Bartlett, IL - WOW! What a year this was for me and my team. We faced many uphill battles and by seasons end, I was ready to call it quits in Memphis, when the rain kept coming and coming, I thought, “I should already be in the Florida Keys doing some fishing and having some R&R with my crew.” So many things needed to happen in order for me to win the championship. I could feel it slowly slipping away. I decided to stick it out and NOT pack up and head south. Boy, am I glad I did! For those of you who have not heard the story, I will give you the very short recap. I needed to qualify in the top 3, and Tony Orts needed to not make it to the 2nd round.

When I qualified 14th, and Tony didn’t make first round, things still looked bleak. We figured out I needed to break the record, and we needed to win against Cameron Coble. First round I ended up with a bye round which I needed, during qualifying the wide open throttle switch did not come on, I got back to the pits and messed with the throttle cable, things were happening quickly to get this race in, "I said don't worry if the carb doesn't open all the way just make sure the nitrous switch activates". Well it all came together for us. Eric yelled into the radio that my time was a 8.28, yep a new record if I could back it up, I screamed so loud over the radio, We still have a $#&@*% chance in this!

I went back to the trailer and figured out the points just to make sure, second round would be the most exciting of them all as I was against Cameron Coble, the winner of this had a shot at #1 the loser would be 3rd, the fastest side by side X/S drag race just happened with myself setting the record with a 8.27. I was shaking and couldn’t believe it, still three rounds to go, with passes of 8.22 - 8.24 - 8.22 we took the World Finals Title and 2004 X/S Championship. After it was all over I made the call to Sue and the kids who patiently were waiting by the phone. We Did it Honey! World Championship #2 for the Bob Curran Racing Team!

I could not have done this without so many people. Most of them are sponsors and friends;

Bill Trovato at BTR Performance
Jon Phillips at Nitrous Express
Don Stanley at TSI
Patrick James at Pro Systems
Todd Ryden at MSD Ignition
Joe and Mike at Alston Race Cars
Jeff at Fast Times Motorworks
Carl Robinson at Weld Wheels
Mike Chlopek at Motive Motion (Custom Headers and Exhaust)
Paul Schiavon at PAS Enterprises 1-847-542-1966 (Electrical & Wiring)
Joe Lanute at American CNC Addison, IL 630-628-6490 (Custom Machining Work)
Donny Sperling at Collision Technique Ctr Inc Wauconda, IL 847-487-9055 for the body and paint work

I would also like to thank all of the class and contingency sponsors from PRO Vortech X/S Class:

Autometer
Barry Grant Fuel Systems
Comp Cams
Dart Little M Engine Block
Earls Plumbing
Edelbrock Intake Manifolds
Hamburger Oil Pans
Holley HP Carbs
Hooker Headers
JE Pistons
J&W Ultra Bell and Case
MSD Wires
NX Nitrous Systems
Summit Log Book
TSI
Torco Race Fuels
VFN
Weld Wheels

I want to thank again my crew chief Eric for always taking time out to help me and save me food. Joey Kosiba, Jason A., Brandon Ryan, Mike Chlopek, Paul Schiavon, for all the help on the car in the garage and the track. Nick Scavo for always being a phone call away for his expert advice.

My parents for all their support. And of course the people who understand the commitment needed in this now family hobby; Sue, Jeremy and Taylor.