DragBoss Garage: Frank Iaconio, Pro Stock Then And Now, Just a Warm Up Of What's To Come ...Soon

Thank You Frank (The Icon) Iaconio
This video is one I made, after Frank Invited me to the 2023 NHRA Summit Nationals. He took care of me like we were old friends. He and Fernando Cuadra, treated myself, and my family, like family. He and I had talked about doing a live chat, but the weekend we were going to do it, he said, Tim, come to the track, I will pick you up, and you can see today's pro stock up close. And man did he keep his promise. I made a few videos, which will follow. We started to chat about his early days of racing, how grumpy Jenkins helped him, and even about his Ford Thunderbird he raced, with Boss 429/AR hemi power. We will get into the details in more detail on our live chat. Keep you posted.
Fernando Cuadra, owner of Corral Boots, and Cuadra Boots, took more time with me than I ever expected. Initially it was just me, but he said, bring your family tomorrow, and took care of everything. He is the Patriarch of the Cuadra Boys racing, they all race Ford Mustangs. I made a whole another video on Fernando's racing program, so stay tuned.

[@gearbanger57]

Quite an honor to have the Cuadra family and Frank to welcome your family into their pits. I haven't followed any pro stock racing in years, obviously NHRA changed the engine rules to allow the "generic" engine into any body style. Funny to me to see the Ford logo on the valve covers, I guess it's no different than John Force having Chevrolet on his hemi valve covers. How things have changed.

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

It sure was Banger, it’s been awhile for me too. But when both Frank and then Fernando offered. Could not turn that down. A chance to learn and give back and give us old guys a glimpse. I don’t agree with the rules, but who am I. Just DragBoss

[@danielstuck7532]

I have one of the first SRD Vegas built

[@brucepelish9651]

i cant get into pro-stock anymore since there are no ford powerplants out there. Sorry but a generic motor-GM-in a Mustang does not cut the mustard for me. I bleed blue

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

I enjoyed it, have not been to a race since 2012 with Troy Coghlin from JEGS. Don’t have to get into just watch and see the dynamics.

[@arkhsm]

Bruce, you and me both. The Ford sticker on the valve cover was worth a half a tenth though !!

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Take the flag and move on with out stopping

[@Mike583]

I can remember when Frank switched to the Ford in P/S. I don't know how old he is now,but many of the guys he raced back then,are no longer with us. I hope he has these Fords very competitive, I'm looking forward to the day a Ford wins P/S again! Glad to see he's still going strong!❤

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Mike he is 76 and doing well. Works like he was 20. Yes he will share his times racing Chevy and Ford’s. Such and honor to hang with him

[@richb4099]

You won't get much humor from Frank.....He's all business all the time and a lot like WJ in that sense. I doubt you'd find anyone who works as hard as he does and always has. Bob Glidden was in the same category with his work ethic......

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Yes very straight shooter. I don’t remember either of us laughing. Yes at 76, he keeps going on and on.

[@brentonmarusic9424]

A good friend of mine has a FIRE engine in his car! It's a powerhouse!

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Great to hear, Frank was telling me about his fleet of engines he keeps fresh.

[@patrickkennedy2533]

In Pro stock , is the engine block stock or is it named for the body style

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

I think more of the original class, more stock bodies, back in the day.

[@rotorr22]

Always a fan of Frank. Good guy! The tragic loss of his son, Frank Jr., to an auto accident a while back was a gut punch to the racing community, as I'm sure it was to the entire Iaconio family.

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Yes It was. I did not mention one word about it. Not sure how Frank would take it, so did it need to go there. He is a great guy for sure

[@davidbaylor8777]

So so sad

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Very

[@svenomick5857]

Flash 😮Machines there Tim DragBoss

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Right on mate, hot flash

[@RinkyDinky-dj1co]

Dragboss getting some great time with a living legend well done

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Thank you. Sharing his story with you and way more to come.

[@UnityMotorSportsGarage]

Im so happy for you brother! Getting to hangout with the Icon.. Love it great Job

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Thanks Andy. Great time for sure. And Fernando Cuadra invited my family too. Learning experience

[@BrettPreston-c9t]

Great info Tim, The racers still want carbs !

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

They do for sure.

[@edsmachine93]

Awesome interview Tim. Great to have this time with Frank. He is definitely still in the game wrenching and building on ProStock Engines. My favorite class of all time is ProStock. Thanks for sharing. Take care, Ed.

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Thanks Ed’s Machine, keep up the work. I had a great time and learned more than just racing but about life and success. Something everyone can use i their life. Yes pro stock has always been my favorite class too

[@arkhsm]

Great stuff Tim ! Puting a FORD sticker on the valve cover gave him the win on the run you showed !!

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Ford forever mate, keep on keeping on

[@marcbelson7918]

Another awesome video Tim! I watched Mr. Iaconio and Mr. Glidden face off in the PS final in Seattle from the finish line. Glidden won 8.49 to 8.50 to set the record, the closest race I ever saw live. Both class acts.

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Wow what a race for sure. Lucky to be there

[@mann5353]

It was cool to see Frank Iaconio...

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

It sure was. He is the man

[@misigis]

I always liked the way Frank staged in the days prior to Auto Start, he would just pull in and light both bulbs. Sometimes the car in the other lane was still doing a burnout or backing up from the burnout.

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

I have to go back and watch some of his vids. He is so cool and humble

[@mohanperformance.enginerd.1308]

Tim you have some seriously cool friends. You also make great videos. Thank you as always. 👍💪

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Mohan, I sure do, your one of them. It’s about knowledge is power and not always hp. Power is not about control but about providing. Thanks much

[@georgedreisch2662]

So Tim, you gonna quit the day job soon?😂 Great stuff, thanks for sharing.

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

That would be a dream, like Fernando Cuadra says, you can do it, takes 24/7, but your dreams will come true

[@kennyrmurray]

Very cool. I like your shirt Tim. I’d love to get my hands on a set of their heads for my SBC

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Thanks Kenny. Hoped you listen to Matt on my live chat. Quite enjoyable to hear and learn. The heads are only a phone call away

[@kennyrmurray]

@@DragBoss351Cleveland I did and I enjoyed it. I always watch his short video clips and then to see him on your live chat was pretty cool. You should try to get somebody from Brodix or AFR or even somebody from a cam company on one of your live chats. I watch them all Tim, keep up the good work!

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Thanks so much. I will as it is my goal. But so much to do, hard to keep up and family is first. Stay tuned. You never what you will see.

[@mikeg4163]

5 runs on a set of spring…??? Dang….!! Let’s get the spring guys interview next..:)

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

That is a possibility, I would like that too

[@theshed8802]

Great stuff Tim, as usual. Looking forward watching what comes next. Regards Greg

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

What’s coming next will blow you away. A look inside the Cuadra family. His secret to success. Cheers

[@craigtuck1741]

great video there Tim, interesting on what Frank said about the fuel injection on the pro stock motors. cant wait to hear more from Frank, cheers mate

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Cheers right back at you. I can’t wait either. But yes not what the guys want to run.

[@TallapoosaHellraiser.]

Frank has to be kin to Jimmy Prock.

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Not sure on that one

[@strokermaverick]

You, did it again, Tim! I mean, Mr. DRAGBOSS! Let's, just call you, Mr. exclusive. I, loved watching the 70's and 80's era drag racing, as a boy. I, know now, what I was experiencing was endorphins and adrenaline!😄 I, was so hooked, at 7 years old! Special thanks, to the ICON.

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Thank you my friend. Mr. Exclusive. I like that. lol. I keep trying to talk with guys in racing and get the inside scoop what it was like and the hard work and innovation. I was 10 in 75 so just getting my feet wet. Yes sir, special thanks to him. Humble as the day is long.

[@studio95951]

I will be waiting for the upcoming vids. Really excited to see the Cuadra Racing team because they run the Mustangs. Do any of their cars run Ford power or just Elite power? Thanks for this vids. Frank Iaconio is one of the best out there. 👍👍💯💯

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

No they are run a derivation of the BBC, Christian Cuadra's car runs engines Frank builds

[@studio95951]

@@DragBoss351Cleveland Thanks

[@biscuitboy3617]

Currently, the NHRA will not allow Ford engines to compete in Pro Stock. Several attempt's by a few Ford racers have been rejected by the NHRA. They'll allow the older stuff that's at least 20 years old to compete, but nothing that's modern. And how can 20 year old technology possibly run with the current stuff? It can't.

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Stay tuned

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Well Ford does not really have any modern stuff, that I know of. But the JC-51, could ruffles some feathers if it were more plentiful and allowed see how it goes

[@ricknorrington2211]

Man what an awesome experience you had!! I appreciate you sharing it!! Love the drag racing history

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Thanks Rick, and I am just getting going, lol. Stay tuned for more vids. Great time and history

[@mikecurtis2585]

I bet that was a great time! Have a wonderful weekend

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Thanks Mike more on the way

[@vegachronicles2540]

Just found out about your Channel. This show is amazing, I am hooked!!!

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Thanks so much. Lots going on here. I know you will learn something

[@murrayjimm]

I try to follow him more than anybody out there in the pits. In addition to the Cuadra's, is he not doing a motor for another driver on occasion?

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Yes, Kenny Delco, and Mike Edwards. Frank said he has 12 engines to keep going.

[@murrayjimm]

The Cuadras are my favorite pro stock team and Iaconio is my favorite engine builder. I keep trying to get Joe of NHRA announcing to talk to iaconio on the starting line sometime on their TV program.

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

@@murrayjimm joe Costello? I talked to Greg Anderson, he will be on too

[@garyrodrigues3496]

I just want to say I've been a pro stock fan since I was about 10 yrs old, now I'm 56 yrs young. I love the old pro stock stuff, please keep doing what you're doing I love your channel and guests you have. Pro stock forever!!!!

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

That’s what I’m talking about Gary. I sure will. Been down for a bit, with some computer issues, but back in the game. Stay tuned for more and more

[@jimkillen1065]

Years ago when i was a kid there was a guy who in my home town that i believe he had a vaga , then a Monza . I think he ran G Gas ..it was a cool car . His cylinder heads off the engine he ran had the ports cut out and used i think devcon ....later on i bought the heads and built a engine for my 68 Camaro . That experience taught me the value of a decent set of cylinder heads.. thanks for the videos

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

You’re most welcome. It’s all in the heads. That was a cool deal, had to be mid 70s?

[@clarkmcmahan1595]

That's a real treat getting to interview the icon himself ..great vid Mr Tim ..

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Thanks Clark. Wait until the live chat be even better. Hear all the old stories.

[@timrayburn2461]

Great vid

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Thanks Tim. Appreciate it. Great name by the way 😉

[@mavman351]

Freaking awesome! Love it!!

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Thanks Mav, way more on the way.

[@perryford1014]

Love the interview with Frank Iaconio such a humble man and liked him back in the day too…got his autograph in 1992 at ford nationals in Chandler Arz . Keep it up with all these amazing interviews Tim !!

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Thanks so much. I will do my best to keep it going on, stay tuned my friend.

[@charlesbuffolano3403]

Nice job Tim!

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Thanks Chuck. I wanted to interview Alan too but he was gone today. Hook me up with him. Think he would be interested? Make me some vids of your car and I will make a vid

[@billfioretti3013]

Great get, Tim! Frank and the Cuadra's. Thank you for sharing with us. And more insight and lessons yet to come! How sweet it will be!

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Yes sir you got it. Keepin it rolling and Keeping the faith. Your heard his answer on the heads he used on the Thunderbird Bill, AR

[@billfioretti3013]

@@DragBoss351Cleveland Thank you for asking him, My Brother. He told me something different at Maple Grove. Probably used A/R out of the box and not heavily modified like B.G. Things can get a little hazy after forty years. Yearning for more!

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Me too Bill. He said jees that was a long time ago lol. We will see if we can jog his memory more.

[@geoff6825]

I was at Island Dragway in 73, when he frashed the Vega

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

So was that his crash, when he quit racing. Thought that 74?

[@geoff6825]

@@DragBoss351Cleveland Could have been 74. Bad crash

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

@@geoff6825 yes 74, he quit racing, but then got the srd monza on 75

[@geoff6825]

@@DragBoss351Cleveland I remember seeing it on the back of a tow truck, not much left. Scary

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Wow I will ask him about it on our chat.