Gary Densham Named Seventh Nitro Funny Car Driver Coming to Night Under Fire

Norwalk Raceway Park is pleased to announce Gary Densham has signed on as the seventh Nitro Funny Car Driver that will compete at Night Under Fire.  Densham's infectious smile and engaging personality certainly fits well in the lineup of stars coming to Night Under Fire in 2006.  Densham spent thirty years as a  Shop Teacher at Gahr High School in Cerritos California.  Make plans today to spend July 1 at Norwalk Raceway Park in the most thrilling spectacle known to man, Night Under Fire!  Read More for information from NHRA on Gary Densham:

    * 2005: Advanced to semifinals at St. Louis; Advanced to quarterfinals at Phoenix; Qualified for 18 of 23 events
    * 2004: Won the prestigious 50th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals and the $100,000 Skoal Showdown, earning a $50,000 ‘double-up’ bonus from the NHRA for winning both events over the same weekend; Victory at Indianapolis made him the most senior Funny Car event winner in NHRA history; Won two events for the fourth consecutive season, giving him eight victories in 12 finals since September 2001; Finished in the top five in the final point standings for the third consecutive season; Made the fourth quickest Funny Car pass in NHRA history (4.706 seconds) at Pomona 2; With a 30-21 win-loss record in elimination rounds, was one of seven full-time Funny Car drivers to have a winning percentage over .500; Qualified for all 23 events, upping his streak to 31 consecutive events without a DNQ dating back to Sonoma 2003, tying him for 13th longest streak among all active pro drivers prior to the start of the 2005 season.
    * 2003: Finished in the top five of the Funny Car standings for the third straight season; made the fourth quickest pass in Funny Car history (4.723 seconds); won two events for the third consecutive season after going winless for the first 243 events of his career; earned a career-best three No. 1 qualifying positions (Houston, St. Louis, Reading)
    * 2002: Finished a career-high fourth in the Funny Car standings; Set the national record for speed; Earned two victories for the second consecutive season; Was the No. 1 qualifier twice; Won a career-high 31 elimination rounds; Qualified for all 23 events and led the Funny Car standings for four events beginning with win at Englishtown
    * 2001: Claimed his first career national event victory, winning at Memphis in his 244th NHRA national event start; Earned his first No. 1 qualifying position (Bristol); Posted a winning record in head-to-head competition for the first time in 20 years
    * 1999: Runner-up at Pomona 1
    * 1996: Lost to John Force at Englishtown in only final-round appearance of the season
    * 1995: Raced in three final rounds; Earned first career top 10 finish in NHRA driver standings
    * 1994: Reached final round for the first time before losing to John Force in the Funny Car finals at Brainerd
    * 1989: Won first round of racing by beating Mike Dunn in first round at Seattle
    * 1982: At season's final event in Irvine, made first career NHRA start, qualifying No. 16 before losing to Kenny Bernstein in the first round

Personal

    * Wife: Joanne; Son: Steven (5/7/82)
    * Height/weight: 5’10”, 200 lbs.
    * Notable: For 30 years was an auto shop teacher at Gahr High School, Cerritos, Calif.
    * Enjoys water and snow skiing and working on his street rod