Cannon and Mother Nature

DON SCHUMACHER RACING
NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series
Round 5 of 23
O'Reilly Spring Nationals presented by Pennzoil
HOUSTON RACEWAY PARK
Race Date: April 11-13, 2003

Contact: Judy Stropus, 203-438-0501; cell, 203-243-2438

MOTHER NATURE A KEY FACTOR IN HOUSTON, SAYS CANNON

HOUSTON (April 9, 2003) -- "Houston is one of those tracks where just about
everyone can make power because Mother Nature plays a big role," says Scotty
Cannon, driver of the Oakley Funny Car from Don Schumacher Racing, talking
about the O'Reilly Spring Nationals this weekend at Houston Raceway Park,
the fifth round of the 23-event NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.

The popular Mohawk-coiffed driver is ready to attack this track now that his
Phil Shuler-led team is well-rested after what they consider a satisfying
event at Las Vegas last weekend, where Cannon qualified No. 8 in the field
and won his first match-up of the season.

"Houston Raceway Park is a lot like all the rest of the tracks; real, real
weather-sensitive," he said. "If there¹s a lot a lot of sun you can still
run pretty good, because the air is good and you can make gobs of
horsepower.

"We're just going to have to race it like we did in Vegas," Cannon added.
"Actually, it¹s a crapshoot the first run. I say that, but we have numbers
to go by for what kind of tune-up we should use. We will try to get it where
we get down the track good but not like where it might not qualify. And if
that holds true, hopefully for the night run on Friday, I can let it all
hang out. Usually, in the night run, even if it is hot and the track is
sticky or gooey during the day it will be good for that night run."

Qualifying for the Nitro classes at the O'Reilly Spring Nationals this
weekend is at 4:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 11. On Saturday,
April 12, Nitro classes qualify at 12:00 noon and 3:30 p.m. Final
eliminations on Sunday, April 13, begin at 11 a.m. All times are CT.

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