Richie Stevens out in opening round in 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
RICHIE STEVENS OUT IN OPENING ROUND IN ATLANTA
COMMERCE, Ga. (May 15, 2005) - Following a four-hour rain delay today, which
included track drying and preparation, eliminations began at 3:05 p.m. for
the NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway.
Lane choice for the Pro Stock class was a gamble, in particular for the
first pair out after Top Fuel and Funny Cars completed their runs. Richie
Stevens was in that pairing in the Team Mopar/Valspar HEMI-powered Dodge
Stratus Pro Stock versus Larry Morgan.
Stevens had earned lane choice by qualifying No. 8 and selected the right
lane. That choice may have bit him, as he had a tough time getting the car
hooked up to the finish, losing to Morgan's 6.796/202.76 with a 6.853/201.49
pass. The margin of victory was .1101 of a second.
"Every time I pulled the gears, it broke loose and started shaking," said
Stevens. "In second gear, third, fourth and even in high gear. As soon as I
pulled fifth gear it broke loose.
"We made four good runs in qualifying and never had a problem. I'm not going
to put the full blame on the lanes, but Rickie Smith was right behind us in
that lane and he said his car did the same thing, pretty much. He just
lifted. I stayed in it, like a fool, I guess, but I made it down the track,
and Rickie didn't (7.892/128.76).
"Being the first pair down isn't always the best deal, and it definitely
wasn't our day today."
Stevens remains in eighth place in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Pro
Stock point standings, with 330 points.