DragBoss Garage: NHRA Pro Stock And Cuadra Boys Racing, 4 Men, 4 Cars, 4 Family. Behind The Scenes

I made this video at the 2023 Summit Racing Equipment Nationals, at Summit Motorsports Park. I was invited by Frank Iaconio, to meet him, and chat about our up coming Live chat On DragBoss Garage. He builds, and maintains the engine for Christian Cuadra, and his Pro Stock Mustang. Frank owns FIRE, Frank Iaconio Racing engines. While there I met Fernando Cuadra, the Patriarch of the Cuadra family. All race NHRA in the Pro Stock Class, and David also races Top Sportsman, and won his first race, with a brand new car. They all race Ford Mustangs. I knew they were family, but never knew the whole relationship. Fernando, welcomed me like I was family. ( He also extended the invitation to my family on the following Race day, thank you so much for your generosity) I was in awe of Fernando, his Powerful Presence , and humbleness at the same time.
He told me the inner story of his 3 sons, Fernando jr., Christian, and David. The two later sons are twins. Each of the three sons Multiple Degrees, and are licensed pilots. Many do not know these facts. We discussed his history, as the owner of Cuadra Boots, and Corral Boots Major sponsors, along with Circle G. Have to check out his website guys, Cuadra Boots.com, or Corral boots.com. Fernando mentions his son's dedication and work ethic. They take after their father, who worked 24/7, to get to where he is. No free rides. He expects the same from his sons. He told me the secret to his success, which can be yours, so make sure you watch it all.
I met a few of the crew, including Tinzy Smith, who does the clutch service work, thanks for the recommendations for Mrs. DragBoss' Clutch for the 69 Mustang , and Matt, who does the air fuel management. so many others, I did not get a chance to talk too, and hope to meet them next time. I was in amazement of how all of the family works together to help with taking care of any, and all track maintenance. This included, changing tires, rear ends, transmissions, transmission gears, and even engines. I thank the Cuadra family for providing me a chance of a life time, and Keeping The faith
Fernando agreed to a live chat, so we are going to plan this, and get the inside story, of how it all began. So stay tuned...
DragBoss Garage Where your always seeing, and learning something new

[@strokermaverick]

The Cuadra family, is super laid back. My kind of people. Thank you, Mr. Exclusive!

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Your. It’s welcome. Stay tuned for more surprises and knowledge

[@markseaman4750]

Boots have been very good to the Cuadra family.. They are an example of what the American dream can come true with hard work and perseverance. Enjoy the fruits of your labors gentlemen!👏

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

I believe that, and be faithful too. It works out the way it is supposed too 🙏

[@dwlaboy]

The cuadra is all about family 👍👍👍

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Amen brother, that is a fact. And keeping the faith. Thanks for watching

[@bubbastanks5528]

Saw this team at bristol, i was blown away by how personable this team was. He is just a genuine good guy. He was talking like this to normal fans. Very inspiring!!! Keep up the good work dbg!!! Praise God

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Amen. God guides me every day. He is a man that speaks truth and cares for his fans from the heart. I will keep working, more to come

[@RustyWells2]

Well I now have my new favorite drivers in pro stock and top sportsman those guys are the best!

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

They sure are down to earth and men of faith. Thanks Rusty

[@tonto2009]

I remember seeing and talking to Fernando when I was at the Seattle race. This was back when he was starting out. He was just starting to run the car and was getting advice. Who ever it was looked at a plug and advised him to richen that corner up 2 jets and add 1/2 degree of timing. I'm like " Holy crap that's being exact." After hearing he lost just about everything in the Tsunami and had to stop racing I really felt for him. When he showed up again with his boys racing knowing the hard work he and his family went through it was hard to not be impressed. Go Cuadras go !!

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

I had read that about loosing everything. And want to ask him about on a live chat and how he got into racing. Seems very debonair and not like a typical racer. Very motivating persons to say the least

[@knelson885]

👍inspiring video Drag Boss!

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

That is a great way to put it. I thought the me. Very much so. Thank you 🏁💯

[@charlesbuffolano3403]

Another great interview Tim. Glad you got to talk to Tinzy also. Very smart and hard working.

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Thanks Chuck it was great to meet you, and a Mopar guy too 👢 no pun intended. Thanks for the invitation to your mopar races. See if I can make an appearance and learn something

[@bobbyyenke1598]

Great videos from Norwalk Ohio

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Right on Bobby, appreciate it

[@jameseskelin5727]

Fantastic segment. Fernando Sr. gave the best advice and wisdom on the merits of hard work and goals. I will see them (minus 1) at Topeka in August.

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Tell them I said high. Hopefully we can do a live chat before this. His wisdom is profound

[@itseithergonnaworkoritaint7852]

Very cool boots, interesting family.👍

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

They sure are. Just a behind the scenes racing vids to follow

[@arkhsm]

The FORDest family in Prostock racing nowadays, great stuff Tim; bet the fam. had a blast getting up close like that !!

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Yes a magnificent time Adrian. Kids learned a lot too

[@mavrick351]

In the pits interview... good stuff Tim !!

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Yes just a meet and greet. Never planned any interview, had no idea how it was going to work

[@perryford1014]

What a Great Video 👍… Cuadra Family are amazing starting with the Dad 😊and teaching his boys Work Ethics Wow so glad you interviewed them and also Tingey Smith great interview too she’s hard core also and her brothers backhalf guys Wow ! Keep up the great interviews Tim 🙏

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Right on Perry. They all work hard and give 110 percent. This interview had a message, glad you got it. Stay tuned my friend

[@stevewelborn8744]

You are really putting out great content. Just keeps getting better and better.

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Just trying to show you things you never saw before and teach something. This video had a message Steve, did you hear it?

[@stevewelborn8744]

@@DragBoss351Cleveland sure did

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

There it is

[@johnsalvaterra3116]

Hi Tim! A good time, with great people. Nice interview!

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Thanks John, I appreciate it. Was a very great experience. Was blown away by the hospitality.

[@johnsalvaterra3116]

@@DragBoss351ClevelandDBG is famous now! Big time !

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Hey John. Famous, lol. Don’t think I will ever be famous, but hey you never know🙏☺️

[@mikecurtis2585]

Wow great video! Very nice family! Hope they can start running Fords again!

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

I sure wish Ford was back in the race engine department.

[@johnsalvaterra3116]

The current manager of racing at Ford, is not a drag racer. Not that he is against it, he feels money is better spent on F1, or NASCAR. Both of these are very money intensive. Maybe the faithful, can bring about a change of heart. The other problem is the NHRA rules, which basically favor one engine for each class, to try and keep, the engines for all competitors ",equal"!

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Yes, be nice to get him on a live chat and get his thoughts about everything. And I did not know they all raced the same basic combination. I need to find out who the guy at does is. My buddy works for ford racing. Let me dig around

[@RustyWells2]

Next time you do a on site interview try to write some good questions down and you want be put on the spot to have to come up with them off the top of your head.

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Yes with a live chat I try and do that. This was more just meet and greet. Hope it all works out.

[@davegt27]

more cars is good thanks, I am not very familiar with pro stock. my local track they had TC (top comp), I ran NE (non-electronic) and Austin Highway, maybe you can do a 50 cent tour of a pro stock car (along with there tools) --thanks

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Yes this was all unexpected. Next time I will plan it out much better. They everything perfectly set up for every job. Where is your local track?

[@davegt27]

@@DragBoss351Cleveland back when I drag raced it was Alamo Drag way but it has been closed for years, in fact I here the the drag strips in Houston and San Antonio both closed.

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Yes have heard of it. Sad that many are closing. They are trying to rid anything associated with fossil fuels

[@gearbanger57]

Great family and crew all with one goal in mind. In a sea of Camaros and one engine to run competitively, why the Mustang body?

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

I never asked. Yes not happy about engine, but I was looking at more than that. Hopefully Ford will re-emerge front the depths

[@arkhsm]

Because the Muzzy is way cooler looking !!

[@billfioretti3013]

Yep. The sweet hits they just keep on comin', Tim! Fernando, His Family and all their successes in business and life in general just goes to prove that the harder and smarter you work the luckier you get. They're one lucky Family. And don't appear to be jaded in the least. At any level we can all learn something here. Insofar as the Cuadra's MINO (Mustang in name only) Pro-Stock cars, unfortunately it will be quite some time, if ever, when we get to experience competitive Ford Power beneath those Ford Logo rocker cover stickers. Not their doing though. Just what the rules dictate. Tinzy and through extension Erica Enders may somehow be able to inspire and influence the Bossettes towards a career in the Automotive field. I know for sure Mr. Dragboss wouldn't mind that. But the girls with guidance from Mrs. Dragboss and Her onboard Husband will be the ultimate deciders. Great interviews, Tim. Give yourself credit as your personality and easy-going style allows people to open up and lighten up as you interview them. Comes across as Family and Friend discussions. Speaking of lightening up, you did get a few smiles from Frank Iaconio in your previous interview with him. Quite an accomplishment. In this video Frank proved that age is not necessarily a limiting factor when it comes to ability and the work ethic. I got a chuckle how Frank just never stopped carrying on his appointed duties while you conducted your interview with Tinzy. Great get all around. Look forward to more.

[@robertbruneau112]

definitely a great team, however its NHRA that has clobbered the Ford into oblivion. the JC50 and JC51 are both capable platforms, like factory stock NHRA clobbers the Ford to appease the whining bed buddie, GM teams. its a one way street. NHRA has sought to it that a Bob Glidden repeat will never ever ever take place. THEY FACTOR THEM OUT

[@arkhsm]

@@robertbruneau112 Exactly what they did to the F/S class Cobra Jet cars !!

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Thanks my brother. It just amazes me that they all took time for me. Like I was one of the family. Not just smiles for the camera but in depth discussions that I did not record. Fernando treated me like a son, giving me advice. Said I could make this big, he would help me, with what he can. I told him I’m just a guy in my little garage, he said it’s getting bigger but you don’t see it. Yes very few women in that field, the Bossettes noticed them though. Frank, enjoyed me being there I think, he had to be at airport overnight from delays. I called him and he was happy sounding, next time I talk to him I will ask him. I don’t want to bug him, so only call for business so to speak. 😉More to come and keeping the faith🙏

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

I know that JC 51 would be kicking some serious booty. Since it is making almost 1500 hp with cast manifold and sing carb.

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Maybe ford will see this and get moving to the front. 🙏

[@shoominati23]

Hey DB, why can't we do a live teardown of a modern 500 inch Pro Stock mill here on the channel? It's pretty much the only discipline I haven't seen apart before, I'd be astonished to see what theyre doing with crankshafts and things like lifter bushes and even oiling system. If they let you, heck just blur out the porting 🤑or whatever they don't want you to see, but you gotta hook this one up for the team here buddy! I'm counting on YOU 😋

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Not sure on that one. Teams very tight lipped on everything. Don’t think blur is the issues. When I talk to Greg Anderson maybe he can shed some light on it. Stay tuned

[@shoominati23]

@@DragBoss351Cleveland Maybe look at older engine or previous generation?

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Possible I will talk to Greg Anderson see what he says, maybe Frank too

[@Chris-bn1bn]

Another flaw with the Cleveland is that the oil returns in the heads, holds 1.5 quarts in each valvecover, combined with an inapproprate oil level dipstick, starving the mains of oil. Great head design but in an attemp to keep the springs from overheating in racing applications. I run oil returns from the valve covers, back into the pan where it belongs.

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

Have been racing Cleveland’s for 40 years. Dynoed last engine 24 runs to 8k, oil analysis is perfect. I can shift 7800 and go through traps at 8+ grand? When I pull my valve covers after a run or whenever I don’t have 1.5 qts in each valve cover? I think you mean top of the head. Why don’t my springs over heat? I think you have a flaw with your builds or assembly.

[@billfioretti3013]

@@DragBoss351Cleveland The overheated valve spring thing is more a NASCAR and Road Racing thing. Limited issue with drag racers.

[@billfioretti3013]

What type of racing are you involved in? The overheated springs are normally not an issue for drag racers. Losing spring height and spring breakage are the issues there.

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

This guy needs to rethink his builds. Make sure drain backs are lined up and opened up. Between block and heads they are always mismatched. All engines in circle track have valve spring oilers.

[@arm_luvr1002]

Crocodile also tastes like chicken

[@DragBoss351Cleveland]

These it is a voice of experience 🐊