The Ladder Effect

 <<Bristol Notes.doc>> 

MOPAR PARTS & DODGE MOTORSPORTS NHRA NOTES

THE LADDER EFFECT
IS DEAN SKUZA A FAVORITE TO WIN THIS WEEKEND?

BRISTOL, Tenn. (April 27, 2001) -- Success is not an overnight proposition.

No one exemplifies that statement more this NHRA Winston Drag Racing season
than Mopar Parts Dodge R/T Nitro Funny Car driver Dean Skuza. The
Brecksville, Ohio, resident is heading into this weekend's inaugural Thunder
Valley Nationals at the Bristol Dragway trying to complete a ladder of
success that started at Firebird International Raceway in Chandler, Ariz.,
earlier this season.

The season opener in Pomona, Calif., marked the low point, when Skuza failed
to qualify. At Firebird International Raceway, the season's second race,
Skuza ran the category's quickest elapsed time of the year at 4.809-seconds,
but lost in round one to Gary Densham. Skuza then lost in the second round
of eliminations at Houston Raceway Park and fell in the third round in Las
Vegas. Note the progression.

Skuza advanced to the final round of the rain-delayed Gatornationals at
Gainesville (Fla.) Raceway last weekend, setting up a potential Skuza climax
this weekend. 

The climb hasn't been easy though.

Skuza has had his fair share of match-ups against the well-funded efforts of
John Force Racing. Prior to his final-round defeat in Gainesville, Skuza had
not lost a round of competition (4-0) to JFR this season -- including two
first-round victories against Tony Pedregon at Houston and Las Vegas. 

"It's all about discipline," said Skuza, who has enjoyed the fruits of
co-crew chiefs John Stewart and Lance Larsen's labor. "John (Stewart) has
brought that to the table. Many people think we tried to rotate the earth
last week in our final with John. That's just not the case. We were trying
to run a 5.00-second elapsed time, maintain consistency, and a cheap part
bit us. 

"The feeling in our pit is different now," Skuza continued. "We go into
every race with the confidence to win. You can see it in each one of our
faces -- it's a confidence. We're definitely not looking past anyone, but we
also know we can beat anyone out there."

Over the past fives seasons, Skuza has proven that contention. His record
against Force, a 10-time NHRA Winston World Champion, has been impressive to
say the least. When many have double-digit losses, Skuza is 6-6, including a
second-round victory at The Strip at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway earlier
this year. 

"I know we're raising some eyebrows," Skuza commented. "It hasn't been easy,
but the rewards will be worth all the effort in the end."

-30-

'SKUZA'S LADDER'

Pomona
Did Not Qualify

Firebird
Lost to Gary Densham

Houston
Beat Tony Pedregon
Lost to Del Worsham

Las Vegas
Beat Tony Pedregon
Beat John Force
Lost to Tommy Johnson Jr.

Gainesville
Beat Gary Densham
Beat Jim Epler
Beat Tim Wilkerson
Lost to John Force

Bristol
Funny Car Winner (?)


Contact: David Harris, SFX/Cotter Group
Dodge Motorsports & Mopar Parts
NHRA Winston Drag Racing Program
(704) 455-4291 - office
(704) 756-9301 - mobile
David.Harris@sfx.com