Pro Stock rookie Carlson puts premium on qualifying in Phoenix

DON SCHUMACHER RACING
2006 NHRA POWERade DRAG RACING SERIES
Round 2 of 23
CHECKER SCHUCK'S KRAGEN NHRA NATIONALS
FIREBIRD INTL RACEWAY
CHANDLER, Ariz.
Race Date: Feb. 24-26, 2006

Contact: Judy Stropus, 203-438-0501; cell 203-243-2438;
jstropus@earthlink.net

ROOKIE SHAUN CARLSON PUTS PREMIUM ON QUALIFYING IN PHOENIX

CHANDLER, Ariz. (Feb. 22, 2006) - NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Pro Stock
rookie Shaun Carlson is fiercely focused on qualifying for the Checker
Schuck's Kragen NHRA Nationals at Firebird International Raceway this
weekend. 

Driving the Team Mopar/SRT Dodge Stratus R/T in his first season with Don
Schumacher Racing, the popular Sport Compact pilot failed to qualify for the
season-opening Winternationals two weeks ago in Pomona (Calif.). The Alta
Loma, Calif., resident, however, did gain valuable seat time and experience
working with veteran crew chief Bob Glidden.

Despite the upset, Carlson understands it is all about gaining valuable
experience in this hugely competitive class. "Between the testing runs at
Las Vegas and the four qualifying runs at Pomona, I am feeling more and more
comfortable in the car," he says. "Obviously, the more passes I get the
better I will be.

"I'm understanding more and more every day what Bob wants from me and the
Team Mopar/SRT Dodge, so I think that (understanding) and our four runs in
Pomona put us in a position to qualify in Phoenix."

The edgy, 31-year-old fan favorite is excited to get back into the car and
show that he belongs in the Pro Stock field. "I'm so excited and ready to
get back in the car and go. This is the most excited I've been about getting
into a race car in a while. The car and the power are there; now I just have
to get it in the field.

"I know Phoenix has the opportunity to be awesome for this team. Richie
(teammate Stevens Jr.) ran good in Pomona, and Bob has been back in
Indianapolis working on some new things. Once we get my car going and we
have all that data, it will only get better for all of us."

Carlson's in good company, as Richie Stevens Jr. qualified No. 1 at this
event last spring, and holds the Pro Stock speed record here at 205.35 mph.

SHAUN CARLSON QUICK FACTS:
* DNQ'd in season-opening event in Pomona
* Rookie season in Pro Stock class
* First year with Don Schumacher Racing
* Owned and drove his Team Mopar SRT4 in the NHRA Xplod Sport Compact Racing
Series in 2005, grabbing one win and finishing fourth in points.
* Finished fourth in 2004 Sport Compact points standings
* Is a two-time Sport Compact event winner
* Subbed for an injured Darrell Alderman in the 2004 NHRA Winternationals
Pro Stock event at Pomona, grabbing an early round win and nearly advancing
to the semifinals in his Pro Stock debut.
* Finished third in '03 Pro FWD points
* 2002 Xbox Cup champion in the Pro Outlaw class
* A famous engine builder and FWD performance guru, Carlson has worked on
projects such as the world record-holding import drag car driven by Stephan
Papadakis. 
* First FWD builder to run in the 9s and 8s.
* Built the first Sport Compact drag car with a tube chassis
* Has been drag racing professionally since 1999
* President and founder of NuFormz, an 11-year-old company that builds
aftermarket components in Ontario, Calif.


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