Cruz Pedregon Madison Preview
Ninth Annual Sears Craftsman NHRA Nationals Gateway International Raceway Madison, Ill. Advance Auto Parts Nitro Funny Car - Pedregon Racing NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Cruz Pedregon Ready For Night Racing Advance Auto Parts Driver Heads to Madison Sixth in NHRA Nitro Funny Car Points MADISON, Ill. (June 23, 2005) Former Funny Car champion Cruz Pedregon and the Advance Auto Parts team demonstrated what they are capable of with their recent qualifying effort posting a number one in Englishtown N.J. This weekend the team heads to Gateway International Raceway where they would like to finish the three race swing with another strong qualifying effort and a win on race day. ³Things are starting to come together like we planned,² said Pedregon. ³With the hard work and dedication of this team, our efforts are starting to show. We need to continue our strong qualifying efforts and just refine our race day set-up. I feel we¹re back on track and we¹re going into St. Louis with a lot of confidence.² In 1997, the first year for the series to race at Gateway International Raceway, Pedregon was the runner-up, and in 2004, Pedregon advanced to the semifinals ³Gateway International Raceway is a great facility,² added Pedregon. ³It¹s all night racing, including race day, which gives the fans better racing. From their perspective, I think night racing is impressive because you can see the header flames. ³As eliminations continue, the track temperatures will be getting cooler. We¹re going to start when it¹s hot (at 4:30 p.m. Sunday) and track conditions should get better as it cools down. We¹re looking forward to finishing this three race swing in St. Louis with a victory.² Following the race last weekend in Englishtown, N.J., Pedregon heads to Madison in sixth place in NHRA Nitro Funny Car points with 609. Advance Auto Parts, Inc. is based in Roanoke, Va., and is the second largest auto parts chain in the nation. With over 2600 stores in 39 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, the company serves both the do-it-yourself and professional installer markets. Additional information about the company, employment opportunities, services, as well as on-line purchase of parts and accessories can be found on the company's web site at www.advanceautoparts.com <http://www.advanceautoparts.com/> . -PedregonRacing.com-