Stevens scores 10th in Brainerd qualifying

DON SCHUMACHER RACING
2005 NHRA POWERade DRAG RACING SERIES
Round 16 of 23
LUCAS OIL NHRA NATIONALS
BRAINERD INT'L RACEWAY
BRAINERD, MINN.
Race Dates: Aug. 12-14, 2005


BRAINERD, Minn. (Aug. 13, 2005) - Richie Stevens Jr., steering the Team
Mopar/Valspar HEMI-powered Dodge Stratus R/T, made four solid qualifying
runs amid ideal weather conditions at Brainerd International Speedway,
qualifying 10th in the Pro Stock class for the NHRA Lucas Oil Nationals.

Under overcast skies and in cool temperatures, Stevens' best qualifying
effort came during Saturday's second session. The final qualifying pass
produced a 6.735-second elapsed time at 204.60 mph. The other runs by the
Bob Glidden-tuned Dodge were 6.803/203.83, a 6.749/204.39 and a
6.745/204.85.

"We made four good, consistent runs," said the New Orleans native who is
seeking his first season victory. "We need a little bit of luck on our side
for once. We haven't had it, but tomorrow would be a good day to start it.

"The team's not in the top half, which would have been a benefit, because it
seems like it's a one-lane track out there," said Stevens. "The left lane
seems to be a hundredth-and-a-half or two (of a second) better than the
right."

"We're still making the field every race, so that's a plus. I'll see if we
can pull off an upset first thing in the morning," he said of his
first-round match-up against Jason Line in eliminations.

On how Glidden's success at BIR (four victories in 1983, 1985, 1986 and 1992
as a driver) may be an advantage: "He has a pretty good understanding of
this place," said Stevens. "We made four good runs in each car down the
track (including his teammate and No. 9 qualifier Jeg Coughlin, whose car is
also tuned by Glidden). He may have a little bit of an advantage over other
crew chiefs at this track."