Stevens tests new car for Bristol
DON SCHUMACHER RACING 2005 NHRA POWERade DRAG RACING SERIES Round 6 of 23 O'REILLY THUNDER VALLEY NHRA NATIONALS BRISTOL (Tenn.) DRAGWAY Race Dates: April 29-May 1, 2005 BRISTOL, Tenn. (April 27, 2005) - Richie Stevens Jr. has never been more motivated to win an NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Pro Stock race for Don Schumacher Racing than he is right now, following a successful test of a new Jerry Haas-built Dodge Stratus at Bristol Dragway last week. Taking advantage of an organized test session to try out the new Team Mopar HEMI-powered Dodge, Stevens and crew chief Bob Glidden are encouraged by the results and eager to take to the quarter-mile at the O'Reilly Thunder Valley NHRA Nationals this weekend at the same track. "We're very pleased with the test," says the New Orleans native. "We were quicker than anybody. I hope the new chassis will do as well in the race as it did in testing. "We collected some data that will help us out this weekend," adds Stevens, new to Don Schumacher Racing after a two-year hiatus from the class in order to take care of the family business while his father Richie Sr. underwent successful heart surgery. "That should put us a step ahead of some of the other teams that weren't there testing. We made some really good runs down the track." The new Haas-built Dodge joins the Rick Jones-built Dodge that Stevens has driven all year in the DSR stable and is similar to teammate Jeg Coughlin's Jeg's Mail Order entry. "It's pretty smooth," says Stevens. "I'm not saying the other car isn't smooth, but this is a brand-new car. To get one that's right out of the box, right out of the shop, that can run and perform as well as this one has is not really unheard of, but it doesn't happen too often." "We made 13 runs on the car back-to-back-to-back and every one was straight down the track and it put up some good numbers on the board (a 4.78-second pass was the best of the test). It's showing to be a good car early on and that's without even working with it yet. "I think it will be a good car in the long run and hopefully it will boost our numbers up a little bit and get us a better qualifying spot for Sunday. "The weather wasn't hot, hot; it was in the mid-70s. That's probably what it's going to be for the race. The track was in fair condition. It wasn't in great condition. The surface was good, but it wasn't under the racing conditions like it normally would be." For the 26-year-old Stevens, who earned IHRA Rookie of the Year honors in 1996 at age 18, Bristol Dragway holds fond memories. "Bristol has always been a good track for me," he says. "It's a real sentimental track because it's where I got my first win back in 1996 in IHRA, and that's the first time I had ever won a race. "It's definitely got some history for me. It's always been one of my favorite tracks." Glidden, the 10-time Pro Stock champion and crew chief on both Don Schumacher Racing Pro Stock cars, has been working hard this season to elevate both cars' performances and is looking forward to this weekend's race. "Richie is comfortable in it, and the new car worked just great every run and all we need is some dry weather and some good luck and we can win a race," he says. Stevens qualified No. 1 in Phoenix, the second of five races so far this year, but has qualified in the bottom half of the 16-car field in the other four events. He is 13th in Pro Stock standings, just 26 points out of 10th place. SCHEDULE: On Friday, April 29, professional qualifying sessions are scheduled for 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, April 30 -- pro qualifying sessions are at noon and 3 p.m. On Sunday, May 1, Pre-race ceremonies begin at 11 a.m. Final eliminations begin at noon. TELEVISION: On Saturday, April 30, ESPN2 will televise 2 hours of qualifying highlights at 7 p.m. (ET). On Sunday May 1, ESPN2 will broadcast NHRA 2Day, a 30-minute weekly news magazine show, at 11:30 a.m. (ET). On Sunday, May 1, ESPN2 will televise three hours of final round eliminations at 7 p.m. (ET). RICHIE STEVENS JR. QUICK FACTS: * 13th in Pro Stock points after five races * Joined Don Schumacher Racing after sending in an application for 2005 season * Cut short driving career in 2002 to run family business while dad Richie Sr. underwent open-heart surgery * With dad Richie Stevens Sr. owns Stevens Collision Center in New Orleans * Born and raised in New Orleans, is 26 years old * His career-best ET and speed so far: 6.696 ET at 207.08 mph in Gainesville, Fla., 2005 * Has longtime relationship with associate sponsor Valspar * Capped off rookie season in 1998 with a victory in his first final-round appearance (Pomona 2) * Is youngest Pro Stock driver to win a national event, at 20-one month, in 1998 * Has four wins in seven final rounds, two No. 1 qualifiers to his credit * In 1999 he became the eighth member of the Speed Pro 200-mph Pro Stock Club with a 200.08 mph run in Richmond, Va. * Competed in Roy Hill's Pro Mod car in 2004, with a semifinal finish at the U.S. Nationals his best result