are 1999 models , and according to the build tags , were constructed just a month apart . Each truck is motivated by 632 c . i . power plants built by Mike Thompson Racing Engines .
Taylor routinely competes both vehicles at the same event , and has nearly put them both in the winner ’ s circle on the same day ! “ I ’ ve won the most races in the Super Gas truck , but haven ’ t done too awfully bad in the other one ,” he smiles . Taylor has won four NHRA national event – twice at Bristol – and was also victorious at the nationals in Atlanta and Gainesville .
Additionally , he ’ s collected five Lucas Oil divisional wins in Super Gas , finishing second in the world in 2016 and ninth in the world for 2017 . In 2012 , he picked up the NHRA Division 2 championship in Top Sportsman , and has been to the Jegs All-Star race twice , collecting a runner-up as his best finish . On the IHRA side , he ’ s likewise won four national events , and earned divisional championships twice , with a whopping nine victories in Division 2 . He ’ s finished second in the world , and placed third nationally on two occasions .
While winning races is the steadfast goal , Taylor will say with certainty it ’ s the life-long friendships in racing that he treasures most . “ We ’ re all
buddies until we get to the starting line , and then we ’ re back to being buddies again at the finish line !” he jokes .
As in many segments of racing , Taylor travels with a group of close friends , and in this group they ’ re also motorcycle fanatics , so they routinely take their bikes with them and ride in the mountains , on the parkways or whereever life and racing take them . “ Two years ago we went to the IHRA race in Memphis , and then took an additional two weeks to travel to Las Vegas .” John ’ s wife , Julie , and the other racers ’ wives in the group insist on getting to the track a day early so they can play golf together .
The fun times and great memories are vast , but for Taylor , none compare to the Gatornationals in
2014 . “ I ended up winning Super Gas on my 60th birthday , and both my daughters were there with their families , including our five grand kids . It was an awesome time ... my number-one memory !”
The support from family and friends have been vast over the years , and Taylor appreciates each of them . “ My wife and family have been real understanding , and I must also thank Jim and Debbie Perry , as Jim is essential in helping me race Top Sportsman .” Taylor is also quick to credit his longtime friends at Mike Thompson Racing Engines , Hoosier and FTI .
The team got off to a rousing start in 2018 at the Gatornationals , when Taylor dipped into the 6-second zone for the first time with the Top Sportsman truck . “ I got some nitrous help from Jeffrey Barker and also Greg Samuel from FTI , who assisted with a new converter . We clocked a 6.975 at 196.22 mph at 2,520 pounds . And my buddy Jim Perry also won Super Gas at the Gators in his S-10 truck for the third time !” Taylor grins .
“ We all have a blast whenever we go racing together and I plan to keep doing this as long as I can remain competitive . When I stop being competitive , that ’ s when I ’ ll take up fishing again !” he laughs . Either way , it sounds like a pretty good gig . DI
scheduled date in late March saw much better weather , although many teams had commitments elsewhere .
Pollage says he doesn ’ t plan on being away from the track on too many occasions this season , but when he does venture out it will be for the reason of promoting races , such as the Oklahoma Summer Nationals at Ardmore Dragway , a big-money bracket event that Pollage owns and co-promotes with Johnny Ezell .
Pollage ’ s deep roots within the bracket racing community played an important role in his broad education that eventually prepared him for the track manager position . Along with being a racer / promoter , Pollage is skilled in timing system operations , announcing , photography and even racing journalism . “ I grew up around bracket racing and I basically just came to the track , paid attention and tried to learn something new every weekend ,” he says .
When Pollage took over managing No Problem Raceway , he admits that the track didn ’ t necessarily need a complete overhaul , just some TLC in certain places . “ Other than fixing a few eyesores on the property I really didn ’ t need to do a whole lot , although I certainly believe our track prep has improved in the last six months .”
Pollage has 3 key elements in his managing arsenal and strives to excel in each of them . “ I believe that attitude , appearance and appreciation are vitally important when managing
a track ,” he surmises . One thing he does steadfastly insist upon is insuring his racers that No Problem Raceway will guarantee the advertised purse . “ I ’ ve been on both sides of this issue and I understand the variances involved with how a racer wants to be treated versus what must be done for business , but guaranteeing the purse is something I feel very strongly about ,” insists Pollage .
In addition to a virtual year-round opportunity for racing , No Problem Raceway is also home to the Red Line Sports Bar . Located just behind the starting line , it features a fully functional sports bar with pool tables and televisions . “ Lots of our racers stay overnight at the track and the sports bar keeps people entertained and provides them a place to go and hang out after the final round of competition has ended .”
The 2018 season marks the 18th year of this facility , and Pollage and his entire staff are excited to provide the best facility they can for their racers . DI
May 2018 DragIllustrated . com | Drag Illustrated | 61