Racecars usually aren’t “set it and forget it” type things, but Gary “Hollywood” Parker has been running the same set of Strange Engineering axles in his 2002 Ford Mustang for more than two decades without any issues.
Parker, a mainstay in NMRA Exedy Racing Clutch Modular Muscle, purchased his SN95 from a friend in late 2003. Built before he bought it, Parker has been racing the Cobra ever since he got his hands on it and has updated a lot over the years… except his axles.
While racing at the 2023 NMRA/NMCA Super Bowl of Muscle Car Drag Racing at World Wide Technology Raceway near St. Louis, Missouri, in early May, Parker saw Strange’s Director of Business Development, J.C. Cascio, and a few other folks from Strange staring at his rear left tire. Parker walked over to say hello, and Cascio commented on the age of the old Strange logo printed on the axles.
“They [the axles] were put in the car when it was built in 2002. I’ve never had any issues with them and no concerns about them breaking,” laughed Parker, who was shocked when he realized how much time had gone by and happily surprised by the parts’ impressive longevity. “I trust Strange to keep me safe.”
Later, Parker pondered the accident he had in April of 2021 when his Mustang went into the wall at the top end of the track during the NMRA/NMCA All-Star Nationals at the now-defunct Atlanta Dragway. “I definitely look at the car differently after that as far as safety goes, but when I put it back together, I never even thought about needing to replace the axles because they were so durable,” he shared.
After 21 years and more than 1,000 hard launches at 6,000 rpm, Parker’s Strange axles are holding strong. Although he hasn’t had any problems with them, the Georgia-based racer will replace his axles over the winter off-season with a new set from Strange simply as a “just in case” preventative precaution against the unknown.
For 2024, Parker will be moving up to the new NMRA Street Bandit 10.10 Presented by Whatever It Takes Transmission Parts category. In addition to his reliable Strange axles, Parker will retain both his Lawrence Engine and Machine-built Coyote engine and Neal Racing-built Powerglide transmission. After years of Open Comp-format competition, Parker is pumped to take the tree at the same time as his opponent in a heads up-style battle.
“I’m looking forward to challenging myself on a .400 tree, and that NMRA now has a set index class with a pro tree and allows a transbrake unlike Super Stang and Ford Muscle,” added the seasoned driver. “Even though I will have to slow my car down four-tenths for Street Bandit 10.10, I haven’t been this excited to go racing in a long time!”
Once the calendar has rolled over to the new year, Parker will go testing to ensure he’s made the right calls in adjusting his setup prior to starting the season at Florida’s Gainesville Raceway in February for the 30th Annual NMRA Spring Break Shootout.
“Thank you to J.C. and everyone at Strange Engineering for building great quality products that racers can depend on,” added Parker.
Parker, a mainstay in NMRA Exedy Racing Clutch Modular Muscle, purchased his SN95 from a friend in late 2003. Built before he bought it, Parker has been racing the Cobra ever since he got his hands on it and has updated a lot over the years… except his axles.
While racing at the 2023 NMRA/NMCA Super Bowl of Muscle Car Drag Racing at World Wide Technology Raceway near St. Louis, Missouri, in early May, Parker saw Strange’s Director of Business Development, J.C. Cascio, and a few other folks from Strange staring at his rear left tire. Parker walked over to say hello, and Cascio commented on the age of the old Strange logo printed on the axles.
“They [the axles] were put in the car when it was built in 2002. I’ve never had any issues with them and no concerns about them breaking,” laughed Parker, who was shocked when he realized how much time had gone by and happily surprised by the parts’ impressive longevity. “I trust Strange to keep me safe.”
Later, Parker pondered the accident he had in April of 2021 when his Mustang went into the wall at the top end of the track during the NMRA/NMCA All-Star Nationals at the now-defunct Atlanta Dragway. “I definitely look at the car differently after that as far as safety goes, but when I put it back together, I never even thought about needing to replace the axles because they were so durable,” he shared.
After 21 years and more than 1,000 hard launches at 6,000 rpm, Parker’s Strange axles are holding strong. Although he hasn’t had any problems with them, the Georgia-based racer will replace his axles over the winter off-season with a new set from Strange simply as a “just in case” preventative precaution against the unknown.
For 2024, Parker will be moving up to the new NMRA Street Bandit 10.10 Presented by Whatever It Takes Transmission Parts category. In addition to his reliable Strange axles, Parker will retain both his Lawrence Engine and Machine-built Coyote engine and Neal Racing-built Powerglide transmission. After years of Open Comp-format competition, Parker is pumped to take the tree at the same time as his opponent in a heads up-style battle.
“I’m looking forward to challenging myself on a .400 tree, and that NMRA now has a set index class with a pro tree and allows a transbrake unlike Super Stang and Ford Muscle,” added the seasoned driver. “Even though I will have to slow my car down four-tenths for Street Bandit 10.10, I haven’t been this excited to go racing in a long time!”
Once the calendar has rolled over to the new year, Parker will go testing to ensure he’s made the right calls in adjusting his setup prior to starting the season at Florida’s Gainesville Raceway in February for the 30th Annual NMRA Spring Break Shootout.
“Thank you to J.C. and everyone at Strange Engineering for building great quality products that racers can depend on,” added Parker.