IHRA Harold Martin Pre Race: Martin Seeks to Reward His Many Maryland Fans with a Win

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 President's Cup Nationals

Location:  Maryland International Dragway

       Budd's Creek, Maryland

Dates:  September 29 - October 1, 2006

 

Martin Seeks to Reward His Many Maryland Fans with a Win

 

Throughout the course of the eleven-race eMax Drag Racing season,
drivers in the popular Pro Modified division will visit eight tracks in
pursuit of victory.  From Edmonton, Alberta, Canada to Rockingham, North
Carolina they will travel, with each stop offering every competitor
their own cheering section, fans that have chosen to support them.   

 

This allegiance may come from a geographic proximity to the team's home
base or from an affinity to the manufacturer and model of race car with
which they compete.  In many cases, it is the driver's personality that
will win them over, as the racer will take time to speak to his or her
followers throughout the course of the weekend, or to sign an autograph
for someone who has waited patiently outside the pit area.  

 

With his outgoing personality and desire to help others succeed in
pursuing their dreams, ACDelco Pro Modified pilot Harold Martin is one
of the most well-liked competitors on the circuit.   However, his
popularity traditionally rises to new levels when the IHRA makes its
annual visit to Maryland International Raceway for the Torco Race Fuels
President's Cup Nationals.  With another large crowd expected this
weekend, Martin spoke of the annual second homecoming and his desire to
reward their support with a win.

 

"It's a great feeling for a driver to have the support that we enjoy at
Maryland International Raceway," stated Martin.  "You often wonder about
your legacy and what you can do to enhance your image.  Certainly you
feel that you can constantly improve, but it's gratifying to know that
your integrity is held high, and that you have a huge fan base that is
supportive of everything you do.  This provides a complete feeling for
myself as well as my sponsors and everyone who is involved with Harold
Martin Racing.

 

"It seems like it was just a few years ago that I had the opportunity to
be a keynote speaker at a hugely attended event in the Washington, D.C.
area, where I talked about the importance of winning on and off the
racetrack.  Nothing would be greater than to have the chance to share
our winning on the track with our legions of fans in that area, and our
ACDelco Pontiac team has worked very hard in the few days since our last
race to prepare to do exactly that."

 

In order for the Martin Motorsports crew to deliver what would be a very
popular win, they will have to adapt and overcome the numerous
challenges awaiting them at the Old Line State quarter-mile.  With
cooler fall temperatures anticipated, the nitrous-assisted cars will be
at a disadvantage to their supercharged counterparts.  In addition, the
combination of another large field and a limited number of qualifying
sessions demands absolute perfection simply to qualify.  However,
confident his Pontiac's performance and his ACDelco crew's abilities,
Martin has his sights set squarely on scoring his second win.

 

"Although we are once again facing a David and Goliath situation in what
the cooler temperatures will bring to some of our competitors, we know
that we have a very good race program, and that we are a great team.  We
think that as the dust settles and we all have to race the racetrack,
that we should be up to the task.

 

"The racing surface at Maryland International Raceway is a very good
track that becomes a major challenge due to the tremendous atmospheric
conditions encountered at this time of year.  You often have more power
than you can consistently put to the ground, which tests the crews and,
in our opinion, makes for a fun weekend.  The key is to resist the urge
to rotate the earth and stay in your game, remaining focused on winning
the race.  

 

"If we are successful in qualifying in a good position, race day will
offer its own challenges in making four good runs back-to-back, and that
is certainly where our sights are set - getting solidly in the field,
and then having a competitive and consistent ACDelco Pontiac on race
day."

 

Notes on Harold Martin and the ACDelco Pontiac Racing Team entering

The IHRA Torco Race Fuels President's Cup Nationals:

 

One Year Ago:  Harold captured the thirteenth starting spot with a
6.234-second, 225.52 mph pass, but fell in the opening round.

 

Event Schedule: 

 

            Qualifying:

                        Friday, September 29:
One round at 7:00 p.m.

                        Saturday, September 30:                     Two
rounds at 3:00 & 7:00 p.m.

 

            Final Eliminations:

                        Sunday, October 1:
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 2:15 p.m.

Championship round at 4:15 p.m.

Television Schedule: 

            Saturday, October 21:
4:30 - 5:30 p.m.  (Speed Channel)

 

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