REMINDER: NHRA PRESEASON TELECONFERENCE TODAY
Subject: NHRA PRESEASON TELECONFERENCE *Â * Â *Â Â M E D I AÂ Â A D V I S O R YÂ Â * Â *Â * MEDIA ARE INVITED TO JOIN A TELECONFERENCE FEATURING Â 2005 POWERADE SERIES WORLD CHAMPIONS GARY SCELZI AND TONY SCHUMACHER WHAT: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â A teleconference featuring 2005 POWERade Series world champions Gary Scelzi and Tony Schumacher, who will be introduced and field questions about winning in 2005 and the challenges that lie ahead in their quests to defend their titles in 2006. WHEN:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Wednesday, February 1, 2006, beginning at 4 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. CT / 1 p.m. PT and lasting approximately 30 minutes. TO JOIN:Â Â Â Â Â Â Media can join the teleconference by calling 1-800-793-6775 and then entering 8964 7712. Once signed in you will be instructed to hit *1 on your phone pad to ask a question. You will be put in a queue and must wait to be introduced before asking your question. NOTE TO MEDIA: Please phone 5-10 minutes prior to the beginning of the teleconference so we can sign you in. WHO:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â â—??? GARY SCELZI, MOPAR/OAKLEY DODGE FUNNY CAR: By surviving the dramatic Funny Car world championship chase with Ron Capps and John Force, Scelzi joined Kenny Bernstein as just the second driver in NHRA history to win POWERade Series world championships in both Top Fuel and Funny Car. Scelzi won Top Fuel championships in 1997, 1998 and 2000. As frenetic as the 2005 race for the world championship was, it figures to be even more hectic in 2006 as the already-stacked Funny Car class gets even deeper with the addition of two-time world champion Scott Kalitta (from Top Fuel) and the renewed sense of focus and urgency from 13-time world champion Force. Scelzi and Force have joined the ranks of the modern-day athletes and committed themselves to rigorous offseason training regimens to prepare their bodies as optimally as possible for the upcoming season. â—??? TONY SCHUMACHER, U.S. ARMY DRAGSTER: Schumacher enters the 2006 season looking to extend three NHRA-record streaks: He finished the 2005 season with five consecutive national event wins, seven consecutive final rounds and 20 consecutive elimination-round wins. Schumacher, who has won back-to-back POWERade Series world championships and three overall (1999, 2004, 2005), is also tracking down the NHRA record for consecutive championships in Top Fuel (3, by Joe Amato, from 1990-92). CONTACT:Â Â Â Michael Padian at (626) 250-2217, (626) 278-0312 (cell); Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â -30- *Â NOT FOR PUBLICATION, MEDIA INFORMATION ONLYÂ *