Woodville, Wash. Resident Terry Haddock is one of those teams so critical to drag racing. He’s the grinder, the slogger, the racer without the huge budget that keeps his nose to the grindstone as he pursues his dreams. For years Haddock has been one of those racers who, on the NHRA side, would fill out the 16-car Nitro Funny Car field. He was never considered an actual championship contender as his career advanced.

Sure, he would knock off one of the big hitters and win a round here or there, but like all the independent teams on the NHRA circuit at the end of the day where he might not get out-raced, Haddock would definitely get out-spent.

When IHRA instituted Nitro Funny Car for the 2006 season Haddock and teams like his were thrown a lifeline. They finally had a place where the odds were not so firmly stacked against them, where the championship would most likely come down to who could race better instead of who could spend more.

“You want something like this, work for it your whole life, and now that I’ve accomplished it I don’t know how to feel." -- Terry Haddock

In 2008 everything fell into place for Haddock and his Lend America team. He had a strong start to the season and hung around near the top of the standings all season. With three races left he got the phone call that would change everything for him and enable him to finish his dream season. He was locked in a furious points chase with Matt Hagan when Mike Ashley gave him a call prior to the Sooner Nationals in Tulsa. Ashley, always a fan of the underdogs, wanted to help Haddock. He worked out a sponsorship deal to put Lend America on Haddock’s car for the final three races of the IHRA season, a deal that would enable Haddock to forget about scrimping and saving every last dime in order to finish out the season.

With Ashley chipping in and the other sponsors on Haddock’s team continuing their support Haddock could concentrate on racing. And when he was able to defeat Hagan in the first round of the IHRA World Finals in Rockingham, the world championship he had waited for his entire career was his.

“I can’t thank my family, sponsors and crew enough for getting me here…we all have earned this together,” Haddock said. “The crew has been with me through thick and thin, rain and shine, and they are the ones who put me in a car that could win rounds and races. On top of that, Lend America and Mike Ashley have been an incredible support. Mike is such an amazing mentor and friend. We’ve had so many fine sponsors also help us along the way, DJ Safety, Aircat Pneumatic Tools, Red Line Oil, Race Girl and so many more. Without their support we never would have gotten here.”

Haddock was strong all season. Although he only captured one Ironman (The Mopar Canadian Nationals in Grand Bend) he was able to qualify strong all season and go rounds once race day came around.

“You want something like this, work for it your whole life, and now that I’ve accomplished it I don’t know how to feel,” Haddock said. “I spent 12 years learning how to qualify, this year I think I learned how to race. I am so happy right now.”

Haddock in one of the hardcore IHRA racers who is hoping for a Nitro Funny Car class next season. With no funding in place IHRA is mulling its options to see if the class will be contested next season. Haddock feels comfortable racing with and against his fellow Nitro Funny Car competitors on the IHRA scene.

“IHRA has a unique group of people we race against because it’s more like a family,’ Haddock said. “If any one of us is in trouble everyone else will offer help. That’s what this is all about and it’s no good to race if you don’t have anyone to race against. We have to look after each other. On the other side there’s so much pressure and you can’t find that kind of help. People over there are stuck with what they have to deal with to survive. IHRA is really a neat place to race and I hope the new owners continue to have Funny Car out here for us. It’s great for the fans and great for the sport.”