Top Fuel Motorcycle 40-plus year veteran and world record holder Larry “Spiderman” McBride could not have asked for a much worse start to his potential 20th championship season. At the Man Cup season opener in April, McBride suffered his first opening round loss in more than 15 years, setting the veteran in a huge hole in the points series behind eventual event winner Dave Vantine.
Over the next three races the Trim-Tex / Pingel-backed team performed magnificently, going undefeated and jumping out to a 23 point lead after a world record winning performance of 5.60 at 263 mph at Rockingham Dragway in October.
The “Spiderman” knows anything can happen with a full field expected at this weekend’s season finale, The Man Cup Finals from South Georgia Motorsports Park, Nov. 21-24.
“You try to stay clam but your heart starts to race a little faster as the season comes to a close,” McBride said. “My team has done a great job getting us back in contention but we have not won a thing yet. This race will be our toughest test of the year. This is where we have to count on all of our preparation back at the shop to shine through.”
In addition to his friendly rival Vantine, Mitch Brown, Sam Wills, Chris Hand, European champ Ian King, supercharged v-twin racer Jason Pridemore and others are expected to contend for the illustrious Man Cup Finals title.
It’s a cliché heard over again, but McBride stands firm that, “one round at a time” is a phrase to live by in such a high profile race.
“We know 20 championships is a milestone but we are trying hard not to think about it,” McBride said. “Winning a 20th would be really special just because it represents how long we have been doing this and the sacrifices we have made to stay in the sport. My brother and I don’t do much else outside of this. It’s been our passion and our lives for as long as I can remember.”
Qualifying gets underway Friday evening from South Georgia Motorsports Park.
The race will be taped for later airings on MAVTV. A limited number of affordable, in-show advertising opportunities are available for anyone interested.
For all the continued support McBride thanked his primary sponsors; Trim-Tex Drywall Products, Pingel Enterprise, Drag Specialties-Parts Unlimited, Final Swipe Merchant Services, Web-Cam, APE, Donnie and Julie Wilson and Kibblewhite Precision Machining.
Vance & Hines Motorsports, Red Line Synthetic Oil Corporation, Federal Mogul, PR Factory Store, Ferrea Valves, World Wide Bearings, Vanson Leathers, Belt Drives Ltd, Simpson Race Products, Nitrous Express, EK Chain, Arias Pistons, Cometic Gaskets, B&J Transmission, Carolina Cycle, L.A. Sleeve, PJ1, Mickey Thompson Tires, Valco, Goodridge, Carlisle Belts, ProJack, Bullseye Visual, Gates Belts and Cycledrag.com
Larry “Spiderman” McBride DRIVE FOR 20th championship in 2019 Schedule
April 5-7 / South Georgia Motor Sports Park
July 12-14 / Dragway 42
September 27-29 / Darlington Dragway
October 26-27 / Rockingham Dragway
November 21-24 / South Georgia Motor Sports Park
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