Alderman Vaults to Provisional Third in Pomona
Mopar Motorsports NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series 43rd Annual K&N Filters NHRA Winternationals Pomona Raceway -- Pomona, California Qualifying Notes & Quotes POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 7, 2003) -- Mopar NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series drivers completed the second day of qualifying for the season-opening K&N Filters Winternationals at the historic Pomona Raceway. Darrell Alderman, driver of the Mopar Parts Dodge Neon R/T Johnson & Johnson Racing Hometown: Morehead, Ky. Age: 53 Current Weekend Best Qualifying Time: 6.803 seconds Current Weekend Best Speed: 203.22 mph Current Weekend Qualifying Position: Third ³The run felt a little light at first, but when I got back and looked at the computer, the 60-foot (time) was good and I think once the track comes around we can improve our elapsed times. Right now, we have to be happy with that run. We changed just about everything on the car from yesterday and it¹s coming together, plus the track has gotten better. ³Yesterday¹s runs were done on a track that had very little rubber down. After today¹s runs, we¹ve got enough rubber down to get better grip and turn better times.² NOTE: Alderman¹s 203.22-mph pass during today¹s qualifying session was a career best; outrunning a 202.88 mph effort at Maple Grove Raceway in Mohnton, Pa., in 2001. Allen Johnson, driver of the Mopar Parts Dodge Neon R/T Johnson & Johnson Racing Hometown: Greeneville, Tenn. Age: 43 Current Weekend Best Qualifying Time: 6.844 seconds Current Weekend Best Speed: 203.09 mph Current Weekend Qualifying Position: 22 ³The track was much better today than it was yesterday, but we were a little too aggressive out there with this car today. We had to back off our gear ratio and clutch settings to take some of the energy out of the car and transfer it to the right places.² Larry Morgan, driver of the Mopar Parts Dodge Stratus R/T Larry Morgan Racing Hometown: Newark, Ohio Age: 48 Current Weekend Best Qualifying Time: 6.958 seconds Current Weekend Best Speed: 198.88 mph Current Weekend Qualifying Position: 36 ³The key for this new Stratus is going to be track time. We¹ve worked real hard over the off-season to get the right people in place to be as competitive as possible. We¹ve done that, now it¹s a matter of test and track time for the car. We just need more time.² Gene Wilson, driver of the Mopar Parts Dodge Stratus R/T Larry Morgan Racing Hometown: Canton, Ga. Age: 30 Current Weekend Best Qualifying Time: 6.920 seconds Current Weekend Best Speed: 198.58 mph Current Weekend Qualifying Position: 34 ³I¹m more than happy with the run from a car standpoint. Keep in mind that this was the fourth pass I¹ve had in this new Stratus. The car is working very well. We¹ve changed shocks, ride height and just about every nut and bolt that you can turn to get the car to drive straight and leave with a short time like it has ‹ there¹s a nice glimmer of hope for this team and breaking in this car. -Mopar.com- For more information, contact: Mike Mooney, Cox Marketing Group Director of Business Services/Principal Mopar Motorsports NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series mikem@coxmarketinggroup.com (704) 799-2114 – office (704) 906-5818 – mobile David Harris, Cox Marketing Group Public Relations Manager Mopar Motorsports NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series davidh@coxmarketinggroup.com (704) 756-9301 - mobile