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NHRA: Collins Racing Maintains Pace Through Round 2

27 February 1999

PHOENIX - As the sun sat low in the sky and as temperatures increased, the second round of Pro Stock qualifying for the 15th Annual Checker Schuck's Kragen Nationals presented by Pennzoil saw speeds decrease for almost all of the drivers. The Collins Racing team was no exception.

Here's a recap of each driver's pass from Round 2:

Shawn Collins, the primary driver on the Collins Racing Pro Stock team who is driving Mike Thomas' Pennzoil back-up car this race, slowed a bit in his second qualifying lap. Still Collins' first round lap of 7.025 seconds at 196.47 mph kept him comfortably in the field of 16 drivers in the 12th position.

"The car shook a bit in Round 2," said Collins. "I had to pull second gear early to get out of the shake and that probably cost me a little time. The starting line was pretty bald (of rubber.) There was nothing for the tires to grab on to. We are still in a position to improve tomorrow, so hopefully they'll work on the track tonight and get it right. Right now, I like our chances of staying in the field."

Richie "The Kid" Stevens, driver of the Collins Racing Valspar Refinish Pontiac Firebird, continued to have mechanical problems as he broke another motor during his second round pass. Stevens ran a lap of 7.061 seconds at 195.76 mph, a pass that put him in 23rd spot.

"It would have been a good run," said Stevens, "but we broke a lifter in the motor. I think I'm having a streak of bad luck. Hopefully, the crew will get the car back together and I can turn this thing around tomorrow in Round 3. All I need is some luck and I'll be fine."