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Biggest influence: "Dick LaHaie. He taught me so much about running a car, being consistent, how to race the racetrack, and knowing your opponent. If it wasn't for LaHaie, I'd probably be selling hot dogs or something."

Greatest challenge: "Tommy [DeLago] handles the day-to-day operations, and I don't have to deal with the guys on a regular basis, so the hardest thing for me is dealing with the changing track conditions from race to race."

Career highlight: "Winning that first championship with Scott Kalitta. We were a big underdog and kind of came [from] out of nowhere."

Goals: "Our goals are to build this into a solid one-car team and eventually add another car."

Personal: Boninfante enjoys playing computer games in his spare time. He lives in Chadds Ford, Pa., with his wife Sara and sons Tyler and Blake.

TOM DELAGO

Co-crew chief, Autolile XP/Bob Gilbertson Racing

Age: 35 * Years in drag racing: 11

Racing background: DeLago, who shares tuning duties with Nick Boninfante Jr. on Bob Gilbertson's Autolite XP/Prestone Funny Car, has worked for some of the biggest names in drag racing. A former Division 7 Super-class racer, DeLago helped crew chief Mike Kloeber on Tommy Johnson Jr.'s Top Fuel dragster in 1994 and 1995, then joined Kalitta Motorsports in 1996 and spent five seasons working with crew chief Ed McCulloch on Connie Kalitta's Top Fueler. Following Kalitta's retirement from driving, DeLago joined Don Prudhomme's team, where he worked with McCulloch on Ron Capps' Funny Car in 2000 and 2001, finishing second in 2000. In 2003, DeLago helped John Lawson's Funny Car efforts for several races before joining Darrell Gwynn's Top Fuel team, where he worked with crew chief Mike Green. In 2004, DeLago returned to Prudhomme's team, where he served as assistant crew chief to Green on former driver Johnson's Funny Car.

Biggest influence: "I'd have to say 'Ace' [Ed McCulloch]. When I went to work at Kalitta's, I still had a dream that I'd get to drive someday. He sat me down and said, 'You don't want to be a driver. You're a diamond in the rough, and if you keep doing what you're doing, you'll be a crew chief someday." So that's what I decided to do, and I'm glad I did."

Greatest challenges: "Managing people is a major part of it. Trying to get a good blend of personalities and keeping your guys as happy as possible is tough. Tuning the car is the fun part. The hard part is keeping everything organized, making sure we have all of the parts we need, and making sure everybody is on the same page."

Career highlight: "The first race I ever won. It was in Topeka when I was at Kalitta's [in 1997], and it was [McCulloch's] first win as a crew chief."

Goals: "I've reached my goal of becoming a crew chief; now I want to win a championship as a crew chief. And I wouldn't mind having my own team someday."

Personal: DeLago's hobbies include radio-controlled boats and motocross riding. He has two dogs, Chuck, a 4-year-old chow/Lab mix, and Otis, an 18-month-old black Lab.

DICKIE VENABLES

Crew chief, Q Power/Pedregon Racing

Age: 41 * Years in drag racing: 23

Racing background: Venables' drag racing education began at an early age, working on his father's fuel cars in the 1970s. In 1982, he joined Shirley Muldowney and crew chief Rahn Tobler, who had worked with Venables' father. Venables served on Muldowney's Top Fuel dragster until her accident in 1984, then joined Gary Ormsby's Top Fuel team, where he worked with crew chief Lee Beard for the next four years. Venables returned with Muldowney in 1989 and spent another season with Ormsby in 1990 before Ormsby was stricken with colon cancer. Venables worked briefly with Pat Austin, whose family purchased Ormsby's operation following his death in 1991, then enjoyed stints with Don Prudhomnie and Connie Kalitta, assisting crew chiefs John Medlen and Tim Richards, respectively. Venables joined Joe Gibbs' team in 1996 and worked with crew chief Mike Green on Gibbs' Cory McClenathan-driven dragster until that program ended in 1997, then spent the next six seasons with John Force Racing. In 2002, when Medleri was sidelined for one race, Venables distinguished himself by directing driver Tony Pedregon to victory in Seattle. The following year, he helped Medlen guide Pedregon to the NHRA POWERade Funny Car world championship and last year assisted Pedregon in starting his own team.

Biggest influence: "I've picked up a lot of things from a lot of people, but I probably picked up the most when I worked for John Force. I worked for Lee Beard for several years, and I learned a lot from him arid from Tim Richards, but. at Force's I had the opportunity to work with four top-notch crew chiefs [Austin Coil, Bernie Fedderly, John Medlen, and Jimmy Prock]."

Greatest challenge: "The burden of having every decision come down on my shoulders."

Career highlights: "I have worked for a lot of people who have won championships, but I was never there when they won except in 2003 with Tony [Pedregon], so I'd have to say it's between that and winning the Seattle race in 2002, when Medlen was out and I called the shots. That race certainly stands out."

Goals: "The goal for any crew chief is to win races and championships, but my main goals right now are to establish myself as a crew chief and solidify my future."

Personal: Venables' hobbies include remote-controlled model airplanes arid fishing.

CHRIS CUNNIHGHAM

Co-crew chief, Checker Schuck's Kragen/Worsnam & Fink Racing

Age: 39 * Years in drag racing: 23

Racing background: Cunningham, who shares tuning duties with Marc Denner on Chuck and Del Worsham's Phil Burkart Checker Schuck's Kragen Funny Car, joined the team in 2002 and was promoted to co-crew chief prior to the 2003 season. Though partial to Funny Cars, Cunningham began his drag racing career working on childhood friend Darrell Gwynn's Top Alcohol Dragster In 1981 and helped Gwynn earn the 1983 national championship. He also was instrumental in Gwynn's Top Fuel success, which included second-place finishes in 1986 and 1988. In all, he spent 12 years with Gwynn, most of those working with crew chief Ken Veney. Cunningham served as assistant crew chief to Rob Flynn on Whit Bazemore's Funny Car from 1994 to 1998, helping Bazemore to a third-place finish in 1997 He also worked with Flynn on Jerry Toliver's Funny Car in 1999 and worked with Alan Johnson and Wayne Dupuy before joining the Worsham camp in 2002. A former line mechanic for US Airways, Cunningham has 55 wins as a crewmember and crew chief.

Biggest influences: "Ken Veney. He wasn't afraid to sit down with me and tell me what he was doing and why he was doing it. I also learned a lot from Alan [Johnson] in the short time I was with him."

Greatest challenges: "Being consistent. Everybody can find the power and get the clutch figured out every now and then, but to do it consistently is by far the hardest thing. Maintaining a good atmosphere with your crew is probably the second toughest."

Career highlights: "Probably winning Indy with Bazemore in 1997. It was Whit's biggest win and probably still is because he owned the car. It was just Rob [Flynn] and I calling the shots. The car ran great all day, and we didn't have anything handed to us. There have been a lot of highlights, but that and winning twice last year are probably the most memorable."

Goals: "I'd love to contend for the championship and be a threat every week with this car. Guys like Mike Neff have really impressed me with how well they're running, and I'd like for our team to be as strong."

Personal: In what little spare time he has, Cunningham enjoys riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle and playing golf. He lives in Concord, ., with his wife Sheila and daughter Lacey.

MARC DEHNER

Co-crew chief, Checker Schuck's Kragen/Worsham & Fink Racing

Age: 30 * Years in drag racing: 11

Racing background: Denner and Chris Cunningham were promoted to co-crew chiefs on Chuck and Del Worsham's Phil Burkart Checker Schuck's Kragen Funny Car after the 2002 season had ended. Denner worked with his father Don on the family's Top Fuel dragster and Funny Car before taking a full-time job with Jim Blake's Funny Car team in 1995. He went to work for the Worshams in 1997 as a bottom-end specialist, and in his eight years with the team, he has done just about everything there is to do on a Funny Car.

Biggest influences: "My dad and Del. My dad pointed me in the right direction, but I'm where I am today because of Del. My dad taught me how to work hard, Jim and Three [Blake] taught me how to work hard on race cars, and Del taught me everything there is to know about dragging one down the road everyday."

Greatest challenge: "The biggest challenge for me was something I had no formal training in, and that was managing people. Tuning the car is hard enough, but making sure we have a cohesive and focused team is a full-time job. It's not easy to find-guys who can do this, and it's not easy to keep them all pulling in the same direction. I'm just lucky that we have such a good group here."

Career highlights: "Winning Vegas last year - that was our first win on our own - and going to the final at Indy [in 2003]."

Goals: "I'd like to win a championship with either Del or Phil, and I'd like to finish my career here. I don't have any desire to go anywhere else."

Personal: Denner enjoys playing golf in his spare time. He lives in Chino Hills, Calif., with his wife Krysta and son Jake.

TODD SMITH

Crew chief, Fram AirHpg/Carrier Boyz Racing

Age: 42 * Years in drag racing: 17

Racing background: Smith, son of two-time NHRA Comp champion Charlie Smith, has been working on nitro cars since 1986. A former motorcycle racer, he worked for Top Fuel racers Bobby Baldwin and Jimmy Nix before joining Kalitta Motorsports in late 1994. Smith spent six seasons working on Connie Kalitta's Top Fuel dragster, the last three as assistant crew chief. While at Kalitta Motorsports, Smith learned from two of the best, Dick LaHaie, who tuned Scott Kalitta's dragster to back-to-back championships in 1994 and 1995, and Ed McCulloch, who tuned Connie's car from 1995 through 1999, the last two years with Doug Kalitta at the wheel. Smith joined Darrell Gwynn's Top Fuel team midway through the 2000 season and took over as crew chief in 2002 following Ken Veney's retirement. In 2003, he tuned Gwynn's Gory McClenathan-driven dragster to a fifth-place finish and a career-best . () and speed (). Last year in 20 races with Carrier Boyz Racing, Smith and McClenathan won once in two final-round appearances and finished seventh.

Biggest influences: "Three guys have really influenced me: Dick LaHaie, Ed McCulloch, and Connie Kalitta. Dick taught me to learn my equipment. He told me that if you know your parts, you'll know what you can do with them. Ed was very meticulous and taught me a lot about organization. Connie taught me to never be afraid."

Greatest challenge: "Adapting to the ever-changing track conditions is probably the biggest challenge."

Career highlight: "Our win in Atlanta last year. That was my first win as a crew chief without anyone's help; I did it on my own with my crew. It was a great day."

Goals: "I want to win races and win championships. I want to be one of the best and stay out here as long as I can."

Personal: Smith lives in Johnson City, Tenn. He has a son, Dareck, and a daughter, Cacey.

MIKE NEFF

Crew chief, Oakley/Don Schumacher Racing

Age: 38 * Years in racing: 14

Racing background: Neff, in his fifth season with Don Schumacher Racing, began his drag racing career working for Larry Minor Racing in 1992. Neff, who grew up and went to school with Minor's two sons, began as a bottom-end specialist on Minor's championship-winning, Cruz Pedregon-driven Funny Car. He spent three seasons with Minor, who in 1995 sold his operation to Joe Gibbs. Neff remained with the team and in 1999 was named assistant crew chief to Wes Cerny on Gibbs' Gory McClenathan-driven Top Fueler. Two years later, he joined Schumacher Racing as crew chief Lee Beard's assistant on the team's Whit Bazemore-driven Funny Car. Neff was promoted to crew chief a year later and tuned Scotty Cannon's Oakley Funny Car to a top 10 finish. Schumacher expanded his Funny Car team in 2003, adding three-time Top Fuel champion Gary Scelzi, and with Neff calling the shots, Scelzi won once and set the national speed record. Last year, the team won three times and recorded the first 330-mph Funny Car run in NHRA history en route to a third-place finish.

Biggest influence: "As far as leadership goes, it has to be Joe Gibbs. People are your biggest asset, and I definitely learned a lot from him about teamwork and how to motivate people."

Greatest Challenge: "The tough part is adjusting to changing track conditions and making the right decisions on Sunday; everything else is pretty easy. My crew has been together for three years, and I don't have to worry about them. My assistant crew chief [Aaron Brooks] oversees everything on the car, so all I have to do is make the decisions on the engine setup."

Career highlight: "The one race that really stands out for me and the one that I'll always remember is the final round against John Force in Las Vegas last October. He made his best run of the weekend, and we made our best run of the weekend, and we outran and beat him. We earned that one, and against him, that's as satisfying as it gets for me."

Goals: "I want to win a championship. This is something that I'd like to make a living at for a while, and I want to be successful, win races, and work in a good place. I want to have fun and get paid doing it."

Personal: Neff lives in Indianapolis with his wife Michelle, son Chase, and daughter Chloe.