NHRA Madison: Etchells sees consecutive races as a learning experience

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


ETCHELLS SEES CONSECUTIVE RACES AS A LEARNING EXPERIENCE   

Putnam, Conn., June 18, 2001 - Less than six days after the completion of 
final eliminations in Columbus, the NHRA's Winston Drag Racing Series will 
take to the track at Gateway International Raceway in Madison, Illinois.  The 
Sears Craftsman Nationals marks the fourth of seven times the world's best 
quarter-milers will compete on consecutive weekends, including a trio of 
three-race stretches.  Although this is a common practice in professional 
motorsports, the task is much larger for the straight-liners.  

Unlike their brethren in the open-wheeled or stock car ranks, there is no 
crew working back at a shop preparing race cars for upcoming races.  In drag 
racing, only one car is used and the teams' transporters serve as mobile race 
shops, hauling everything needed to completely assemble and service their 
machines while on the road.  The number of crew members working on the car is 
also less than what is found in other forms of racing, with no additional 
help flying in on race day.  As such, consecutive races can extract a large 
toll on these skilled mechanics.

This challenge can be even greater for Etchells crew, which is one of the 
youngest in the professional pit area.  Besides putting in long hours working 
on both Etchells' Sunoco/Matco Tools Camaro and Jim Epler's Rug Doctor/Matco 
Tools Camaro, they must also learn the intricacies of their position while 
battling other, more experienced teams.  It is a learning curve that Etchells 
is fully aware of.

"We have some guys working on both cars that have never done this before," 
explained Etchells.  "In that regard, these back-to-back races can be very 
hard.  They come in not knowing what to expect, and it can wear them out.  In 
our case, we're going to be running four weekends in a row, since we have a 
match race next week before heading to Pomona.  I guaranteed they'll know 
what they're up against by the time we're done!"

A key ingredient Etchells sees as so far missing in his young team's 
development is the psychological reward that comes from winning, which he 
feels he and his Etchells Racing brain trust must play a better role in 
providing. 

"Obviously those of us who have won before know what it's like to win," 
stated Etchells.  "That's why we're out here.  A win is the real deal.  It's 
a morale booster, and it makes a team even better.  These crew guys have 
really dedicated themselves, working extremely hard every day.  They're a 
good bunch, and the upper management of Etchells Racing owes them a victory."

In that regard, the high temperatures expected in the St. Louis area this 
weekend should work in the Etchells team's favor, as the vast experience of 
their drivers will ensure they derive the maximum from the two Etchells 
Racing entries on what promises to be a very tricky racing surface.

"Over the years Jim and I have run match races on some pretty questionable 
tracks," said Etchells.  "Back then, you had to learn what the car was trying 
to tell you and how to pedal it just to be able to make it down the track.  
That experience really pays off in the summer when we get to the hot and 
slick racetracks. 

"The bottom line, however, remains winning.  Hopefully, the Sunoco/Matco team 
will put the whole package together this weekend.  I'd like nothing more than 
to reward some very deserving people, from my sponsors to my crew for all 
their hard work and untiring support.  It's a debt that's way overdue, and I 
intend to pay."

Etchells Excerpts:  This weekend will mark Etchells' third appearance at 
Gateway International Raceway, where he hopes to improve by one position on 
his runner-up performance from 1998…In qualifying Chuck will be looking to 
better his previous best qualifying effort of 5th, which he accomplished in 
1997…In his last appearance in Madison in 1998, Chuck qualified 10th and was 
the runner-up to Frank Pedregon.

Epler Extras:  Jim Epler will be making his 4th appearance in Madison, and 
aims to improve upon his semi-final finish here from 1999 …Jim hopes to 
improve upon his No. 3 qualifying performance from a year ago…Jim sists 11th 
in the Winston Points Standings

Fast Facts

WHAT:   5th annual Pontiac Excitement Nationals, the twelfth event on the 
24-race 2001 NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series Schedule.

WHEN:   June 21 - 24, 2001

WHERE:  Gateway International Raceway, Madison, Illinois

SCHEDULE:   Professional qualifying begins with two rounds on Friday, June 22 
at 5:30 & 9:00 p.m., and concludes with two sessions at 1:00 & 4:30 p.m. on 
Saturday, June 23.  Final eliminations begin at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 
24.  

TV: There will be two hours of qualifying highlights from National Trail 
Raceway on ESPN2 from 10:00 p.m.- midnight on Saturday, June 23.  On Sunday, 
June 24, 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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