Osborne Sets National Elapsed Time Record

It's a New National Record
Osborne Sets Elapsed Time Mark; Alderman First to Crack 6.80 Seconds

MOHNTON, Pa. (Oct. 6, 2001) - Mark Osborne and the Hemi-powered Mopar Parts
Dodge Neon R/T shattered NHRA's national Pro Stock elapsed-time record when
he drove the Maple Grove Raceway quarter mile in 6.771 seconds at 202.70
mph.

Osborne, who grabbed his second pole of the 2001 season and third of his
NHRA Pro Stock car career, became the second Hemi-powered driver to hold the
title, as former Mopar Parts pilot Scott Geoffrion held the national
elapsed-time record at 6.809 seconds prior to this year's race at Old Bridge
Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, N.J.

The Abingdon, Va. resident will face off against the Dodge Motorsports Neon
R/T of Larry Morgan in round one, who's 6.832-second lap anchored the
quickest Pro Stock field in NHRA history. It marks the third time this
season that factory-backed Dodge's have met in the first round.

"I can't say enough for this team and the new car," Osborne said. "I knew I
was on a great run, but when they told me what I actually had - it was
incredible. This cool weather really plays into our hands because we have a
lot of horsepower and a great cool-weather set up. I look for big things
tomorrow."

Osborne officially backed up the record with another sub 6.80-second pass in
the fourth qualifying session, a pass in which Osborne's 202.80 mph top
speed was third fastest in history.

But before Osborne could step up, teammate and three-time Winston Pro Stock
World Champion Darrell Alderman broke the magical 6.80-second barrier.
Alderman shifted his Mopar Parts Dodge Neon R/T to the first ever
6.788-second elapsed time at 202.39 mph earlier in the third session. 

Alderman, who faces George Marnell in round one, grabbed the
fourth-qualified position with his effort.

"I knew there was a lot of potential in the Neon when I first drive it in
Denver," Alderman said. "The combination of cool weather and horsepower of
the Hemi engine really showed today. The track's in real good shape and I
think that helped as well."