Cruz Pedregon Joliet Preview
Eighth annual NHRA Nationals Route 66 Raceway Joliet, Ill. Advance Auto Parts Nitro Funny Car - Pedregon Racing NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Cruz Pedregon In Points Battle JOLIET, Ill. (June 7, 2005) Former Funny Car champion, Cruz Pedregon, heads to Route 66 Raceway this weekend to compete in the eighth annual NHRA Nationals. The Advance Auto Parts Nitro Funny Car driver holds fourth place in NHRA Nitro Funny Car points with 539 after the last race in Topeka, Kan. For the veteran driver, to be in the top five, only comes to mind once the race weekend is over. ³I feel less pressure being in the lead,² Pedregon explained. ³It is a privilege to be able to race knowing that you are leading. We just want to keep the momentum going and I am confident my team will work hard to keep us up in points. But the points are not a factor at the beginning of a race, all I focus on is to do the best during every run.² Pedregon spent this past Tuesday testing in Joliet. ³We¹re very satisfied with how the testing went in Joliet this past week,² Pedregon said. ³The game plan was to get the car to respond to a different clutch set up. We need to increase the percentage of successful runs down the track particularly during qualifying. Wes Cerny crew chief- and the rest of the Advance Auto Parts team did a good job setting up the car for three passes and we gained valuable data. ³We like Chicago because it is a fast track. The facility is very nice looks like a stadium- and the asphalt is in good condition. This time of year the weather is generally cool and we plan on cutting loose and pedal in the gas. I¹d like to win and get back in track for the season.² 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 (704) 799-2114 office David Harris, Cox Marketing Group Account Manager davidh@coxmarketinggroup.com (704) 756-9301 - mobile (704) 799-2114 office Pedregon Racing Advance Auto Parts Nitro Funny Car/ ŒQ¹ Racing Nitro Funny Car (704) 799-2114 office