NHRA Pre-Race: Hammonds Hopes for a Happy Homecoming in Atlanta

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

HAMMONDS HOPES FOR HAPPY HOMECOMING IN ATLANTA
Winnebago Cavalier driver will be local favorite at the Summit Racing 
Equipment NHRA Nationals  

Crestview, Fla., May 1, 2002 - From 1986 to 1989, Tom Hammonds patrolled the 
hardwood at Alexander Memorial Coliseum in Atlanta as a standout power 
forward for Georgia Tech University.  That venerable arena is nicknamed the 
"Thrillerdome" for all the dramatic finishes witnessed there.  This weekend, 
Hammonds returns to the area hoping to display a completely different type of 
power at another facility known for producing exciting results of its own.  

In his first full season as the driver of the Winnebago Pro Stock Cavalier in 
the NHRA's POWERade Drag Racing Series, Hammonds comes to Atlanta Dragway 
looking to score a popular victory by taking home the title at this weekend's 
Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals presented by Pontiac.  

"I've always considered Atlanta to be my second home, and while I was at 
Georgia Tech I would come out to the Southern Nationals as a spectator," 
stated Hammonds.  "I would dream about competing, and now years later that 
dream will become a reality with the Winnebago Cavalier.  

"I know we'll have a lot of friends and family in the stands.  My mom and my 
kids are planning on coming up, as well as an uncle who's never seen me race. 
 Besides, my financial advisor, who saw me spend a lot of money on racing 
during my early years in the NBA, will finally have a chance to see what all 
my craziness was about.  It should be a lot of fun for everybody, and I'm 
looking forward to having a great weekend."  

It has been a hectic few days for the Hammonds crew.  Concerned about the 
health of their primary race motor, and with less than a week between races, 
the team took swift action.   The suspect powerplant was removed from the 
race car, and driven in the team's van by crew member Mike Matthews directly 
from Bristol, TN, to the KRJ Engines shop in Columbus, Ohio.  Once there, it 
was given a thorough inspection and rebuild, after which it was placed on a 
dynamometer to verify its health.  The procedure complete, it was reloaded in 
the van, with Matthews heading south to Georgia, arriving in time to 
reinstall the reenergized V-8 in their Cavalier, which itself was gone over 
from nose to tail.  At the same time, Hammonds tended to various media 
obligations throughout the early part of the week, rejoining the team to 
assist with the reassembly.

"It's been a busy week," explained Hammonds.  "The main priority was getting 
our race motor back to the shop in Columbus, which Mike Matthews did.  He 
should get to Commerce on Wednesday night so we can put it back in our 
Winnebago Cavalier on Thursday.  It's a lot of work to do in a short time, 
but in my opinion, I have one of the best crews in the Pro Stock pits.  
Believe me, they earned their money this week."

Racing at Atlanta Dragway presents various challenges to Hammonds.  For 
example, it is yet another surface on which the team will compete for the 
very first time. In addition, the presence of friends and family could add 
pressure on the team to perform in an already tough field.  Calling on 
previous experience, Hammonds enters the event with a positive outlook.

"We tested in Atlanta a few years ago, but that was before the track was 
resurfaced.  I've heard it's very smooth and very fast.  We'll go in with 
same game plan as we had for the first few races of this year, starting with 
our baseline tune-up and adjusting from there, seeing what we can do. 

"I'm used to playing basketball where you'd take family and friends to the 
game, so having a crowd on hand this weekend shouldn't be a distraction.  
It's my job to qualify and win races, and I put everything else aside when 
it's time to go.  After all, we'll have plenty of time to celebrate with the 
Winnebago Cavalier in the winner's circle."

Hammonds Highlights:  This will be Tom Hammonds' 1st appearance at Atlanta 
Dragway… Tom is currently 9th  in the NHRA POWERade Points standings, and is 
twenty-nine points (approximately 1 ½ rounds of competition) out of 5th.  

Fast Facts

WHAT:   22nd annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals presented 
by Pontiac, the seventh race on the 23-race 2002 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing 
Series Schedule.

WHEN:   May 3 - 5, 2002

WHERE:  Atlanta Dragway, Commerce, Georgia

SCHEDULE:   Professional qualifying begins with two sessions on Friday, May 3 
at 3:10 and 6:45 p.m., and concludes with two more sessions on Saturday, May 
4 at 10:30 a.m. and 2:15 p.m.  Final eliminations will start at 11:00 a.m. on 
Sunday, May 5.

TV: ESPN2 will televise two hours of qualifying highlights from 9:00-11:00 
p.m. on Saturday, May 4, with an additional two hours of final eliminations 
coverage on Sunday, May 5from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m..  The NHRA's weekly magazine 
show, NHRA2Day will on Sunday, May 5 from 11:00-11:30 a.m. (Times given are 
Eastern.  As always, please check your local listings.)

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