Stevens Jr. has list of goals for Columbus
DON SCHUMACHER RACING 2006 NHRA POWERade DRAG RACING SERIES Round 8 of 23 Pontiac Performance NHRA Nationals National Trail Raceway Columbus, Ohio Race Date: May 19-21, 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Judy Stropus, 203-438-0501; cell 203-243-2438; jstropus@earthlink.net STEVENS JR. HAS LIST OF GOALS HEADING INTO COLUMBUS HEBRON, Ohio (May 16, 2006) - Don Schumacher Racing Pro Stock pilot Richie Stevens Jr. is eager to get back in the groove this weekend at National Trail Raceway, round 8 of the 23-event NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. The 27-year-old New Orleans native has a list of goals, starting with a solid qualifying effort, going rounds, and ultimately placing the Team Mopar/Valspar Dodge Stratus R/T back in the top 10 in rankings. "We need to get this car back to qualifying in the top half," said Stevens, who has only missed earning a place in the top half of the field twice in seven events this season so far and is 12th in points. "I hope we can go some rounds on Sunday, and, if we do that and get some breaks, then maybe we can put this Stratus back in the top 10. That would give us some momentum heading into Topeka (Kan., on Memorial Day weekend), then ultimately to Chicago where we have the King Demon Crown shootout for the Pro Stock class on June 10." Stevens has a strong record at National Trail, having reached the semifinals here in 1999 and 2000, as well as earning a No. 7 qualifying spot in '05. "It's a tricky track, always has been. I had some good luck here, and I always seem to qualify well here. "I'd like to take it a couple steps further this year and bring home a win. That would do so much for our team right now," he offered. This weekend will be Stevens' first time working with new assistant crew chief (to crew chief David Nickens) Terry Adams, named to the team today by Don Schumacher. "Terry's got a lot of knowledge, and he's been around the sport for over 20 years," added Stevens. "I think he will definitely be an asset to the team." RICHIE STEVENS JR. QUICK FACTS: * Twelfth in 2006 Pro Stock standings after seven events * At 2005 National Trail Raceway event he qualified No. 7, lost second round to Kurt Johnson. * Reached the semifinals twice here, 1999 and '00. * Joined Don Schumacher Racing after sending in a resume for 2005 season * Eighth in 2005 Pro Stock points, reached final round twice, was No. 1 qualifier once * 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 (Sept. 27, 1978) * 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 and one month, in 1998 * Has four career wins in nine 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 SCHEDULE: Professional qualifying sessions are scheduled for 4:30 and 7 p.m. on May 19, and noon and 2:30 p.m. on May 20. Pre-race ceremonies will begin at 10 a.m. on May 21, followed by the first session of professional eliminations at 11 a.m. ON TV: ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying at 10 p.m. (ET) on May 20. ESPN2 will telecast NHRA 2Day, a 30-minute weekly news magazine show, at 11:30 a.m. (ET) and televise three hours of eliminations at 8 p.m. (ET) on May 21. ***