Etchells Racing Joliet NHRA Pre Race: Epler looks to unveil winning look

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                                                         Contact: Jon G. Knapp
                                                             Phone: (704) 
662-3121
                                                             Fax: (704) 
662-3021


EPLER AIMS TO UNVEIL WINNING LOOK IN JOLIET

Putnam, Conn., May 29, 2001 - Anyone who has ever misplaced their rental car 
in a hotel or office building parking lot can identify with how Etchells 
Racing Funny Car driver Jim Epler must feel each time he pulls into a 
racetrack.  Throughout the first nine races of the 2001 Winston Drag Racing 
season, the Racing Champions/Matco Tools pilot has displayed five different 
paint schemes, with his sixth coming at this weekend's Lucas Oil Products 
NHRA Nationals in Joliet, IL.

But as the Phoenix resident is quick to point out, the significance of this 
kaleidoscopic ride goes well beyond bright colors and eye-catching graphics.  
Working in conjunction with leading diecast producer Racing Champions/ERTL, 
the Etchells organization has created a program which offers companies a 
trial membership in the sport of NHRA Winston Drag Racing.

"We see this program as an opportunity to expose different companies to our 
sport, who otherwise may not have gotten the chance," explained Epler.  
"We're able to do that through a diecast program developed by Racing 
Champions with support from Matco Tools.  For example, after starting the 
year with Chevrolet, we carried the colors of Mötley Crüe, who would not have 
been able to sponsor a Funny Car team for an entire season.  However, they 
were able to experience NHRA Winston Drag Racing for a few races with us.  

"We went from that extreme to Toys R Us, who is one of Racing Champions' 
biggest supporters. With their corporate headquarters in nearby Glen Ellyn, 
we'll feature the Racing Champions/ERTL logo this weekend at Route 66 
Raceway, with many more exciting companies in place for the remainder of the 
year."

There is one element to Epler's new appearance that could dramatically impact 
the team's performance.  Delivered a week ago in Topeka, the Etchells crew 
has worked to prepare a 2001 Camaro body in time for this weekend's race.  
Based on the preliminary results achieved over the last two races with team 
owner Chuck Etchells' similarly skinned race car, it is an ingredient which 
Epler sees as essential to continuing the team's recent upswing.  

"We were fortunate to be able to get some runs in with Chuck's car," stated 
Epler.  "There's no question that the new body is better.  On one of our 
really good, big number tracks, the advantage may not be as noticeable, but 
on a track like Chicago, which is not as good from the 660 to the 1320 (foot 
marks), the 2001 Camaro will really excel, so I'm glad we'll have it this 
weekend.

"This also allows us to once again take full advantage of our two-car team.  
Due to the disparities in the two bodies, our tune-ups were so far apart, we 
couldn't really utilize each other's data.  No matter what, we know we'll 
learn a lot more this weekend."

Epler knows that every performance advantage the team can gather will be most 
welcome, as the competition in Funny Car draws closer every race.  Six times 
in the first nine races, a new mark has been set for the quickest field in 
the class. Although warmer temperatures may prevent another such occurrence 
this weekend, Epler knows that the pressure to perform is increasing with 
each event, and the Etchells Racing Team must soon deliver. 

"With the problems we had early in the year, we knew it would take a few 
races after things were settled to really start showing results," said Epler. 
 "Now that Sunoco has come on board Chuck's car, both ours and our sponsors' 
expectations get higher with every race.  

"The Funny Car division has never been tougher than it is now, and there are 
other top teams having difficulties.  We felt it would take until after 
Chicago to get fully up to speed with personnel, bodies and getting our 
tune-ups in order.  With that in mind, I believe we've done as well or better 
than could be expected.  I am anticipating that without the distractions 
we've had in the past, we'll be back in winning form soon, perhaps as early 
as this race."

Etchells Excerpts:  This weekend will be Chuck Etchells' 3rd appearance at 
Route 66 Dragway, where he hopes to improve one position on his semifinal 
performance here from 1998…In his two previous attempts, Chuck competed in 
his own car in 1998, and Jim Sickles' Camaro in 1999…In qualifying Chuck will 
be looking to better his seventh place efforts from 1998 & 1999…In his last 
appearance at the Joliet quarter-mile in 1999, Chuck qualified 7th and 
advanced to the quarterfinals.

Epler Extras:  Jim will be making his 4th appearance at the Route 66 Raceway, 
and aims to improve upon his semifinal finish here from 1998…Jim's previous 
best qualifying performance in Illinois was 5th, which he accomplished in 
1998…One year ago, Jim qualified 6th for this event and advanced to the 
quarterfinals


Fast Facts

WHAT:   4th annual Lucas Oil Products NHRA Nationals, the tenth event on the 
23-race 2001 NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series Schedule.

WHEN:   May 31 - June 3, 2001

WHERE:  Route 66 Raceway, Joliet, Illinois

SCHEDULE:   Professional qualifying begins with two rounds on Friday, June 1 
at 5:00 & 8:00 p.m., and concludes with two sessions at 1:15 & 4:15 p.m. on 
Saturday, June 2.  Final eliminations begin at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 3.  

TV: There will be two hours of qualifying highlights from Route 66 Raceway on 
ESPN2 from 9:00 - 11:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 2.  On Sunday, June 3, there 
will three hours of final elimination coverage from 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. on 
ESPN2 (Times given are Eastern.  As always, please check your local listings.)

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