Stevens will start eliminations from top half 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 WILL START FROM TOP HALF IN SEATTLE

KENT, Wash. (July 22, 2006) - Richie Stevens Jr., will start the Schuck's
Auto Supply NHRA Nationals Pro Stock competition from the No. 8 position on
Sunday, marking the seventh time in 14 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series
events that the Team Mopar/Valspar Dodge Stratus R/T driver has entered the
16-car eliminations from the top half of the field.

His best qualifying effort was a Saturday morning pass of 6.722-seconds at
205.41 mph. His other runs resulted in a 6.793/204.14, a 6.761/204.60, and a
final 6.792/204.08.

Stevens wants a quick first-round win on Sunday to keep up his current
streak of consistent finishes (quarterfinals in Joliet, Ill., Englishtown,
N.J., St. Louis and Denver). ""We've had some pretty good runs lately, and I
feel confident about how things are going for tomorrow," said the
27-year-old New Orleans native.

"I think we picked a good race to be in the top half, because I think lane
choice will be a factor tomorrow. That right lane is definitely smoother
than the left, so we'll try to take advantage of that," he offered.

"If we can go some rounds tomorrow, then we'll get back in the top 10 (in
point standings) and we'll head to Sonoma (Calif. - next event next weekend)
on a good note. We have really focused on having a good Western Swing and
then going from there.

"We have a good chance to win this race tomorrow, and that is what we are
shooting for," smiled the 2000-event winner at Pacific Raceways.

Stevens matches up against Jim Yates in the first round of Sunday's
eliminations. He is 1-1 (win-loss) against Yates this season.

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