Stevens Jr. hopes a consistent car will help him win again in Seattle
DON SCHUMACHER RACING 2006 NHRA POWERade DRAG RACING SERIES Round 14 of 23 SCHUCK'S AUTO SUPPLY NHRA NATIONALS Pacific Raceways Kent, Wash. Race Date: July 21, 23, 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Judy Stropus, 203-438-0501; cell 203-243-2438; jstropus@earthlink.net STEVENS JR. HOPES A CONSISTENT CAR WILL HELP HIM WIN AGAIN IN SEATTLE KENT, Wash. (July 19, 2006) - Richie Stevens, driver of the Team Mopar/Valspar Dodge Stratus R/T, enters this weekend's Schuck's Auto Supply NHRA Nationals at Pacific Raceways with a very consistent race car. He has advanced to the Pro Stock quarterfinal round in each of the past four NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series events (Joliet, Ill., Englishtown, N.J., St. Louis, and Denver), which has him looking for his second career win in Seattle. His last Pro Stock win here was in 2000 (his third career victory at the time), and Stevens can see similarities between that event and this weekend's. "I wasn't necessarily the quickest car in that race (No. 5 qualifier), but we were the most consistent," recalls the 27-year old New Orleans native. "We got down the track when it was hot (in 2000), and if we can keep that same deal going, we can go some rounds this Sunday." Temperatures are expected to climb to nearly 100 degrees for this weekend's event, and Stevens does not mind. "On these hot tracks, if you can make consistent runs and do your job on the starting line, then the win light will come on. We were one of the better cars in Denver (where temperatures peaked at 104 degrees), so it might work out for us better if it is hot here too," he said. "David (Nickens, crew chief/engine builder) and Terry (Adams, co-crew chief) did a hell of a job in Denver getting the car ready for race day. We were fifth quickest in the final qualifying session there, and I think we'll be quick right off the trailer here. "It's getting to the point where I believe I have a car that can win every weekend, and hopefully this will be the weekend," says Stevens. "Don (Schumacher, team owner) has won an event in every other class this year (Pro Stock Motorcycle, Funny Car, and Top Fuel), and it's time we get him a win in Pro Stock." RICHIE STEVENS JR. QUICK FACTS: * Twelfth in 2006 NHRA Pro Stock standings after 13 events, only 10 points short of 10th (and 17 out of ninth) * Qualified No. 6 (6.691) at 2005 Seattle event, lost first round to Bob Panella Jr. * Semifinalist in King Demon Crown at Chicago 2006 * 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 * Qualified No. 1 in Chicago, his first pole position of 2006, third of career * 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: 6.635 ET at 207.40 mph (Chicago 2006) * 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, three 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 WEEKEND SCHEDULE: FRIDAY, July 21, PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS are at 3:30 and 6 p.m. SATURDAY, July 22, PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS are at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. SUNDAY, July 23, Pre-race ceremonies are at 10 a.m. FINAL ELIMINATIONS begin at 11 a.m. TELEVISION: Saturday, July 22, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at 8 p.m. (ET). Sunday, July 23, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise three hours of eliminations at 8 p.m. (ET). Sunday, July 23, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise NHRA 2Day, a 30-minute magazine show at 11:30 a.m. (ET). SATELLITE: Friday, July 21, 11-11:30 p.m. (ET) Galaxy 10R / Transponder 24k (Downlink frequency: 12184 MHz, horizontal) Saturday, July 22, 10:30-11 p.m. (ET) Galaxy 10R / Transponder 24k (Downlink frequency: 12184 MHz, horizontal) Sunday, July 23, 11:30 p.m.-Midnight (ET) Galaxy 10R / Transponder 24k (Downlink frequency: 12184 MHz, horizontal) ***