IHRA: All in the family for Elrod clan

IHRA Super Rod world champion Jacob Elrod has a secret weapon at the track: the Elrod clan.

That family includes father Dave, brothers Tony and Jacob, along with driver Pat Forster, and sister Jamie, who serves as co-crew chief. Team Elrod has been winning for more than 30 years, including seven IHRA world championships.

Dave, who was a standout racer in his time, now serves as crew chief and Jamie, who he says "breathes race fuel," is one of the hardest working individuals at the racetrack.

Elrod had plenty of sponsors to include in the Lima News article. "We have been pretty blessed for a few decades to win consistently," he said. "The products and companies that sponsor us, give us tremendous support of our race team. Our sponsors Sunoco and Bazell Race Fuels from Logan, Abruzzi Transmissions from Warren, Ohio, American Race Cars in Toledo, Hoosier Racing Tire, K&N Filters, Moser Engineering of Portland, Indiana, Fuel Carburetors of Bowling Green KY, DJSafety.com, Milodon Oil Pans and Pumps, PAR Race Engines in Spartanburg SC, Penn Grade 1 Racing Oil & DA Lube of Lebanon Indiana, Allstar Performance, Brodix Heads and Brodix Blocks and Carr's Finishing Touch of Howell, Michigan.

"Our sponsors are important members of our team that give us winning products with proven consistency. We are blessed to have them as members of our team."

Competing at the Sportsman level can be every bit as challenging as the Pro level. "There are way more sportsmen level racers than pro racers and there is a thousand drag strips in the U.S.," Elrod told the News. "On any given weekend you'll have hundreds or more sportsmen competing but there is typically only going to be one national event per weekend for the pros."