Cruz Pedregon Poised For Productive 2005 Season

 NHRA 2005 NOTES & QUOTES

45th Annual K&N Filters NHRA Winternationals
Pomona Raceway  Pomona, California
Advance Auto Parts Nitro Funny Car  - Pedregon Racing
NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series
 
Cruz Pedregon Poised for Productive 2005 Season
NHRA Opens 2005 Season at Famed Pomona Raceway
 
POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 9, 2005)  A new season always brings new expectations.
It¹s no different with Cruz Pedregon and the Advance Auto Parts Monte Carlo
Nitro Funny Car, but this time it may be a little different as the NHRA
POWERade Drag Racing Series opens the 2005 season with the traditional K&N
Filters Winternationals at Pomona Raceway.

Pedregon has completed a very successful offseason testing campaign, one
that has seen the Advance Auto Parts Nitro Funny Car at or near the top of
every elapsed time or speed chart. With confidence brimming, Pedregon can¹t
wait to kick off qualifying on Thursday afternoon.

 ³I can¹t remember a time when I have been this excited to get the season
started,² Pedregon said. ³I have to go way back to my days with Joe Gibbs
Racing, when I won my championship (back in 1992) and won a lot of races. We
completed a lot of testing and I think our guys are ready to have a great
season.

 ³One of the main reasons I¹m so confident going into this season is the
people surrounding me,² Pedregon continued. ³This team  led by crew chief
Wes Cerny  is outstanding. You¹re only as good as the people on your team
and I feel we have the best group of guys out here. Not to mention the fact
Wes has had a year under his belt and we have a high level of comfort
between us. We have kept a lot of the team members from last year in place
and they are encouraged by what we¹ve done this offseason.²

 Pedregon didn¹t need much encouragement last season either, recording four
final round appearances and a near miss at a fourth U.S. Nationals title
last August. According to Pedregon, his team has received a lot of support.

 ³I can¹t thank all of our sponsors enough  Advance Auto Parts, Quaker
State, etcŠ² Pedregon said. ³They have given us a budget that has allowed us
to do the things we need to be competitive. We have built a new car and have
replaced or freshened most of our equipment. It¹s a good feeling to know we
come into this season with a lot of confidence.

 ³We have a car to watch out for in 2005,² Pedregon continued. ³We¹ll be
able to take that next step and win a few races. In fact, we had a chance to
win four races last season. I also think we¹ll be definite players for the
championship as well. It¹s a good feeling to be in this position.²

 Advance Auto Parts, Inc. is based in Roanoke, Va., and is the second
largest auto parts chain in the nation. With over 2600 stores in 39 states,
Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, the company serves both the
do-it-yourself and professional installer markets. Additional information
about the company, employment opportunities, services, as well as on-line
purchase of parts and accessories can be found on the company's web site at
www.advanceautoparts.com.

Pomona Raceway Breakdown:

 Cruz Pedregon On PomonaŠ

 The NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series opens the 2005 season with the
traditional K&N Filters Winternationals at the famed Pomona Raceway.

Pedregon, from nearby Camarillo, Calif., has one victory at Pomona Raceway,
defeating Chuck Etchells in the final of the 1995 Winternationals. He has
also made two additional final-round appearances (Pomona 2 in 1994 & 1995)
and recorded four No. 1 qualifiers (Pomona 2 in 1998; Pomona 1 in 1993, 1994
& 1996).

The 1992 NHRA POWERade Funny Car World Champ broke down Pomona Raceway and
his thoughts on this year¹s Winternationals.

³Pomona is a straight out, fast race track,² Pedregon said. ³Over the years,
NHRA has reworked the surface to where its very smooth and great to drive
on. If there has ever been a track weakness, it would have to be the
starting line. But I think the NHRA has addressed that as well, putting in
fresh concrete, which should help out a lot.

 ³As for the weather, the Winternationals are traditionally cooler, which
means quick times should be expected,² Pedregon said. ³I think this team
will be prepared for any conditions. It¹s something we built and improved
upon last season. We have two strategies and both will work. I know if we
need a deep ball, to put it into NFL terminology  we can go out and run a
low 4.70. But we also have a car that can perform in the heat, when we need
to run it up the middle and grind out a few yards.²

 Pedregon feels the NHRA has really stepped up the racing¹s quality, ³NHRA
has done a great job in addressing some of the track issues we¹ve had in
years past. It used to be lane choice was critical. I don¹t think that¹s
much of a factor any more, unless it¹s psychological. At almost every race
now, you have side-by-side racing, which is a win-win for everyone 
especially the fans.²

 What does Pomona mean to Cruz?

 ³Pomona is home. It¹s always been my home track being born and raised in
this area, but it¹s also the home of drag racing. Pomona is to the NHRA what
Charlotte (N.C.) is to NASCAR.²

 Advance Auto Parts Notebook:

 Final TestingŠ

 The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway was the site of the final testing
session prior to this weekend¹s running of the 45th annual K&N Filters
Winternationals at Pomona Raceway. Pedregon was pleased with the results,
which was highlighted by a 4.76-second run. The run was quickest of the
weekend in Funny Car, even though it was a planned shut off pass.

 ³Everything went well,² Pedregon said. ³Not only did we run well in
Phoenix, but we were able to back it up with a great weekend in Las Vegas.
In fact, we tested two days, made a few final runs to get everything in
order, then enjoyed Super Bowl Sunday. We¹re on cloud nine right now and
ready for the season to begin in Pomona.²