Life is a drag -- and that's a good thing

Jeff Dona and his high school buddies knew they could get in big trouble for drag-racing their cars. They did it anyway.

And, believe it or not, it turned out to be a good move. What started as Friday night fun has landed the drag-racing Dona in 18th place in the country among 600 people in the National Hot Rod Association.

"If it wasn't for a couple of races, we'd probably be in the top 10 right now," said Dona, a 34-year-old Gordonville resident. "We still have a shot at the top 10, but we're going to have to have some good races."

Dona has competed in the National Hot Rod Association since 1995 and currently holds the second place spot in Division 3, which includes six states in the Midwest. Only six races remain, but he's hopeful he'll be on top before the end of the season.

"We've got a pretty good shot," Dona said, "because we're eight points behind him, and every round that you win is 10 points, so the next race I go to I have a good chance to pass him in points."

"A lot of people say that Division 3 is the toughest division," he added, "because there are more cars and the drivers are a lot stronger. I feel like Division 3 has more of the better drivers in it."

Earlier this year, he won back-to-back races in St. Louis and Indianapolis before dropping into a slump. He bounced back with a semifinal appearance a couple weeks ago in a 107-car event in Cincinnati.

The drag-racing season lasts from March to October with about three races per month. In the offseason Dona works on his car and his physical condition.

"When I started racing I wasn't in real good condition," Dona said. "The more I've gotten in better shape, the more focus I have and the better I race. It's hot in the car, and you have to mentally be strong; your whole body has to be in pretty good condition."

Jeff extends plenty of credit to his wife, Charlotte, for his success. While he does all the driving, she keeps an eye on the weather, temperature on the track, wind conditions and the status of other drivers among other duties.

"I couldn't do it without her," Jeff said. "She does a lot of work for me."

Drag racing is a costly sport for the two; races can cost as much as $240. But if Jeff can pull off winning the Division 3 title, he would race in all of next year's NHRA events free of charge.

That would certainly help Dona, who hopes someday to race as a professional -- a task significantly more expensive than the type of racing in which he is currently involved.

Dona said becoming a professional basically requires two things: money and experience.

"If I wanted to do this on a pro basis, we would have to get some kind of sponsorship," he said. "But you have the money, and if you don't know what you're doing and have a lack of dedication, you're in trouble. I've always wanted to, in the back of my mind, but basically it takes a wealthy individual."

Professional or amateur, Dona will continue to race simply because of the competitive aspect.

"I like to compete," he said, "and as you get older, you compete with what you can compete with, and this is my competition now."