Ladwig guns for sixes, world championship in 2007

Former NHRA Sport Compact world champion Marty Ladwig will unleash a new race car for the 2007 NHRA season as the 13-time NHRA winner eyes a third championship and seeks to become the first driver of a front wheel drive racecar to clock a six-second elapsed time.

The 2007 Lucas Oil-sponsored Chevrolet Cobalt will feature a full tube-chassis from S&W and will be completed by Roush Industries. It will be powered by a 2.0-liter Ecotec engine with a Garrett GT 45 turbocharger. The motor will run on methanol and should produce nearly 1,500 horsepower.

“This is a purpose-built race car for the Pro FWD class,” said Ladwig, who will compete exclusively on the NHRA Xplōd Sport Compact Racing Series. “We basically ran a Hot Rod car all last season. The goal is to be the first FWD car in the sixes with this new Cobalt. With backing from Lucas Oil and the support of longtime sponsor GM Racing, we are shooting for the championship as well. I can’t wait for this car to hit the track. We hope to set a lot of records.”


Last season was Ladwig’s first as a team owner/driver. He drove his Lucas Oil-backed Cobalt to a second place finish in the Pro FWD category and carded one victory (Denver) in two final-round appearances. A two-time NHRA champion in the Hot Rod category (2003-04), Ladwig will serve as the owner, driver and crew chief. In May 2005, he became the first FWD racer to surpass the 200-mph barrier with his shattering 202.02-mph blast in New Jersey. He also has a career-best elapsed time of 7.12 seconds.

“We are anticipating a very exciting season with the NHRA Sport Compact series, and furthering our involvement in the series by once again signing on as the official oil,” Lucas Oil’s Tom Bogner said. “We’re extremely proud to have Marty Ladwig Racing on board with us this season. Marty’s (Ladwig) consistency, unwavering determination and focus is compelling and inspiring. We are very pleased with his performance on and off the track and truly appreciate having him as a member of our family. We can expect great things to come in 2007, especially with the new tube-chassis Chevrolet Cobalt.”

Ladwig’s Cobalt will debut at the 2007 NHRA Xplōd Series season-opener, the South Florida NHRA Sport Compact Nationals at Moroso Motorsports Park in West Palm Beach, Fla., March 31-April 1.