This season started out a wreck, quite literally, at the NHRA season opener in Moroso, FL, when the motor kicked a rod out and started a horrible fire. What started out looking like a great opportunity, being named the driver for a brand new Scion TC Hot Rod car with the T&T Motorsports Racing team, almost ended my career. I refused to give up and allow other people to ruin my name and future opportunities in the racing industry. With the perseverance, hard work and dedication of my father, Jim Eggum and crew chief Jeromie Hicks, the car was completely rebuilt and coincidentally made it’s return to the racetrack at Moroso in August, the very track it burned down. Very few people actually expected us to make it back to the track or even be competitive if we did, especially being limited to a non-existent budget and stock transmissions. Our first NHRA event at Moroso kicked off our new season with consistent times, going quicker every single pass and a best et of 9.04. Moving on to Las Vegas, the team continued on with consistent passes, a semi-finals finish, new best et of 8.74 @ 175 and also becoming the Quickest/Fastest female driver in Hot Rod class history! Back to the east coast at Englishtown Raceway, again the #’s fell every pass and finally, after seven consecutive weeks on the road, Eggum Racing made the first career NHRA finals at Pomona Raceway.

The week prior to Pomona, we raced at Norwalk where the track was incredible and the air was 50’. Running an 8.48 at that track, expectations for Pomona was to at least run another 8.4xx. The second qualifier on Saturday did just that, putting the Civic in the #2 qualifying position with a new career best of 8.46. Round three was cancelled due to an oil down and the track curfew. Winning round one eliminations with an 8.44, round two with an 8.41, we then had a bye run in the semi-finals. Considering the consistent fast passes with 1.33 60’s, we decided not to risk breaking the stock transmission and just drove down the track to make it into the finals. We didn’t expect to run down Ron Lummus’ seven second passes, but wanted to make another great pass, the clutch decided not to cooperate and let go right off the starting line. No matter what happened in the finals, we now had the title of quickest car on a stock transmission and a consistent 8.4xx Hot Rod car, unheard of, unless you’re Ron Lummus NHRA champ or Gary Gardella NDRA champ. So with only four races in the NHRA season, we came back to finish 5th in the points race.

So many people to thank, but first and foremost would have to be my crew, my dad Jim Eggum, who worked his butt off all week and then flew to the races to work just as hard on the race car. Jeromie Hicks, who built an amazing car, one that I was confident in driving and allowed me to excel behind the wheel.

Harry Hruska, it’s been truly a great experience being able to work with you. Giving us confidence right from the start, since you were eager to work with us, believed I had the ability to be a good driver and they could build a competitive car. We would not have gotten as far had it not been for your help, thank you.

Howard Anderson of AR Fabrication, thank you for giving Jeromie a shop to work on the car back in May/June. As well as your time and effort helping to complete the project.

Greek, Debbie, Paul and Kris Efantis, thank you for your hospitality, allowing us a place to stay and a shop to work on the car for three weeks, while we were trying to make it to all the events. We wouldn't have been able to do that without your help and we had a great time staying with you.

To all the racers at all the events, everyone was incredibly supportive in our efforts to succeed after the Norwood/T&T fiasco. We only hope to be able to race with you again next year. Good luck to everyone in their own endeavors for '06.

To all of our sponsors, who agreed to help out and put their name behind a project starting mid season and without an impressive track record. The parts helped to ease some of the expenses and gave us the opportunity to build the car right. The combination proved to be impressive and we were happy to represent your companies.

Howard Anderson of AR Fabrication Steve Zielinski of X-treme Graphics
Harry Hruska of Precision Turbo & Engine Zeke Urrutia of Ferrea
Scott & Tina Miller of BDL Industries Jon MacQuarrie of NGK
Deanna McArdle of Oakley Randell Mathis of Nitrous Express
Jason Schultz of M2 Race Heads J.D. Childers of B&M Racing
Darius Tarman of CP Pistons Bob Nichols of Omnipower USA
Vince Tiaga of Golden Eagle Turbo by Garrett


Plans for the 2006 season are still uncertain, we would love nothing more than to continue racing next year. We're heading off to Las Vegas for the SEMA show next Tuesday, to stay the week and work on putting together a race program for 2006. And as of yesterday, the car will now be on display in the main hall of the convention center as well!

Stephanie Eggum
Eggum Racing