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That goes both for his work as a machinist and racing, said Pecaut, who listed just a few more of Westhoff's wins - the 2008 World Street Challenge 1 at Gateway International Raceway, fourth overall 2008 Gateway Pro Class points winner, 2006 winner of the World Ford Challenge at Gateway International Raceway, Top 12 (of more than 250) at the 2008 NHRA Division Three finals, the Mobile 1 World Challenge in 2006 and six-time points champion at Wentzville race track . . .
"He used to write programs - lines of code for machines - things that we now use software to do," Pecaut remarked.
Westhoff's work at DACA and his sport of racing go hand in hand. His talent as a machinist is a big part of what makes him such an expert drag racer. His knowledge of machines enables him to keep his car - a 1960 Ford Falcon - in top condition.
From Watching To Winning
Westhoff was hired by DACA in 1977, fresh out of high school, as part of a four-man crew. Around that same time, he and some buddies started hanging out at the Wentzville race track for fun.
It wasn't long after that, said Westhoff, when he started tinkering on cars. Then it was just a matter of time before Westhoff decided to jump into the driver's seat.
Around 1979 he started racing his 1966 Ford Mustang. A few years later he bought a 1960 Ford Falcon from a fellow dragster and rebuilt it to his own specifications.
"It had been used as a race car before I bought it, but I changed it a lot," said Westhoff. "I put in a different cage and suspension."
That same car, in several configurations, has been piloted by Westhoff and sponsored by DACA ever since.
Westhoff displayed just a handful of his awards last week. The trophies, he said, are awarded for bigger events. Smaller events present plaques.
The '60 Falcon
Over the years, the exterior look of the car has changed a bit, but the DACA logo on the door has been a constant. So has the cobra on wheels, a Ford emblem from the '60s and '70s.
The images are the work of Ziglin Graphics in Washington.
Westhoff has taken off the "Ford Rules" sign once emblazoned on the grill. On the side and rear windows are various stickers Westhoff has earned in races. On the back window, the bachelor shows his humor with the sticker that reads, "Wanted: Good Woman to Push Race Car."
A peek inside the car reveals a stark setup. Everything that isn't necessary has been removed to make the car as light as possible, Westhoff explained.
Under the hood is a 474 cubic-inch motor.
Drag racing is an expensive sport, said Westhoff, noting all of his cash winnings are poured into maintenance or improvements for the car. For example, he has to get a new set of back tires every year.
And even though the race is only a quarter-mile long, Westhoff said the car burns at least a gallon of gas in that short distance.
"I basically get one mile to the gallon," he said with a laugh.
Drag racers use a special type of fuel that is about 20 percent E85 gasoline and 80 percent racing fuel.
"It gives us more power, higher octane," said Westhoff.
'Comes Down to Driver Ability'
Westhoff stores his Falcon at DACA and transports it to each race by trailer. When the race track in Wentzville was open, Westhoff used to compete in 30 to 40 races each season (mid-March to late October). This year he expects to race in about 10 or 11. His next race will be in mid-August.
The races are an all-day event, said Westhoff, noting at his most recent race, the competition started at 2 p.m. and wasn't over until 11:30 that night.
Only two cars run at a time in any drag race, said Westhoff. The winners of each two-man race advance to the next round until there is only one winner left.
The races are designed to try to even the playing field among drivers by taking into account the speed of their cars, said Westhoff. In other words, the starting line isn't the same for all cars - faster cars are set back a certain distance from slower cars.
"Otherwise, the driver with the most money would always win because his car would be the fastest," Westhoff explained.
"This way, it comes down to driver ability and reaction time," he remarked. At Westhoff's latest win at Gateway, there were 44 cars in his class. Westhoff won by just 0.010 of a second.
After 30 years in racing, Westhoff said he loves the sport now more than ever. Even at age 51, he's looking forward to many more years of racing ahead. There are drivers who keep racing into their 70s, Westhoff noted.
"I plan to keep going as long as possible," he said, smiling.
