Cruz Pedregon Opens Weekend In Sixth

24th Annual NHRA Nationals
Brainerd International Raceway– Brainerd, Minn.
Advance Auto Parts Nitro Funny Car - Pedregon Racing
NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series

Cruz Pedregon Drives to Sixth After First Day
Advance Auto Parts Driver Places in Top Half of Field

BRAINERD, Minn. (August 12, 2005) - Cruz Pedregon and the Advance Auto Parts
Nitro Funny Car drove to the sixth position during todayıs second round of
qualifying for the NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway.

Pedregon clocked a 4.824-second elapsed time lap at 322.19 mph in his second
Pass, securing his post into the top half of the field. The Advance Auto
Parts driver will stay on track for Saturday.

³This was a good day for the Advance Auto Parts team,² Pedregon said.  ³We
accomplished the goal of having two complete runs. The car  ran very well
and delivered solid
passes with good elapsed times and speeds.

³Itıs important for us to qualify in the top half of the field,² Pedregon
added. ³Any advantage we can
take on race day is important. Weıre going to be aggressive tomorrow and see
if
we can move up.²