DC: It is a little different atmosphere. I grew up on the NHRA side so it is like a family to me over there also. A lot of people over there come and go, or try to run a couple of races over there. With the IHRA it seems to me like the officials are more accessible, if you are walking around the pits they come and talk to you. They don't just come if there's a problem, they just stop by to see what's going on. I kind of like that about the IHRA.

DRM: What about the fans on the IHRA side, are there any differences?

DC: I don't really have a lot of experience other than a couple of races last year, but from what I've seen it's a great crowd and everyone really gets into the racing. I think the IHRA's schedule is full of established venues that people have been going to for years, and when they see something they like they let you know about it.

DRM: Looking forward to the 2006 season, do you have any expectations?

DC: I don't do that. I know we're going to go out there and run as hard as we can and we're going to try to run for the championship. I just want to go out there and make it successful for the circuit and for Evan so it can continue. It is a great opportunity for a lot of people who don't have the finances to run the 23-race circuit on the NHRA side, it gives them a place to go and there are good race tracks. I really don't put expectations on myself or my guys because that can put undue pressure on you. But we're going to go out there and try to win. That is our goal.

DRM: Who is going to be your Crew Chief?

DC: My brother Steve and Alan Meyer.

DRM: Have you done any testing in the Nitro Funny Car yet for this season?

DC: We're going to test in Valdosta two weeks before San Antonio.

DRM: You mentioned Evan, what can you say about the contributions he has made to the sport of drag racing?

DC: There are a lot of us out there who wouldn't have the opportunities we have if it wasn't for him. And I'm not trying to blow smoke, the guy really loves drag racing and he's put his money where his mouth is. He has done exactly what he said he wanted to do. For me, I can't even begin to tell you how much he's helped us out. You look at guys like Doug Foley, Bruce Litton, Melanie Troxel and Dave Connelly, all those people wouldn't be racing if it wasn't for Evan.

DRM: You said you don't like to put expectations on yourself or your guys, but coming from your family race team that has been successful for so long do you feel a little pressure to go out and run well?

DC: I always put a lot of pressure on myself because that's what drives me. But once the first race is over I think all of that will be gone. But when you go out there, what people expect from you you try to do. You have that in your mind but you don't talk about it. A lot of people have expectations and think we will be one of the best cars out there. Well, that has yet to be proven. We hope we are, but I have to go out there and prove it.

DRM: When you are looking at the Nitro Funny Car class on this side, do you expect there to maybe be more crossover from NHRA drivers than people are expecting?

DC: I'll guarantee it. I don't know if it will be the entire season, but the San Antonio and Rockingham races…anything that is geographically possible, I would be willing to bet there will be a bunch of cars.

DRM: In 2006 what are you most looking forward to?

DC: Just getting back in the driver's seat. I just want to get back in there and drive my car again. We've been on a part-time schedule for a couple of years. I'm looking forward to being able to get back out there and compete for something like the IHRA championship.

DRM: You made the move into a Top Fuel car last year for a couple of races, but is Nitro Funny Car where you are most comfortable and want to be?

DC: I'm more comfortable in the Funny Car because I have more runs in it. But driving the Top Fuel car taught me a lot of things about how to finesse a car down the track. I didn't have to try to drive the wheels off it like you have to in a Funny Car. I never even knew I was going to drive the Top Fuel car until Evan looked at me and said, "Get in, you're driving." At first it was hard trying to learn a whole different car, but if I had the opportunity I would do either one. My preference is Funny Car, though.

DRM: What are the differences in driving a Top Fueler and a Nitro Funny Car?

DC: The biggest thing for me was the view. In my Funny Car I was so used to having things to guide me, like the injectors in front of me or other things I was used to using as guides to know where I was on the race track. With the Top Fuel car it took awhile to figure it out. Plus, in the Top Fuel car you can't hear it because you're driving away from the noise. I drive my car by sound and I know what I should be hearing at certain areas on the race track. In the dragster I couldn't hear it. Dragsters are definitely a handful. A lot of people say they are easier to drive than a Funny Car, but I think it's just different. I don't know if it is any easier. Once you hit the gas on the starting line it is the exact same routine, backing up and the whole thing. But with the Funny Car you really have to use the steering wheel a lot while in a dragster you don't have to. I know, I tried.

DRM: When you are standing behind a Top Fuel car, or in the stands, the noise is deafening. Are you saying you can't hear it when you're driving it?

DC: Not when you're going down the race track because you're driving away from the sound. You can hear it, but it's just not the same noise I'm used to in the Funny Car because in the Funny Car it is all right in front of me. But it is nowhere near as loud in the dragster as it is in the Funny Car.

DRM: Did that surprise you the first time you drove the Top Fuel car.

DC: Kind of. I was looking around because I felt like something was missing. In the program in my head I knew how I did things on the race track. I had to reprogram because I couldn't hear it. If something is going wrong you can feel it, but you can catch it faster hearing it than you can feeling it because you know what's coming.

DRM: You mentioned you did not have a lot of experience with IHRA fans without there being Nitro Funny Car in quite awhile. Now IHRA fans are really starved for it and there is a lot of buzz and anticipation. Do you look forward to putting on a show for these people?

DC: Absolutely. We want to show them what they have been missing for the last 10-15 years. We ran in the Top Fuel Funny Car class on the IHRA circuit before in the late 80's and the fan response was tremendous. I think they are going to be in for a good show. The Pro Mods are fun to watch, they are unpredictable, and the Pro Stocks are faster in IHRA. Now by putting Fuel Funny Car in there it should be even better. We hope we can put on the show that they're expecting.