Moya would know, as he annually puts on a number of large shows at his assortment of tracks. This i is shaping to exist something special, specially equally the stars of Pro Stock descend upon the rails for the outset fourth dimension in a race format.
"It's going to be something celebrated hither for Orlando Speed World Dragway. Being able to bring these Pro Stockers here for the first fourth dimension always for a $50,000 shootout, it'southward amazing for that class and for the Pro Mods," Moya said. "I'yard excited to bring that to Orlando. I recall it's going to get a yearly thing and I call up the heaven's the limit."
Pro Mod and Pro Stock volition share the spotlight equally the A-listing headliners, and all the top names in the course will exist on mitt, including reigning world champs Stevie "Fast" Jackson in Pro Mod and Erica Enders in Pro Stock, besides as a host of other massive names. It's the perfect fit for Orlando, which is known for showcasing door cars and doing so on a big stage.
"It's what nosotros consider our Summit Fuel or Funny Auto. That's Pro Mods and Pro Stocks for us. They're the superstars of the show."
That'southward music to Buck's ears, and he's ready to sentinel the loftier-stakes action unfold in record-breaking fashion. He fully expects records to fall in both classes every bit anybody swings for the fences through qualifying, which will include two sessions on Friday and three on Sabbatum before Lord's day'southward eliminations, putting on a show even Orlando Speed World Dragway hasn't seen in its illustrious history.
"Ozzy Moya, Wade Rich, and the whole team at Orlando, they are all-in on this event. They share the desire to plough this event into a marquee, can't-miss, must-attend event for fans and racers alike. All the ingredients are in that location. Everything that nosotros need to exist in that location is there," Buck said.
"Ozzy puts on a lot of big races, a lot of big events. But information technology is my conventionalities and my true intent to brand this the biggest happening for drag racing Orlando has ever seen. I don't know whatever other style. It'due south all or nothing with us. I want to add to the Orlando retentiveness bank, make it one of those, 'I was there in 2020' moments and I'm forever grateful to take the opportunity to exercise so."
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Source: https://dragillustrated.com/orlandos-ozzy-moya-on-world-doorslammer-nationals-my-phone-is-blowing-up/