Stevens runs strong in Memphis heat, qualifies No. 7

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 RUNS STRONG IN MEMPHIS HEAT, LOOKS TO EVEN SCORE WITH TEAMMATE IN
MEMPHIS

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (Aug. 20, 2005) - Temperatures have been exceeding 100
degrees in Memphis, but the heat is not affecting the performance of New
Orleans native Richie Stevens Jr. and the Bob Glidden-led Team Mopar/Valspar
HEMI-powered Dodge Stratus R/T Pro Stock team, as it made four solid
qualifying efforts to qualify No. 7 for Sunday's O'Reilly Mid-South
Nationals at Memphis Motorsports Park.

Stevens posted his quickest elapsed time in the final round of qualifying
today, a 6.820-second pass at 202.30 mph, which followed a 6.860/201.22, a
6.822/201.04 and a 6.856/200.95 (in today's first session).

Today's 6.856-second lap in the heat of the day was the fifth quickest of
the round, giving the team a boost of confidence, as track conditions at
that time should mirror those expected on Sunday. "The first round was a
good gauge for tomorrow," said Stevens. "We made a really good run.

"I'm real happy with the way the Team Mopar/Valspar Dodge is running. We had
good speed the last round. I'm pleased. We have a lot of good data. If the
track and temperature are the same tomorrow, we should be in the ballpark."

For the fourth time this season in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series,
Stevens faces teammate and No. 10 qualifier Jeg Coughlin Jr. in first round
of eliminations. "Unfortunately, I have to run my teammate. I have lane
choice by a few thousandths (of a second)," Stevens said. "Hopefully it'll
be a good race and it'll be my turn. He got me the last time we matched up,"
said Stevens, who has a 1-2 round win-loss record against Coughlin.

"We need to even it out and we need to gain some points, go some rounds.
It's unfortunate we have to face each other first round, but hopefully we
will move on to the second round."

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