Since the end of the 2003 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing season, the worst-kept secret in the sport centered around Funny Car champion Tony Pedregon and his plans to team up with his brother Cruz in 2004.

It's no longer a secret, not that it ever really was one in the first place.

This week, Tony announced at the PRI Show in Indianapolis, an annual performance expo for professional motorsports, that in 2004 he will be joining his brother to form a two-car team in hopes of defending his '03 championship. Cruz will continue his primary sponsorship program with Advance Auto Parts while Tony will be flying the colors of Quaker State Motor Oil.

"Quaker State is a proven leader both on and off the track and we will strive to continue to do the same," said Tony. "The opportunity to work with such a great sponsor is very exciting for us and we look forward to a high-performance program."

The partnership between the two Pedregons marks the first time in NHRA history that two brothers with a professional championship on their resumes have raced together. Cruz Pedregon was the 1992 Funny Car champ and is heading into his third season as the owner/driver of his Advance Auto Parts operation.

Tony Pedregon had been the No.2 driver for John Force since 1996 and was instrumental in Force's remarkable championship string, which was snapped this past season. Dickie Venables, who had been Tony's assistant crew chief with Force Racing, has already been hired to tune the Quaker State car in 2004. Tony has scored 27 national event wins over his F/C career and was most impressive in 2003 as he fought off the tenacious Whit Bazemore for the POWERade title. For each brother, their decision to race together next year is the culmination of a boyhood vision.

	The Pedregons will pair up in 2004.

"Cruz and I racing together is something we have wanted to do since we were children," Tony said. "For years we've been racing as competitors and finally we will race as teammates."

"The talents of my brother, Tony, are undeniable," Cruz said. "Having Tony on board with Pedregon Racing will only benefit this team. And to bring a recognizable sponsor like Quaker State back into the sport is exciting. I couldn't be more anxious for a race season to get started. I am looking forward to many victories and championships in the future."

The Pedregon brothers' collaboration adds even more intrigue to a 2004 Funny Car season which promises to offer wholesale changes throughout the category. New teams, new sponsors, new drivers and new personnel lineups have already been announced with over two months of the offseason yet to go. Tony and Cruz's latest venture is unlikely to be the last significant development we'll see before the 2004 campaign commences in Pomona, Calif., on February 19th.

Bill Stephens covers the NHRA for ESPN and ESPN.com.