All photos courtesy of Justin Bowers. This is a 2011 Performance Chassis Dragster powered by a big-block 598 cubic-inch Chevy engine..

It was in the late 1960’s when Joe Lunati, a former drag racer and someone that knew the needs of racers and their cars, started Lunati Camshafts. Once a maker of only camshafts, Lunati has expanded to also deliver rotating assemblies. As their website details, “Lunati began by running in NHRA’s A/Modified Sports class, which ran in Street Eliminator. During his lengthy racing career, Joe learned that the secret to making power in any race engine could be found in the cylinder heads, induction system, and camshaft, and that matching each of these critical components was essential.”

It was his experience as a competitive racer that brought Joe Lunati into the industry, and gave him the tools he needed to be successful. The intimate knowledge he had of race engines gave him an edge over the competition. Decades later, Lunati still brings in professionals with racing history and experience to get the job done.

Justin’s 1967 Chevelle powered by a 406 cubic-inch small-block Chevy engine.

We had the opportunity to talk to Justin Bowers, an engine builder and sales technician at Lunati, who has an extensive background in racing. “It seems like I have been racing my entire life,” Justin says. “I started racing ATV’s at 8 years old, and at 15 years old, I started drag racing cars.”

Justin’s first-hand experience has provided him with the know-how to help customers. “Being in the racing scene for as long as I have, I have tried a few things that worked, and a lot of stuff that didn’t,” Justin explained. He receives calls on what feels like a weekly basis, where a customer is asking for help in a situation that Justin has personally experienced.

“My experience building my own engines and doing a lot of work myself is very beneficial in my job,” he told us. “If I can help someone not make the mistakes I did, it will save them time and money.” After building engines and racing cars for so long, there isn’t much he hasn’t seen, and that is why he is such an asset to the team at Lunati.

“There is no such thing as a stupid question,” Justin explained. “The worst question is the one you don’t ask.” The tech-support team at Lunati is in place to ensure you get your engine built correctly, so take advantage of that, and ask questions. “We would like for everyone to know that Lunati is here for the racers and hot rodders. If you need something just give us a call.”

Justin’s 1972 Nova powered by a 421 cubic-inch small-block Chevy engine.

Justin also stresses the importance of looking ahead when starting a project. “Know what your end goal is. If you are looking to build a daily driver, Then don’t over-build.” He is no stranger to calls from people that are having tuning issues, and are not enjoying their car because they went too far past daily-driver status with the engine build.

When it gets down to it, Justin is just one of the many people employed at Lunati with an impressive personal history in racing. The experience they bring to the table is what makes them so well equipped to help you with any questions you might have, and make sure you are getting the right parts for your build. If you are looking to do any inner-engine upgrades, make sure you give them a call.