Tony Pedregon Elimination Wrap Up From Firebird

NHRA 2005 NOTES & QUOTES

21st Annual Checker Schuck¹s Kragen NHRA Nationals
Firebird International Raceway  Chandler, Ariz.
Q Racing Nitro Funny Car  - Pedregon Racing
NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series

Tony Pedregon Firebird Elimination Wrap Up

CHANDLER, Ariz. (Feb. 27, 2005)  Tony Pedregon and the Q Racing Monte Carlo
Nitro Funny Car had a tough opening round of competition during today¹s 21st
annual Checker Schuck¹s Kragen NHRA Nationals at Firebird International
Raceway.

Pedregon, who grabbed the No. 1 spot with a track record elapsed time of
4.703 seconds, was edged at the stripe by Gary Densham. The 2003 NHRA
POWERade Drag Racing Series Funny Car World Champion recorded a 4.987-second
elapsed time at 267.53 mph, barely losing to Densham¹s 4.922/271.08,
combination.

³In comparison to a lot of teams that are doing this, we have set the bar
pretty high,² said Pedregon, who has captured two-straight No. 1 qualifiers
to start the 2005 season. ³We have the type of performance that money can¹t
buy.

³It¹s still disappointing, but we¹re in a growing process with this team,²
Pedregon added. ³We¹re on the brink of knowing where we need to be on
Sunday. The conditions constantly change and we try to get a good read on
them. I think that¹s the biggest challenge we face right now.²

Pedregon is positive about the future.

³It¹s nothing that¹s discouraging because we came out of this race with more
information and we¹re a little smarter,² Pedregon noted. ³We also know where
we need to be with the tune up. Not too many cars can sit as No. 1 qualifier
for two races in a row. The potential is there for us, so we just need to
execute.²