Cruz Pedregon Las Vegas pre-race press release
Sixth Annual NHRA Nationals The Strip At Las Vegas Motor Speedway Las Vegas, Nevada Advance Auto Parts Nitro Funny Car - Pedregon Racing NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Cruz Pedregon Ready to Roll the Dice A Confident Pedregon Heads to Las Vegas Las Vegas, Nev. (April 13, 2005) Cruz Pedregon and the Advance Auto Parts Monte Carlo Nitro Funny Car will head towards Las Vegas this weekend to compete in the sixth annual NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Las Vegas has not dealt Pedregon a lucky hand so far, but after last weekendıs power show in Houston, it could be Pedregonıs turn go for the victory at Las Vegas. ³Weıre really looking forward to Las Vegas. Itıs another opportunity to show what this great team is made of,² said Pedregon. ³This time of year itıs not real warm (for Las Vegas), so thereıs a lot of opportunity to do well there. Not only is it a great track to race on, itıs one of the best all-around facilities we visit each year.² While Las Vegas provides a smooth track surface, the elevation is 2,100 feet above sea level, which often creates challenges for the teams. This weekendıs predicted high temperatures of 85°F will also make qualifying of utmost importance gathering valuable information for Sundayıs elimination round. ³Our biggest priority for the weekend is to make each qualifying session count,² commented Pedregon. ³Wes (Cerny) and I agree that we need to qualify in the top half of the field. It is not indispensable to do so to win a race, but it gives you an advantage. We are anticipating a fast track and look to make some solid, consistent passes.² Pedregon reached his first final of the 2005 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series season for last Sundayıs eliminations during the Spring Nationals at Houston Raceway Park. The 1992 NHRA Funny Car champion made consistent passes all day long but missed victory circle in a close final with Robert Hight. Cruz Pedregon's big day in the Advance Auto Parts Nitro Funny Car placed him fifth in points, only one out of fourth. 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 <http://www.advanceautoparts.com/> . -PedregonRacing.com- Public Relations Contact: Alti Perea, Cox Marketing Group Media Relations Representative alti@coxmarketinggroup.com (704) 779-3648 - mobile David Harris, Cox Marketing Group Account Manager davidh@coxmarketinggroup.com (704) 756-9301 - mobile Pedregon Racing Advance Auto Parts Nitro Funny Car ŒQı Racing Nitro Funny Car (704) 799-2114 office