Quaker State Racing/Tony Pedregon Bandimere Preview
Quaker State Racing Funny Car Pedregon Racing NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Mopar Mile-High Nationals -- Bandimere Speedway Pre-Race Notes & Quotes Bandimere Offers Extreme Racing Conditions New Challenges Greet Tony Pedregon and Quaker State Racing MORRISON, Colo. (July 15, 2004) Bandimere Speedway. The two words that can strike fear into the souls of even the heartiest of NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series teams. It¹s extreme racing at its finest in the Colorado Rockies. Reigning NHRA Funny Car champion Tony Pedregon, knows the challenges awaiting him and the Quaker State Nitro Funny Car heading into this weekend¹s Mopar Mile-High Nationals, just outside of Denver. Despite its stellar reputation for hospitality and huge race weekend crowds, Bandimere Speedway is situated more than 5,400 feet above sea level and along a mountainside that can turn the July heat even more stifling. Conditions are sure to challenge Pedregon, crew chief Dickie Venables and the entire Quaker State Racing organization. ³Bandimere is always a tough race for any team,² said Pedregon, who will be making his first appearance at Bandimere as co-owner of his own operation. ³We¹re probably at a bigger disadvantage than any other team out there due to a lack of information with this equipment. This is the first year we are racing at this altitude as a new team. ³(Crew chief) Dickie Venables will make up for that lack of on-track information with his experience and knowledge,² Pedregon continued. ³He¹s very thorough in setting up the car for elevation. And we have Quaker State¹s racing oil and performance specialists supporting us to make sure everything going into the car is tuned for the conditions. ³So all in all, I do have confidence heading into this weekend. From a personal experience standpoint, we¹re very familiar with the air and climate. Bandimere has a tendency to equal out the playing field a little bit.² This weekend also kicks off the grueling West Coast swing, which consists of three-straight NHRA national events starting at Bandimere, moving to Pacific Raceways just outside Seattle next weekend and culminating with the race at picturesque Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif. ³It¹s very important for us, in these next three races, to deliver on performance and come out with a win,² Pedregon stated. ³It¹s a crucial time of the year. We want to see some results. Mentally, I¹m very motivated to get back to these races because I know what the stakes are. The West Coast swing is a great opportunity to turn the season around.² Quaker State Racing Notebook: RULES CHANGE: The Darrell Russell tragedy during the most recent event at Gateway International Raceway in Madison, Ill., has resulted in a couple of rule changes within NHRA¹s Funny Car category. Quaker State Racing¹s Tony Pedregon commented on Goodyear¹s new tire combination and minimum tire pressure. ³Without a doubt, some changes had to be made,² said the 39-year-old. ³It¹s a part of our evolutionary process as a sport. We naturally tend to focus more when there is a catastrophe. In a way, I think NHRA needs to save us from ourselves. It¹s good they are taking a look at certain issues. In the end, I think our safety record speaks for itself. Darrell Russell¹s death is a huge loss for the sport, and because of that, I think we¹re going to take a bunch of positive steps. ³You always have to lean towards the safety side of any issue,² Pedregon added. ³These cars accelerate so quickly, and the speeds we run are very dangerous. There are a whole lot of different ways we can run over 300 mph. I think it¹s NHRA¹s duty, with the input of all the drivers and teams, to figure out what is the best, and safest, way to achieve our goals. I know the tire issue is large, but maybe we need to look at the rear spoiler or reduce the amount of downforce we put on these cars as well. Our downforce puts such a load on these tires. The fact there is already two to three rule changes is a definite step in the right direction.² Quaker State® is one of the world¹s leading motor oil and automotive products brands, and is marketed in over 45 countries. Quaker State® offers a full line of lubricants specially formulated for the needs of different engines, transmissions and gears. All products undergo extensive research, development and testing to meet and exceed the latest industry and OEM performance requirements. Quaker State® Racing develops highly specialized extreme performance oils and lubricants available to race teams worldwide. For more information about Quaker State® products and partners visit www.quakerstate.com. Quaker State® brand products are manufactured by SOPUS Products, a subsidiary of Shell Oil Company. SOPUS Products is a leader in fast lubes, automotive/consumer products, transport and industrial offerings to consumer and business customers. SOPUS Products markets Pennzoil®, Quaker State® and FormulaShell® motor oils, a portfolio of car care products and Jiffy Lube® services. Shell Oil Company is an affiliate of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies . For more information please visit www.shell.com. PedregonRacing.com Contact: David Harris, Cox Marketing Group Media Relations Manager Pedregon Racing (704) 799-2114 office (704) 756-9301 mobile davidh@coxmarketinggroup.com