Tony Pedregon Approves of Pacific Raceway's New Surface
Quaker State Racing Funny Car Pedregon Racing NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Pacific Raceways Friday Qualifying Notes & Quotes Tony Pedregon Prepares For Saturday Sessions Quaker State Racing Adapting to Challenging Condiitons KENT, Wash. (July 23, 2004) Tony Pedregon, who pilots the Quaker State Racing Monte Carlo Nitro Funny Car, is quite pleased with the new track surface offered at Pacific Raceways this weekend. Pedregon, who has qualified second in two of the last three NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series national events, drove to the 14th slot with a 5.214-second elapsed time at 281.77 mph. Pedregon was fourth after the first session, overpowering the track in round number two. ³We definitely have better track conditions, and itıs so important for the great fans of the Seattle market,² Pedregon said. ³We made a good run, especially in the first session, and was in the top four at that point. ³We were just a little too aggressive in that second session,² Pedregon added. ³Weıll have similar conditions tomorrow. I feel good about our chances. We always like being qualified in the top half of the field. Our goal tomorrow is to keep that going, and get this car back where it belongs.² This is the first time Pedregon has competed at Pacific Raceways with his own race team. ³We have a very capable team,² Pedregon commented. ³This is the first time the people of the Northwest have gotten a chance to see the Quaker State Racing team and weıve had a wonderful reception. Weıll give them their moneyıs worth tomorrow.² Quaker State Racing Notebook: A HOT ONE: Track temperatures hovered above the 140-degree mark for the first two rounds of qualifying here at Pacific Raceways. Tony Pedregon and the Quaker State Racing team were also adapting to NHRAıs new 85-percent nitromethane rule, which went into effect this weekend. ³We have more heat here than we even saw in Denver,² said Pedregon, describing the mid 130-degree track temperatures present during eliminations at Bandimere Speedway last weekend. ³Here, we have a lot more air, thus a lot more downforce. ³It seems like most of the teamıs have adapted well to the new 85-percent nitromethane rules,² Pedregon added. ³We have made the right adjustments. I think tomorrow, we need to make a few more adjustments. We do have a good idea what areas we were a little too aggressive in. Going into that last session tomorrow, we really hope to make a run at the top half because the conditions will be a little better.²