This is how Todd Berry’s Mustang looked late in 2005 when Eric Dillard first piloted it with a nitrous-fed small block under the hood. |
Though restricted to true 10.5-inch slicks in Limited Street trim, Berry’s black ‘Stang will be able to have wheelie bars mounted and have sufficient clearance to accept the wider 10.5Ws allowed in Outlaw 10.5 racing. |
Dillard says the same 598 c.i., aluminum, big-block Ford motor that saw duty last year will be going back in the car after being freshened up at Pro Line. It currently sports C-460 heads finished by Chris Howe and two 88-millimeter Precision Turbo turbochargers, though a step up to a pair of 91s is planned. “We might even put more stroke in it halfway through the year,” he says. “I’ve got a crank at the shop right now that would work, if nobody buys it in a motor.”
A switch to burning alcohol is coming for the start of this year, too.
“Steve (Petty) and I talked about going with alcohol this season, because Alan Dudley is selling a lot of systems right now and we’d like to be among the first to really make it work and get some customers, too,” Dillard explains. “We're not worried about making the switch. Steve will figure it out. Just give him a month, he’s that good.”
In addition to his chassis work, Bell says he’s looking forward to accompanying Berry and Dillard at the track this year. After campaigning in Super Street for several years in the 1990s, Bell says he sold his car to concentrate on his business, but he never lost the desire to race. “I love it, but it just got too expensive. This is a great opportunity for me to get back into it with a good team that goes to all the races. I’m really looking forward to it.”
 Chassis builder Joey Bell (left), team owner Todd Berry and driver Eric Dillard check out the progress on Berry’s 1990 Mustang that’s destined for more than just Limited Street action later this year. |
Dillard also can’t wait to make that first pass in his new ride.
“This is really like a dream for me,” the 23-year-old says. “All my life I’ve loved cars, loved racing, and wanted to drive a racecar. I feel so lucky to have a team owner like Todd willing to spend his money and build a car that I get to drive. We give him some sponsorship with free parts and labor on the motors, but this is something we could never do on our own at the shop. I know I’m very fortunate to have guys like Todd, my business partner Doug Patton, Steve Petty, and Tim Lynch around to help with my racing. I couldn’t do it without them.”