NHRA: Stevens aims for strong move in points in Dallas

DON SCHUMACHER RACING
2005 NHRA POWERade DRAG RACING SERIES
Round 21 of 23
O'REILLY NHRA FALL NATIONALS
Texas Motorplex
Dallas, Texas
Race Dates: Oct. 7-9, 2005


DALLAS (Oct. 7, 2005) - Richie Stevens Jr. is aiming for a move up in the
NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Pro Stock point standings this weekend at
the O'Reilly NHRA Fall Nationals at the Texas Motorplex.

The driver of the Team Mopar/Valspar HEMI-powered Dodge Stratus R/T, who
reached his second final round of the season on Labor Day at the U.S.
Nationals, has since suffered through two first-round losses. He's looking
for a turn-around this weekend as the season winds down to the last three
events.

"I hope it's better than the last two," said the New Orleans native. "The
last two races were completely terrible. We went from doing so well in Indy
and we got to Reading (Pa.) and lost by a couple of inches. We went to
Chicago and we qualified really well, and we thought we would go a couple of
rounds, but that didn't happen.

"Hopefully the third one is a charm in Dallas and we'll go some rounds here.
We need to, we only have three races left. We have to start doing something
in order to stay in the points. I'd like to move up a couple of spots. I
think fifth is out of reach but at least maybe a sixth would be nice to
finish off the year, and we're still looking for that first win."

Stevens is seventh in the Pro Stock rankings, just 23 points out of sixth.

SCHEDULE:      
On Friday, Oct. 7, professional qualifying sessions are at 4:30 and 7 p.m.
On Saturday, Oct. 8, pro qualifying continues at at noon and 3 p.m. On
Sunday, Oct. 9, pre-race ceremonies are at 10 a.m., final eliminations begin
at 11 a.m.
 
TELEVISION:     
On Saturday, Oct. 8, ESPN2 will televise two hours of qualifying highlights
at 4 p.m. (ET). On Sunday, Oct. 9, ESPN2 will televise three hours of final
eliminations at 8 p.m. (ET).


RICHIE STEVENS JR. QUICK FACTS:
* Seventh in 2005 Pro Stock points after 20 races, reached final round
twice, was No. 1 qualifier once
* Joined Don Schumacher Racing after sending in a resume for 2005 season
* Cut short driving career in 2002 to run family business while dad Richie
Sr. underwent open-heart surgery
* With dad Richie Stevens Sr. owns Stevens Collision Center in New Orleans
* Born and raised in New Orleans, is 26 years old
* His career-best ET and speed so far: 6.669 ET (Englishtown 2005) and
207.08 mph in Gainesville, Fla., 2005
* Has longtime relationship with associate sponsor Valspar
* Capped off rookie season in 1998 with a victory in his first final-round
appearance (Pomona 2)
* Is youngest Pro Stock driver to win a national event, at 20-one month, in
1998
* Has four career wins in eight final rounds, two No. 1 qualifiers to his
credit
* In 1999 he became the eighth member of the Speed Pro 200-mph Pro Stock
Club with a 200.08 mph run in Richmond, Va.
* Competed in Roy Hill's Pro Mod car in 2004, with a semifinal finish at the
U.S. Nationals his best result