The roots of Skuza Motorsports date back to the mean streets of Cleveland in the late 1950's. Like many teenagers, Don Skuza had a love of the automobile. Without today's sanctioned NHRA dragstrips across the land, the enthusiasts flocked to the streets to 'drag' their hot rods, laying the groundwork which is today's NHRA Powerade Championship Drag Racing. Don was part of this youth brigade and helped pioneer drag racing as we know it today.

Don campaigned a series of F/X cars in the early sixties, gaining most of his success with a 62 Pontiac. Not having the budget for a national campaign, Don's racing was limited to the Great Lakes area and the local circuit. Starting his business Quality Synthetic Rubber in the spring of 63, Don was forced to make a choice between his two passions and eventually traded the driving suit for a three piece. Dean was born in 66, so the barnstorming lifestyle of a professional drag racer that Don had dreamed about became just that.

Building QSR into a world-class OEM manufacturer consumed Don's life, and before he looked up from the grindstone, 20 years had passed since he last set foot on a dragstrip.

In 1983, Dean was sixteen and dabbling in street machines when Don heard the familiar "Sunday, Sunday, Sunday" radio voice blaring from the garage radio. The two headed to Norwalk Raceway Park for the World Nationals. The sport had changed a great deal since Don's absence, but a host of familiar faces greeted him, the blood still boiled, and Skuza Motorsports was verbally formed on the ride home. The two would build a car over the winter and bring it out for the 84 season.

They purchased a 1948 Fiat Topolino with a normally aspirated small block Chevy and ran the local brackets for a year. The car took many forms over the next few years, introducing a big block, and then eventually a blown big block on alcohol which carried Dean to the 1989 Superchaged Outlaw Championship.

From the start, the Skuzas were always moving forward, making big steps in class. They took the ultimate step in 1990 when they decided to campaign a Nitro Funnycar. Two years of building and accumulation took place before Dean earned his license in 1992. The team ran a limited schedule in 1993, and then embarked on their first full tour in 1994 and continued through 2003 until business issues mandated a temporary parking of the team.

Now ready and chomping at the bit, the Skuzas prepare the team for their NHRA comeback. Be There.