Cruz Pedregon Elimination Wrap Up From Topeka

NHRA 2005 NOTES & QUOTES

17th annual NHRA Summer Nationals
Heartland Park Topeka­ Topeka, Kan.
Advance Auto Parts Nitro Funny Car - Pedregon Racing
NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series

Cruz Pedregon Falls in the First
Advance Auto Parts Driver Keeps Fourth in NHRA POWERade Points


TOPEKA, Kan. (May 29, 2005) ­ Cruz Pedregon, driver of the Advance Auto
Parts Nitro Funny Car, lost in the first round of eliminations during
todayıs 17th annual NHRA Summer Nationals at Heartland Park Topeka.

With problems starting early in the pass, Pedregon gave contender Eric
Medlen an ample advantage. The 1992 NHRA Funny Car World Champion logged a
5.301-second elapsed time at 237.5 mph, falling behind Medlenıs 4.827-second
elapsed time at 322.34 mph.

³We gave it a good shot but came up a little short,² Pedregon said. ³I felt
the tires shake early in the pass and I had to get off the throttle and then
back on, we even lost some traction. This has been an odd weekend for us
because we have had a very good car during the last five or six races.²

The Advance Auto Parts team heads to Route 66 Raceway next to test and get
the car ready for the upcoming race in Joliet, Ill.

³We will be testing in Chicago in two days,² explained Pedregon. ³Weıll put
in a few rides and get the glitch in the clutch/horsepower area worked out.
With all the good work my team puts in and the support of our sponsors,
weıll have the car in top shape for the next race at Route 66 Raceway.²

Pedregon keeps place No. 4 in NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series points with
539. 

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