IHRA Harold Martin Pre Race: Martin is Anxious to Get Back
on Track at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park
Contact: Jon G. Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing
Phone: (704) 662-3121
jgknapp@tmgsports.net
Team ACDelco
IHRA Race Preview
Harold Martin, Owner/Driver
ACDelco Pro Modified Pontiac
Event: IHRA Torco Race Fuels Northern Nationals
Location: U.S. 131 Motorsports Park
Martin, Michigan
Dates: August 4-6, 2006
Harold Martin is Anxious to Get Back on Track at
U.S. 131 Motorsports Park
With the postponement of the most recent stop on the eMax Drag Racing
circuit due to rain two weeks ago, it has now been over a month since
racers in the IHRA's Pro Modified category have faced each other in
competition. As expected, Harold Martin and his ACDelco Pontiac Racing
team have used the time productively, going over their race car from
nose to tail, addressing any issues that may have affected their
performance as well as incorporating technology to move their program
forward. Even though their preparations have included numerous test
sessions at tracks in the area, the entire Martin Motorsports crew is
more than ready to get back to business this weekend at the Torco
Northern Nationals in Martin, MI.
"While we haven't been in direct competition, there is certainly a lot
of tire rubber in the wheel wells of our ACDelco Pontiac from all the
testing we have been doing," stated Martin. "We clearly have made
progress over the last few weeks and are excited about the upcoming
weekend. We believe we have an improved program, and hopefully with a
little bit of racing luck, we will be able to capitalize on it."
One factor working in the favor of both the competitors and the fans
attending this weekend's event at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park is the
forecast, which is calling for an end to the oppressive heat wave that
has engulfed the nation for most of the last month. With temperatures
expected to rise only into the 80-degree range, and buoyed by the
support of his many home state fans, the "EFI Wizard" is looking for a
strong showing to start the second half of his 2006 season.
"I'm not sure if we'll know how to deal with the cold wave if it
happens," joked Martin. "In all seriousness, our recent tests were
conducted during this recent period of global warming, where the ambient
temperature was 104 degrees and the track temperature was 145 degrees.
Therefore, we will welcome the opportunity to race at a pleasant
temperature level, including the added energy enjoyed by every member of
the team. However, we are not going to put a lot of weight into any
forecasts, preferring instead to be prepared for any and all sorts of
conditions.
"U.S. 131 Motorsports Park is a great facility with a tremendous fan
base that supports our ACDelco Pontiac, and we would like nothing more
than to show them the competitive performance of which we are capable
and pull off a victory. In our minds there would be nothing better than
to have the headlines for this weekend read simply 'Martin wins at
Martin.'"
Notes on Harold Martin and the ACDelco Pontiac Racing Team entering
The IHRA Torco Northern Nationals:
Martin's record at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park: In the last four races at
the Martin quarter-mile, Harold has two starts in the top half of the
field, and two quarterfinal finishes.
One Year Ago: Harold captured the 16th starting spot with a
6.367-second, 224.17 mph pass, but fell to No. 1 qualifier and eventual
race runner-up Carl Spiering in the opening round
Event Schedule:
Qualifying:
Friday, August 4: One round
at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 5: Two rounds at
3:00 & 7:00 p.m.
Final Eliminations:
Sunday, August 6: 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, August 26: 5:00 - 6:00
p.m. (Speed Channel)
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