Toliver seeks strong performance in Texas

TEMECULA, Calif. Sept. 17, 2008 -­ Rockstar Energy Drink Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car driver Jerry Toliver is looking to score his first victory of the 2008 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series this weekend at the 23rd annual NHRA Fall Nationals at Texas Motorplex, south of Dallas in Ennis.

He is still chasing that elusive triumph in a season full of hard luck and close calls. Despite these setbacks, Toliver remains fiercely determined to reach the winner's circle before the season ends.

The California native has performed well at the Texas Motorplex in the past, reaching the final round on the first all-concrete drag strip in 2000, the season he racked up a career-best three wins in seven final rounds to finish No. 3 in the Funny Car standings.

"You just have to hold your head up and continue to fight," said Toliver, who enters the race No. 15 in the points. "The Rockstar Energy Drink team is not done by any means. Our Dodge Charger is a good race car and we have all the resources we need to get this car turned around.

"We changed our entire setup at the last event and we missed it by a little bit. But things looked promising. My Don Schumacher Racing teammate Gary Scelzi changed his Mopar/Oakley Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car as well, and that team experienced some good results in Concord, N.C., last weekend.

"The bottom line is that all four DSR Funny Cars run basically the same setup now, so we should be able to share information across the board and help each other out.

"The Texas Motorplex is one of my favorite places to race. When owner Billy Meyer built that race track in the mid-1980s it was quite the place. It was the first 'supertrack' in drag racing. Being a former racer himself, Meyer knew what he wanted to get accomplished and he did. The Texas fans are always very enthusiastic and Dallas itself is a fun place to go to. I really enjoy it.

"I'm looking forward to going to Dallas and getting this Rockstar Energy Drink car turned around and putting it in the winner's circle.

"I have to tip my hat to my teammate Jack Beckman. That team has done a phenomenal job with the Valvoline /Mail Terminal Services Dodge. That just shows you that once you get things turned around you can start making some headway. It wasn't too long ago he was in the same boat we're in.

"We're just going to march into Dallas and go some rounds. That's our goal."