Stevens motivated in Memphis
DON SCHUMACHER RACING 2005 NHRA POWERade DRAG RACING SERIES Round 17 of 23 O'REILLY NHRA MID-SOUTH NATIONALS MEMPHIS (Tenn.) MOTORSPORTS PARK Race Dates: Aug. 19-21, 2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Judy Stropus, 203-438-0501; cell, 203-243-2438; jstropus@earthlink.net STEVENS MOTIVATED IN MEMPHIS MEMPHIS, Tenn. (Aug. 19, 2005) - Richie Stevens Jr. is very motivated to earn his first win for Don Schumacher Racing and Memphis is as good a place as any at this weekend's O'Reilly NHRA Mid-South Nationals. The 90-plus-degree heat will be a factor as far as the tune-up on the Team Mopar/Valspar HEMI-powered Dodge Stratus R/T Pro Stock is concerned, but if there's any kind of "home track" advantage, New Orleans native Stevens just might have it. "Memphis has been a pretty good track to me," said Stevens who returned to Pro Stock competition this season with DSR after a two-year hiatus. "I went to a final here back in 1999, where I lost to Mike Edwards. "This is kind of like a second home track to me; here and Houston. A lot of fans and family come up from New Orleans for the race. "It's always a good track, especially when it's cooler. Hopefully that will be the case here with the night racing and qualifying this weekend. "Winning here before we go to the U.S. Nationals on Labor Day would be a great boost for Team Mopar," added Stevens, who has four career Pro Stock wins, but none yet this season. He has one runner-up finish and was top qualifier once. "Going some rounds here in Memphis, and of course winning, would feel really good. It would bring up the morale on the team and get everyone even more motivated. You can always use more motivation." SCHEDULE: On Friday, Aug. 19, professional qualifying sessions are at 4:30 and 7 p.m. On Saturday, Aug. 20, pro qualifying sessions continue at 3:30 and 6 p.m. On Sunday, Aug. 21, pre-race ceremonies are at 2 p.m., and final eliminations begin at 3 p.m. TELEVISION: On Saturday, Aug. 20, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at 8 p.m. (ET). On Sunday, Aug. 21, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise three hours of eliminations at 10 p.m. (ET). Also on Sunday, Aug. 21, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will broadcast NHRA 2Day, a 30-minute weekly news magazine show, at 11:30 a.m. (ET). RICHIE STEVENS JR. QUICK FACTS: * Ninth in 2005 Pro Stock points after 16 races, reached final round once, was No. 1 qualifier once * Joined Don Schumacher Racing after sending in a resume 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: 6.669 ET (Englishtown 2005) and 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 career wins in eight 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 ***