Drag Illustrated Issue 125, September 2017 | Page 36

Dirt
Scratching the Itch
Brad Personett returns to limelight
as Shane Molinari’s celebrated tuner
By Josh Hachat
world champion in NHRA’s Pro Import RWD
class before moving to Pro Mod in 2008, had
the impressive blend of tuning and driving that
Molinari had been searching for. Personett tested
the car in Bradenton at the beginning of the year,
and his knowledge of the turbo car quickly put
Molinari at ease. From there, Personett could see
Molinari’s confidence steadily grow.
“He had gone through a couple crashes, and
nobody can tell you anything about this unless
you’ve been in their shoes,” Personett believes.
“There’s a handful of tuners out there who have
never sat in and started it, let alone drive one of
these cars. These cars, things are happening so
fast. Everything about this stuff is an emotional
roller-coaster. It was about repetition, getting
laps in knowing it’s going A to B. That’s been a
huge confidence builder for Shane.”
After two final round appearances, including
qualifying No. 1 at Bristol, Molinari broke through
in Norwalk for his first NHRA Pro Mod victory,
capping off a remarkable ascent in a short period.
It’s been a thrill for Personett, and he’s gracious
for the thanks and appreciation, scratching the
racing itch just good enough to keep him happy.
“The win was huge,” Personett adds. “Everybody
goes from the lowest of lows to the highest of
highs in this sport. The sport can humble you in
a hurry, but I’m having fun.”
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36 | D r a g
I l l u s t r a t e d | DragIllustrated.com
Issue 125
T
here was a time when Brad Per-
sonett was on top of the NHRA Pro
Mod world. It was 2010 and the
Elkhart, Indiana, native had just won
the U.S. Nationals, becoming the first turbo car
to win in NHRA Pro Mod, going a then-record
255.39 mph, following it up with a season-ending
victory in Las Vegas.
Those days are no more and that spotlight is
long gone, and Personett is perfectly fine with
it. He now lives just west of Orlando with his
wife, very much content living out of the racing
limelight.
“I made it to the point where I wasn’t living and
breathing these cars 24/7,” remembers Personett,
who sold his turbocharged Camaro in 2012. He’s
remained in the sport on the fringes in recent
years, helping friends – including World Series
of Pro Mod winner Mike Bowman – but Person-
ett’s name has suddenly been spoken much more
frequently in 2017.
No, he’s not returning to race – “there’s just
no way” – but his expertise is still on display. He
took over as crew chief for Shane Molinari at the
final race of 2016, and Molinari’s transformation
in the NHRA Pro Mod ranks has been nothing
short of extraordinary. Molinari has three final
round appearances in 2017, winning his first ca-
reer race in Norwalk, and currently sits third in
points. For a guy who was teetering on whether
to continue racing in the NHRA Pro Mod ranks,
Personett’s involvement has made an incredible
impact, and Molinari isn’t afraid to say it.
“Obviously the tuner makes a big difference
and Brad’s got his stuff together,” Molinari as-
serts. “He’s an amazing guy. He’s owned his own
car, he’s tuned his own car. What else can you ask
for? The guy has been astronomical for us. He
knows what’s right and what needs fixed, and he
makes sure you’re comfortable in the car. It’s just
been a great thing.”
After a conversation with Pro Line Racing’s
Eric Dillard late last season, one where Personett
found out that Molinari was ready to pull the plug
and be done with NHRA Pro Mod racing, he was
brought in to solve the multitude of issues with
Molinari’s Firebird. Even after the first appear-
ance in Vegas, Personett believed Molinari was
capable of much more than a disappointing 2016
season that saw him qualify for only two events.
“I said it last year that he can have a top five car,”
Personett says. “We just needed to get our act to-
gether. It’s easy to put on paper, but you still have
to go out and do it. It just doesn’t happen over-
night and we’re still trying to make things better.”
For Molinari, the experience factor has paid
major dividends. Personett, who was a three-time