Stevens improves career-best ET, qualifies No. 6 in Texas

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. 8, 2005) - Richie Stevens Jr. is determined to make a move
in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Pro Stock standings before year's
end. He and the Team Mopar/Valspar HEMI-powered Dodge Stratus R/T crew are
looking at that opportunity in Sunday's O'Reilly Fall NHRA Nationals at the
Texas Motorplex.

No. 7 in points Stevens, who qualified sixth with a career-best 6.688-second
elapsed time at 205.79 mph in the last session, will face his teammate and
No. 11 qualifier Jeg Coughlin in the opening stanza, who is 36 points behind
Stevens. Adding to Stevens' potential rise in points is the fact that Jim
Yates (40 points behind in 10th) did not qualify, and Ron Krisher and Greg
Stanfield (eighth and sixth in points) face each other in the first round.

"I'm surprised we moved up in that last session. I wasn't expecting it,"
said Stevens, who was 10th going into the final round. "I'm not saying that
we weren't capable. I just didn't think that would be the better session (in
the heat of the day).

"It's good that last run bumped us up, but it's bad that we have to
face Jeg first round. It's unfortunate we have to race each other, but at
least one of the Don Schumacher Pro Stock cars will be moving onto the
second round. Hopefully it will be the Mopar/Valspar Dodge.

"I think I've raced him more than anyone else in Pro Stock this year,"
said Stevens, who faces Coughlin for the fourth time this season in the
first round, and fifth total for the year.

"We should be able to go some rounds. The good news is Jim Yates did not
qualify, so that gives us some breathing room. If we can go a few rounds
past Krisher and Stanfield, then it will get us closer to where we want to
be.

"We could use a win, we're trying to stay alive. I'd like to end up
sixth or seventh in points when it's all said and done (Stevens is
currently No. 7, 23 points behind sixth place Stanfield). Hopefully
we'll have a good Sunday and pull out a win.