Stevens Jr. posts career-best ET to qualify No. 5 in Gainesville

DON SCHUMACHER RACING
2006 NHRA POWERade DRAG RACING SERIES
Round 3 of 23
ACDelco NHRA GATORNATIONALS
GAINESVILLE (FLA.) RACEWAY
Race Date: March 17-19, 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 18, 2006) - New Orleans-born Pro Stock driver
Richie Stevens Jr. is used to the sun, and it showed during qualifications
for the NHRA Gatornationals under sunny conditions and temperatures in the
70s in each of the two days. The driver of the Team Mopar/Valspar Dodge
Stratus R/T posted a career-best elapsed time of 6.664 seconds at 206.04 mph
to qualify No. 5 in the quickest Pro Stock field in the history of the NHRA
POWERade Drag Racing Series.

His run capped a series of consistent qualifying passes heading into
Sunday's final eliminations. His other laps included a 6.727/205.33,
6.705/205.57, and a 6.695/205.71.

"We want to go as quick as possible all the time, or else we wouldn't be
race-car drivers," he said of his quick run. "The fans love to see it as
well, and this is a track that puts up big numbers.

"We're in the field and we made great runs throughout the whole
weekend. The 6.664 probably could have been a little better, but we'll
take it and head into tomorrow."

Stevens' goal for Sunday, as always, is to go rounds and acquire as many
points as possible, "Let's just get out of the first round and take one
round at a time and rack up those points," he said.

"When it comes down to the end of the year and you're fighting for spots
or the championship every point matters, every little point counts. It's
good to have the attitude to just go out there and go rounds on Sunday and
be consistent, and worry about winning the race later."

Stevens will face Tom Martino in the first round of Sunday eliminations.
"Lane choice is always a factor, so qualifying No. 5 is great," he added.
"It helps us on Sunday, and in the King Demon Crown points (based off
qualifying, currently fifth), so it helps us several ways.

"We are headed in the right direction."