NHRA pre-race: Hammonds maintains his perspective heading into Reading
Winnebago/GM Vehicle Care Cavalier team hopeful and mindful before the Lucas Oil Nationals Crestview, Fla., September 9, 2002 - This weekend, the 2002 NHRA POWERade season heads into its final quarter starting with a stretch of three races nicknamed the "Fall Swing". For three consecutive weekends, the world's best quarter-milers will battle not only for national event wins, but also to make a final late-season surge in the points standings. The first stop on this high-speed triangle is the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Reading, Pa. Nestled among the trees in rural Pennsylvania, Maple Grove Raceway is the traditional site of the final national event on the Eastern seaboard. Featuring the combination of a racing surface with tremendous traction, cooler fall temperatures, and oxygen-rich air, the 'Grove offers the potential for new national records in every professional category. Therefore, it is not surprising that Tom Hammonds and the Winnebago/GM Vehicle Care Cavalier Racing team are anxious for this weekend's action to get underway. "Maple Grove Raceway is high on my list of favorite tracks," explained Hammonds. "Not only is it a scenic location with tremendous fans, but the conditions are almost always perfect for the Pro Stock cars. In fact, the national record was set there one year ago. We ran our career best elapsed time in Reading with our Winnebago/GM Vehicle Care Cavalier last year, and look for another productive effort there this weekend." Despite the horsepower-friendly nature of Maple Grove Raceway, Hammonds realizes that the key to success lies in his team's ability to match the performance of their Winnebago/GM Vehicle Care Cavalier to what the racetrack and the weather conditions have to offer. Naturally, a prerequisite is total familiarity with their race car, including knowledge of what adjustments are required under every condition. Driven by a competitive fire stoked in twelve years of NBA competition, Hammonds leads his young crew through this 200-mph learning curve, and is quietly confident heading into Reading. "Even though the final result was not to our satisfaction, we did build a little positive momentum in Indianapolis," detailed Hammonds. "We not only made five consistent runs down the track, but we also found other areas in our race car that we could improve upon before Reading, and we're confident that we'll have a good handle on things. "Even though Reading holds the potential for incredible performance, we will approach it like any other race. Our first priority will be qualifying, making sure to take advantage of the good sessions. After that we will focus on the same goal we've had all season - getting our Winnebago/GM Vehicle Care Cavalier to the winner's circle." However, before turning their full attention to this weekend's race, the entire Winnebago/GM Vehicle Care crew will join their countrymen as they mark the first anniversary of the tragedies of September 11. "I will never forget the events of September 11," said Hammonds. "I was home in Crestview, getting my motor home ready to head to Reading when I heard news the and couldn't believe what I was hearing. But through the incredible tragedy, it was encouraging to see how Americans across this great country of ours came together as one to pull ourselves through it. "One year later, we will take time to remember the many lives that were lost that day and their families, and to pray for them and our country. In some small way, we'd like to help, maybe offering the many people affected a little distraction, and if we hit the right tune-up, maybe even give them something to cheer for. They certainly deserve it." Hammonds Highlights: Tom is looking to qualify for the third time at Maple Grove Raceway… One year ago, Tom qualified 11th in Reading, and upset No. 6 qualifier Ron Krisher in the first round before falling to eventual winner Troy Coughlin in the second round …Tom is currently 14th in the NHRA POWERade Points standings with 522 points. Fast Facts WHAT: 18th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, the eighteenth race on the 23-race 2002 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Schedule. WHEN: September 13-15, 2002 WHERE: Maple Grove Raceway, Reading, Pennsylvania SCHEDULE: Professional qualifying begins with two sessions on Friday, September 13 at 3:45 and 6:45 p.m., and concludes with two final sessions on Saturday, September 14 at 12:00 noon and 3:00 p.m. Final eliminations will start at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 15. TV: ESPN2 will provide coverage of this year's Lucas Oil Nationals, starting with ninety minutes of qualifying highlights from 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 14. Final eliminations coverage will be broadcast on Sunday, September 15, with two and a half hours from 4:30 - 7:00 p.m.. The NHRA's weekly magazine show, NHRA2Day will on Sunday, September 15 from 11:00-11:30 a.m. (Times given are Eastern. As always, please check your local listings.)