Gremlins and New Orleans visit aside, Stevens set for Chicago
DON SCHUMACHER RACING 2005 NHRA POWERade DRAG RACING SERIES Round 20 of 23 Ameriquest Mortgage NHRA Nationals Route 66 Raceway Joliet, Ill. Race Dates: Sept. 30-Oct. 2, 2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Judy Stropus, 203-438-0501; cell 203-243-2438; jstropus@earthlink.net GREMLINS AND NEW ORLEANS VISIT DEALT WITH, STEVENS SET FOR CHICAGO JOLIET, Ill. (Sept. 30, 2005) - Richie Stevens Jr. is looking forward to getting back on the quarter-mile at this weekend's Ameriquest Mortgage NHRA Nationals at Route 66 Raceway, following a visit to what remains of his home and business in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Stevens made a short trip to New Orleans this week after the Dallas NHRA event was postponed and you may read his account in his blog on www.nhra.com. The New Orleans native is eager to get back on the quarter-mile this weekend after crew chief Bob Glidden surveyed the damage incurred to one of the engines on the Team Mopar/Valspar HEMI-powered Dodge Stratus Pro Stock at the previous race in Reading, Pa. "I think we should be good," said Stevens. "Bob took some notes from the engine that we hurt in Reading. "He saw something he obviously didn't like that probably broke in the last qualifying session (before the first-round loss). He's going to change some things around, and we're hoping that that might pick us up a little bit in the horsepower department. "As far as making runs down the track, I think we have a consistent car. The clutch had been throwing us off in the middle of the season, and I think we got a handle on it with the test sessions that we had when Bob actually got to drive the car. That might help out a little bit too. "I think that we're capitalizing on that end and, hopefully, once we get things changed around on the other side, that will help us pick up a little bit in performance. "We'd like to close out the season by finishing in the top 10. If we can just go some rounds in these last four races, that will definitely help us out." Stevens is eighth in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Pro Stock points championship and could easily move into sixth place with a strong showing this weekend. SCHEDULE: On Friday, Sept. 30, professional qualifying sessions are at 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. On Saturday, Oct. 1, pro qualifying continues at 12:15 and 3 p.m. On Sunday, Oct. 2, pre-race ceremonies are at 10 a.m., final eliminations begin at 11 a.m. TELEVISION: On Saturday, Oct. 1, ESPN2 will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at 5 p.m. (ET). On Sunday, Oct. 2, ESPN2 will telecast NHRA 2Day, a 30-minute weekly news magazine show, at 11:30 a.m. (ET). On Sunday, Oct. 2, ESPN2 will televise three hours of eliminations at 8 p.m. (ET). RICHIE STEVENS JR. QUICK FACTS: * Eighth in 2005 Pro Stock points after 19 races, reached final round twice, 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 27 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 **