IHRA Harold Martin Pre Race: Three-Year Progression has
Harold Martin Poised to Win in Milan
Event: IHRA Suzuki Motor City Nationals presented by GM Performance
Division
Location: Milan Dragway
Milan, Michigan
Dates: July 7-9, 2006
Three-Year Progression has Harold Martin Poised to Win in Milan
This weekend, the eMax Drag Racing Series will head to Milan, Michigan
for the running of the Suzuki Motor City Nationals presented by the GM
Performance Division. Although this event is one of the most recent
additions to the schedule, having joined the IHRA tour in 2003, it is
already a favorite of Harold Martin and his ACDelco Pro Modified Pontiac
Racing team, as evidenced by their on-track performance.
In the three previous races at venerable Milan Dragway, Martin and crew
have represented themselves well. After qualifying 13th and advancing
to the quarterfinals in the inaugural event, they have shown improvement
in each successive year, capped by a No. 1 qualifying performance and
runner-up showing one year ago. Naturally, this progression would lead
to a trip to the winner's circle in 2006, a result that would certainly
thrill the Michigan-based team.
"There is always that perceived advantage when you race at your home
track," said Martin. "Personally, that edge encompasses several
aspects. Naturally, it involves knowing the intricacies of the
racetrack's design and where it's good or bad, allowing you to better
strategize than you would be able to on an unknown surface. However,
there is also something to be said for knowing the short cut into the
racetrack, helping you to get around the traffic jams. It ends up
taking your mindset and relaxing you much more than you do at other
unfamiliar locations.
"Psychologically, you would think racing at home would be worse, due to
the many added distractions. For example, between myself and my father
we have a history of a huge following in Milan of decades of folks that
we will see and shake hands with. Historically, this would cause you to
lose focus and not do as well as you would like. However, to the credit
of our entire ACDelco Pontiac Racing team, we have shown that our job
comes first and don't allow anything to get in our way, keeping our
concentration and stayed committed to winning.
"Consequently, we have able to produce tremendous results at Milan
Dragway. Hopefully, we will be able to leverage that familiarity and
capitalize with what would be a tremendous win this weekend."
Mathematical equations not withstanding, as dedicated racers, the "EFI
Wizard" and his Martin Motorsports crew know that success this weekend
will depend on how well they adapt to the racing surface. Fortunately,
Milan Dragway is located a short drive from the team's headquarters in
New Hudson, and is the one track on the IHRA circuit with which they are
most familiar.
In addition, as their 'home track", the red, white and blue crew will
receive tremendous support from the fans, which will include many
friends and family members. His pre-race confidence bolstered by the
combination of familiarity with the race track, a record of previous
successes and a supportive crowd, this weekend Martin hopes to deliver
what promises to be a very popular victory.
"We reflect on last year, and the feelings that we had being the No. 1
qualifier, making it to the final and setting the track record in
Milan," recalled Martin. "It was simply tremendous. Clearly there was
only one thing that we left on the table, and that was the race win.
Being the runner-up was a good finish, but nothing would have been
better than to have the victory in our hands. That is in the forefront
of the entire ACDelco Pontiac Racing team's memories and our goals for
this year, getting back to where we left off and see if we can sustain
the effort and climb that final step."
Notes on Harold Martin and the ACDelco Pontiac Racing Team entering
the Suzuki Motor City Nationals presented by GM Performance Division:
Martin Has Motored in Milan: In this event's first three years, Harold
has one No. 1 qualifying position, two starts in the top four, and a
semi-final finish to go with his runner-up performance from a year ago.
One Year Ago - Strong Start, Close Finish: Harold earned the first No.
1 qualifying position of his IHRA Pro Modified career with a
6.197-second, 224.32 mph pass, and followed that up by posting a
runner-up finish in final eliminations
Event Schedule:
Qualifying:
Friday, July 7: One
round at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, July 8: Two rounds
at 3:00 & 7:30 p.m.
Final Eliminations:
Sunday, July 9: First
round of eliminations at 11:00 a.m.
Pre-race ceremonies start at 12:15 p.m.
Quarter-finals at 12:30 p.m.
Semi-finals at 2:30 p.m.
Championship round at 4:30 p.m.
Television Schedule:
Saturday, July 29: 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
(pee Channel)
