IHRA Pre Race: Harold Martin Looks to Close Career Year with
Rockingham Win
Team ACDelco
IHRA Pre-Race Fact Sheet
Harold Martin, Owner/Driver
ACDelco Pro Modified Pontiac Grand Am
Event: Ninth Annual Bethesda Softworks World Finals, the final event of
the 12-race,
2004 IHRA Hooters Drag Racing Series.
Location: Rockingham Dragway
Rockingham, NC
Dates: October 22-24, 2004
Harold Martin Looks to Close Career Year with Rockingham Win
The 2004 Hooters Drag Racing season has been one of unparalleled success
for ACDelco Pontiac Grand Am pilot Harold Martin. In addition to
scoring the first national event win of his Pro Modified career, he
established new personal marks for final round appearances and
elimination round wins in a single season, as well as new career bests
for elapsed time and top speed. Most importantly, Martin was a central
figure in the 2004 championship chase, leading the standings for a good
part of the season and remaining in contention until the most recent
event in Norwalk, Ohio.
However, even with these many accomplishments, Martin and his crew see
additional opportunities with one final race on the IHRA schedule, and
head to Rockingham Dragway, determined to improve on their runner-up
finish at this event from a year ago.
"We're pleased to have been able to hit many of the goals we set for
this year. We clearly have achieved new levels of success from the big
win in Edmonton, to the track records and the overall performance we
have delivered throughout the season.
"However, we have also had to overcome our share of obstacles. Most
recently, the cooler fall temperatures have challenged us to find the
right set-up for the conditions. We look forward to capitalizing on the
experience that we have now gained and marrying what we have learned to
the overall set-up we used for the balance of the season. We believe
that will produce a favorable outcome in the future.
"We know "The Rock" can be a very good racetrack. A year ago, it was
superb, and fit quite well with our set-up. We're anticipating that the
conditions could be very similar this year, and our ACDelco Pontiac
Grand Am has some great notes just for that type of environment, which,
coupled with our new level of performance, could make for a very special
opportunity.
"Every racer, including myself, would love to end the season on the
highest note possible. Clearly, we are going to Rockingham with those
intentions. We were inches away from a huge victory a year ago, so
we're coming back with the same energy and focus, looking to end the
season with a big win."
Harold Martin Fast Facts:
* Career best elapsed time: 6.183 seconds, Indianapolis, IN 9/04
* Career best top speed: 230.13 mph, Indianapolis, IN 9/04
* Won his first IHRA Pro Modified national event on July 4, 2004
at the Western RV Rocky Mountain Nationals in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
* Is currently third 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
* Scored first No. 1 qualifying position of his Pro Mod career at
the 2004 Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, Indianapolis, IN.
* 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:
Friday, October 22 - A single qualifying session at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 23 - Two qualifying sessions at 2:00 & 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 24 - Final eliminations begin at 11:00 a.m.
TV Schedule:
Saturday, December 18 - 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. - pee Channel
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