Special Section race . When he fired up the Musi 632 for the DragWars final round at GALOT in early October , he was bracing for the sight of another win light in the other lane .
“ We were really fortunate , but by the time we were going into our fifth final there at GALOT , it was eating at me pretty badly ,” Distefano says . “ I didn ’ t know how I was going to take another runner-up . We were really fortunate to be in the finals at every race , but to not seal the deal , it was eating at me .”
Distefano ’ s luck finally turned around , as he defeated two-time world champion Dillon Voss on a holeshot . He added another two round wins at the Proline Racing Brian Olson Memorial World Finals , giving him enough points to claim the 2020 PDRA Pro Outlaw 632 world championship .
“ I ’ m so proud of what my team and I did ,” Distefano says . “ First and foremost , I have to thank my parents , David and Brenda Swallow . Without their support , I couldn ’ t do any of this . Troy and Shawne Russell – Troy is my crew chief and Shawne ’ s right there on the line , right there beside Troy in the pits . Their commitment to the car is second to none . Their passion and their drive for it is never wavering . That ’ s something that you can ’ t buy and you can ’ t teach .”
Distefano and his usual crew were assisted by fellow Michigan-based Pro Outlaw 632 competitor Vinny LaRosa and his crew members , Aaron Cashwell and Clyde Lovett . They decided to help Distefano while
LaRosa ’ s Duster is undergoing an overhaul by Russell .
“ Especially towards the last few races , we had a really good chemistry going ,” Distefano says . “ When we had to change engines or transmissions , there were a lot of hands busy and it really made it go a lot faster .”
Distefano also professed his appreciation for the sponsors and manufacturers that not only provided quality products and service , but also provided financial rewards through the PDRA ’ s contingency sponsor program . Those companies include Pat Musi Racing Engines , Jerry Bickel Race Cars , Hoosier Racing Tires , Brisk Spark Plugs , Jesel Valvetrain , Lucas Oil , MagnaFuel , Meziere Enterprises , ProFab Headers , Race Star Wheels and S & W Race Cars .
Next season , Distefano plans to defend his championship . Beyond 2021 , it ’ s hard to say where Distefano will end up . His drive for continuous improvement suggests he could move up to another class like Pluchino , who moved up to Liberty ’ s Gears Extreme Pro Stock after winning two Pro Outlaw 632 world championships .
“ Different people use the class for different things ,” Distefano says . “ For me , I feel like it ’ s a stepping stone . For other people , maybe it ’ s a good budget class . Kids coming out of the Jr . Dragsters might be coming into the 632 class . It is kind of that entry level to the pros , but at the same time the competition is so fierce . You ’ re not going to find 632 racing that ’ s any more competitive anywhere else but the PDRA .”
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