Team ACDelco IHRA Pre Race: Harold Martin Works to Maintain Championship Momentum in Martin

Team ACDelco
IHRA Pre-Race Fact Sheet
Harold Martin
Owner/Driver
ACDelco Pro Modified Pontiac Grand Am					

Event: 23rd Annual IHRA Torco Northern Nationals, the eighth event of the 12-race,
 2004 IHRA Hooters Drag Racing Series.
Location:  US 131 Motorsports Park
       Martin, Michigan
Dates:  August 12-14, 2004

Harold Martin Works to Maintain Championship Momentum in Martin

As the 2004 Hooters Drag Racing season enters its final few races, the racers' attention will turn towards the Pro Modified championship battle.  Although the natural inclination is to simply focus on the points chase, current leader Harold Martin and the ACDelco Racing team will leave the accounting to others, preferring instead on maintaining the winning form that has put them atop the field.  Therefore, they enter this weekend's Torco Northern Nationals with their sights set on scoring their second national event win.

"Although we are certainly aware of the points situation, our primary intent is not to get away from the approach that put us in this position," explained Martin.  "We will therefore continue to do our homework back at the shop, making sure every engine is fully dynoed, and that our ACDelco Grand Am is extremely well prepared.  Once at the track, we will do whatever we can to continue racing the racetrack as well as we have to this point.  

"Our goal is not to necessarily set a track record on every pass, but to continue to display competitive, consistent performance, putting ourselves in the best position possible to capture our first championship."

Even with his tremendous performance to date, with one win in three final round appearances, Martin is continually seeking to increase his advantage, working tirelessly to further improve his revolutionary ACDelco Pontiac Grand Am, while sticking to a carefully conceived game plan.

"One of this ACDelco Racing team's hallmarks is our commitment to the development of new technology," said Martin.  "Even as we strive for the championship, we continue to spend an extensive amount of time looking for ways to assist our program.  

"However, where others are able to freely swing for the fences in their attempts to catch us, due to our position as the points leader, we are slightly more cautious in where and when we will debut new items, preferring instead to employ a proven scenario.

"We have a tremendous respect for our competition, and realize this fight for the championship is going to go down to the wire.  Therefore, we will continue to race smartly, trying not to go beyond current capabilities."
One of the primary challenges facing all competitors this weekend is the racing surface at US 131 Motorsports Park.  The combination of unseasonably cool temperatures and final eliminations held on Saturday night will create a completely new tuning scenario, with teams fighting to find the proper set-up, a situation Martin believes should favor his talented crew. 

"Historically, the racing surface in Milan has displayed extremely high temperatures as a result of the sun baking on it.  However, the fact that the forecast for this weekend is calling for overcast skies and cooler temperatures puts an entirely new twist on it, with the Saturday evening eliminations adding an extra spin.  

"I ultimately surmise that it will be good, with the track records possibly being reset.  We think we should be in pretty good shape, and the ACDelco team goes into this race feeling as good as we have at any other event this season.  Hopefully, we will share some luck and go some rounds.  After all, nothing would be better than having a Martin win at a track in Martin!"

Finally, Martin took time to express his concern for fellow competitor Von Smith, who underwent emergency heart surgery a few days ago.  

"Von Smith is not only a great driver, but I also consider him a good friend," said Martin.  "I have always seen him as being fit and the bodybuilder of the IHRA, so I was shocked to hear the news about his surgery.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to Von, his wife and family, as well as our best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery."

Harold Martin Fast Facts:
	*	Career best elapsed time:  6.190 seconds, Rockingham, NC 10/03
	*	Career best top speed: 228.54 mph, Cayuga, Ontario, Canada, 8/04
	*	Won his first IHRA Pro Modified national event on July 4, 2004 at the Western RV Rocky Mountain Nationals in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
	*	Currently leads in the Hooters Drag Racing Series Pro Modified Championship Standings
	*	Harold finished fifth in the 2003 IHRA Championship Standings, his first career Top Five finish
	*	Nicknamed the "EFI Wizard" for his expertise in with electronic fuel injection, including the revolutionary system in his ACDelco Pro Mod Grand Am, which he designed.
	*	Former GM engineer and holder of 10 worldwide patents

Event Schedule:  
		Qualifying -     Friday, August 13 -     Two sessions at 2:00 & 7:30 p.m. 
					Saturday, August 14 -  A single qualifying session at 11:00 a.m., followed by the first round of final eliminations at 4:00 p.m.

TV Schedule:  
	Saturday, September 18 - 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. - pee Channel				# # #