Stevens has momentum heading to Atlanta
DON SCHUMACHER RACING 2005 NHRA POWERade DRAG RACING SERIES Round 7 of 23 NHRA SOUTHERN NATIONALS ATLANTA DRAGWAY COMMERCE, GA. Race dates: May 13-15, 2005 COMMERCE, Ga. (May 11, 2005) - Richie Stevens Jr. has momentum on his side as he and the Team Mopar/Valspar HEMI-powered Dodge Stratus Pro Stock team, led by legendary Bob Glidden, head to the NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway for the seventh round of the 2005 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series this weekend. Fresh from a runner-up finish at Bristol Dragway two weekends ago, where he enjoyed lane choice throughout race day in a new Jerry Haas-built Dodge, Stevens is over the fact that he fouled out in the final against Warren Johnson and is ready to roll. He'd like the opportunity to face the Pro Stock veteran again at WJ's home track and where Stevens was also runner-up to him in 1999. "That would be nice, to have a rematch at his home track," said Stevens, a New Orleans native who joined Don Schumacher Racing this season after a two-year hiatus to take care of family business while dad Richie Sr. underwent successful open-heart surgery. "I'm feeling good. We did good in Bristol, we had a real good showing there and that boosts up the momentum of the team a little bit. I've had nothing but positive phone calls this past week congratulating me on how good we did. "It also feels good to have gone some rounds," he said after winning just two rounds in the first five races. "It would have been nice to win, but hopefully we can turn that runner-up into a win in Atlanta. We have good power now, we have a really good car that seems to be working pretty well, so we have everything lined up. We just have to take home the pot of gold. "I think everybody on the team is pretty happy. That gave (crew chief) Glidden some momentum. Not that he didn't have it already, because Bob's got plenty of momentum as far as finding the power for us. He went back to the shop and found us some more. Hopefully we can use it in Atlanta and get in the top half of the field and be good for Sunday." SCHEDULE: On Friday, May 13, professional qualifying sessions are scheduled for 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. On Saturday, May 14, pro qualifying sessions continue at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. On Sunday, May 15, pre-race ceremonies are at 10 a.m. Final eliminations begin at 11 a.m. TELEVISION: On Saturday, May 14, ESPN2 will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at 7 p.m. (ET). On Sunday May 15, ESPN2 will broadcast NHRA 2Day, a 30-minute weekly news magazine show, at 11:30 a.m. (ET). Also on Sunday, May 15, ESPN2 will televise three hours of final eliminations at 7 p.m. (ET). RICHIE STEVENS JR. QUICK FACTS: * Eighth in Pro Stock points after six 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