Quaker State Racing/Tony Pedregon Reading Pre-Race
Quaker State Racing Funny Car Pedregon Racing NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Maple Grove Raceway Mohnton, Pa. Pre-Race Notes & Quotes Tony Pedregon Ready for Pennsylvania¹s ŒMineshaft¹ Quaker State Racing Looks for Record-Breaking Weekend MOHNTON, Pa. (Sept. 15, 2004) Maple Grove Raceway has traditionally been a place of record-setting performances. Much of that can be attributed to the cooler conditions and ample amounts of sea-level oxygen available in this central Pennsylvania quarter mile mineshaft. These are the same conditions that breed confidence for the Quaker State Racing Monte Carlo Nitro Funny Car team and driver Tony Pedregon, who won this event back during the 1992 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series season. He talked about what to expect this weekend. ³It¹s a high-powered track,² Pedregon said. ³Maple Grove always has a favorable a climate and weather conditions. I think that plays into our hands. I think over the summer races we were really trying to focus on getting the car to perform when the track was hotter. I think we started to get there, but I know we¹ve been pleased with how the car has performed under good conditions. It might be a blessing if we have that kind of a climate this weekend. I¹m real excited about it.² The Quaker State Racing team has qualified in the top half of the field in four-straight races, which is something Pedregon has taken notice of. ³Without a doubt, this team is coming together,² Pedregon continued. ³It¹s taken three quarters of a year or better, but the one thing we continue to learn as a new race team is that it¹s very competitive out there. We¹re up against teams that have 15 to 20 years of experience. We¹re doing this and accomplishing things in a short period of time, which is quite satisfying. I think we¹re to a point where things are really coming together. We had to go through the learning process, but were on schedule for where we wanted to be at this point in time. We have five races left, and for us, that¹s five opportunities to win a race. Quaker State Racing Notebook: THE HOME STRETCH: September always marks the home stretch of the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. With five races remaining, Tony Pedregon and the Quaker State Racing Monte Carlo racing team have a definite set of goals to accomplish. ³We feel real upbeat about the end of the season,² Pedregon said. ³We¹ve been putting a lot of time, effort and thought into what we can achieve. Our goal this year was not to just be in the top 10 in points, but find a way to the winner¹s circle. To be able to deliver that to Quaker State before the year¹s end would be quite an accomplishment for us. We wouldn¹t be happy with anything less. Right now, of the five races, we want to focus one winning just one and once we do that, we reset our goals. But for right now, that one victory is what we¹re after.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