Englishtown Pre-Race: Etchells Set for Fresh
Start in Englishtown
(Note: The following is also attached in text format for your convenience.)
Contact: Jon G. Knapp
Phone: (704) 662-3121
Fax: (704) 662-3021
ETCHELLS SET FOR FRESH START IN ENGLISHTOWN
Putnam, Conn., May 9, 2001 - When the Chuck Etchells Racing Team pulls into
Old Bridge Township Raceway Park for next week's Matco Tools Supernationals,
the entire organization will be sporting a completely new look. From their
sleek Camaro Z28 Funny Car and the massive 53-foot race transporter that
carries it to the team's uniforms, every piece will now carry the familiar
blue-and-yellow colors of new primary sponsor Sunoco.
"This is the first time since 1992 that I've had a major sponsor on the car
that wasn't white, red and black," explained Etchells. "It's certainly going
to be a different feeling looking at the car and putting on the uniform. But
I am excited and optimistic. I see this as my first race of many in the
Sunoco/Matco Camaro."
However, Chuck Etchells hopes that the changes are not simply limited to his
team's appearance, as they look to rebound from an uncharacteristically slow
start. After opening with a promising semi-final finish in Pomona, the
Etchells organization has battled to overcome serious off-track issues, which
limited the team's resources and restricted their ability to remain
competitive. The fact that the 2001 Winston Drag Racing season was proving
to be the most competitive in the history of the Funny Car division only
served to compound the Etchells crew's battle for survival. Finally,
following the Las Vegas race, Etchells made the difficult decision to curtail
his two-car operation to the lone entry driven by Jim Epler. After twenty
years the team's future was suddenly in jeopardy. Fortunately, Sunoco
stepped in at the last minute.
"We were headed out of the sport of drag racing," said Etchells. "It came
down to finding a deal or liquidating our assets to pay our bills. I like
putting things together, and it was very hard seeing something we had built
for so long start to fall apart. Sunoco saved my team and my career."
The Sunoco sponsorship has seemingly revitalized the entire Etchells
organization. Despite the massive undertaking required to complete the
mid-season transformation, which has painters and embroiderers across the
country working overtime, Chuck Etchells is excited heading into Englishtown,
viewing the change as a fresh start. However, he is realistic in his
expectations.
"There is no question that right now our challenges are bigger than the other
top teams in our sport," stated Etchells. "They've had their programs
running in the right direction all year, giving them an advantage that will
be tough to overcome. But I'm excited because I see this as an opportunity.
"In our previous situation, we were stagnant, with no chance of moving
forward. I believe we now have an opportunity to grow with companies like
Sunoco, Matco Tools and Chevrolet. They're a good bunch, but they certainly
expect performance. In that regard, the ball is in our court, and I've
always liked a challenge."
The location for this important race could not have been better if scripted
by Hollywood. The annual gathering of the world's best quarter-milers in
Englishtown is one of the most traditional and prestigious events on the
circuit. In addition, not only is the title sponsorship held by Matco Tools,
Etchells Racing's major associate sponsor, but the Garden State facility is
located within an hour of Sunoco's corporate headquarters in Philadelphia,
guaranteeing Etchells will have a most interested audience. However, a quick
look at Etchells' Englishtown record allays any concerns of stage fright,
with two wins (including his first NHRA national event win in 1990) in four
final round appearances.
"If I had to pick a location at which to start a comeback, Englishtown would
be at the top of my list," detailed Etchells. "Normally the track conditions
are wonderful, and the lanes are fairly equal. When you get to the tricky
tracks, the tuning window gets extremely narrow. Fortunately, at Raceway
Park, it's definitely more forgiving. That bodes well for the Sunoco/Matco
Camaro, because Terry (Manzer) and Larry (Meyer) certainly know how to make
horsepower.
"We'll have a big crowd on hand this weekend, with guests from Sunoco, Matco
Tools and my other company Union Roto. The pressure will be on us to
perform, but I think we're up to it. After the last few months, it will be
good to concentrate on running our racecar. I have a feeling this is going
to be a great weekend."
Etchells Excerpts: This weekend will be Chuck Etchells' 13th appearance at
the Raceway Park, where he hopes to duplicate his winning finishes from 1990
& 1992…Chuck will be looking to repeat his No. 1 qualifying performance from
this event in 1997….In his last eight races in the Garden State, Chuck has
qualified outside the top seven only once…Chuck's last appearance in
Englishtown came in 1998, when he qualified 6th and advanced to the
semi-finals.
Fast Facts
WHAT: 31st annual Matco Tools Supernationals, the eighth event on the
23-race 2001 NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series Schedule.
WHEN: May 18 - 20, 2001
WHERE: Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, Englishtown, New Jersey
SCHEDULE: Professional qualifying begins with two rounds on Friday, May 18
at 5:00 & 8:00 p.m., and concludes with two sessions at 1:45 & 4:45 p.m. on
Saturday, May 19. Final eliminations begin at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 20.
TV: There will be two hours of qualifying highlights from Englishtown on
ESPN2 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 19. On Sunday, May 6, there
will two hours of final elimination coverage from 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. on ESPN2
(Times given are Eastern. As always, please check your local listings.)
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