Etchells & Epler Match Race in Norwalk with Eyes on Pomona

(Note: The following is attached in text format for your convenience.)
 
                                                        Contact: Jon G. Knapp
                                                                  Phone: 
(704) 662-3121
                                                                  Fax: (704) 
662-3021
                                                                  
www.etchellsracing.com


ETCHELLS & EPLER MATCH RACE IN NORWALK WITH EYES ON POMONA

Putnam, Conn., June 29, 2001 - While most of the professional teams in the 
NHRA will be enjoying a well-deserved weekend off, this Saturday will find 
Chuck Etchells, Jim Epler and the Etchells Racing crew in Norwalk, Ohio 
participating in an eight-car match race.  Although this may seem an unusual 
way to spend time away from the Winston Drag Racing circuit, team owner 
Etchells sees it as an investment that will pay off with success at upcoming 
events.

"Match racing is something we have very little time to do anymore," detailed 
Etchells.  "In fact, there were several opportunities offered to us that we 
had to turn down simply because of the time factor.  Even though we are 
heading into a tough stretch of consecutive races, we see this weekend as an 
opportunity to make some runs on both my Sunoco/Matco Camaro and Jim's Racing 
Champions/Matco car, which could prove extremely helpful during the next few 
races. 

"Norwalk Raceway Park has been completely upgraded with new concrete and 
asphalt, so it should offer us the chance to learn about our cars.  We had 
some promising results during our test session in St. Louis on Monday, which 
we'll work on refining in Norwalk.  It's also very important that we put on a 
good show for the fans, so we'll probably make a test run in the afternoon to 
make sure we're up to speed on the conditions."

These smaller, head-to-head events are nothing new to these two veteran Funny 
Car pilots, as it was under similar conditions that they took the initial 
steps in their respective careers.  In each case, match races provided them 
the opportunity to compete and learn prior to joining the NHRA's professional 
ranks on a full-time basis.

"When I was first getting into racing, I used match races to improve my cash 
flow and gain valuable experience," explained Epler.  "Back then, there was 
no better way to learn how to drive a Funny Car than on a bad track during a 
match race.  But with the demands of the current NHRA schedule, it just gets 
too hard on the team to do more than one, so you naturally choose to race at 
the premier event, which Norwalk is.  Norwalk Raceway Park is one of the top 
facilities in the country and they always draw a huge crowd, so we'll have 
the chance to show off our sponsors and run on a really good race track."

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