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BAYTOWN, Texas (March 28, 2007) - Pro Modified World Speed Record holder Troy Critchley wants to leave Houston with two things: a win in the AMS Staff Leasing Pro Modified Challenge presented by Tindle Enterprises, Inc., and the other half of the top mark for the class: the record for quickest blown door slammer in the world.
Having set the speed record in his runner-up effort at Gainesville in his AMS Staff Leasing-backed '70 Barracuda just two weeks ago at 245.81 mph, the Australian-native knows the battle will be fierce to leave with the AMS Eagle, especially within his own camp, from teammate Josh Hernandez. Hernandez is the owner of the ET mark, 5.912 seconds, also set at the last event.
"We're teammates and friends, sure, and we work hard to assure our cars run the very best they can, but we're both racers, and we know that when we face each other that one of us will get the light - that's the goal, for both of us," Critchley said.
"Setting the speed record was a proud moment, for sure, as is being number two in points. I'm not really focusing on any of that, though - I'm just heading out to do the best I can.
"Howard [Moon, crew chief] and the boys have us ready to run, and I know it'll be a great race," he said.
In 2006, Critchley was the top qualifier in Houston but failed to make the call for eliminations because he crashed his 'Cuda in his final round of qualifying. Although he was uninjured in last year's accident, he is keenly aware of what can happen in a race car at high speed, making the loss of fellow racer Eric Medlen even harder. Medlen succumbed last Friday afternoon to injuries suffered when his race car crashed into a guardwall during a Monday test session at Gainesville Raceway.
"I know firsthand what it's like to hit the wall, and it's something no one likes to think about. Eric's death is tragic, and my heart-felt condolences go out to his family and team. I don't know that there are enough words to say how I feel inside about it - it is so sad," Critchley said.
Pro Mod racing will kick off at the O'Reilly NHRA Southern Nationals with qualifying at Houston Raceway Park in Baytown, Texas on Friday, April 8, with sessions at 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM, and then again on Saturday, April 9 at 1:30 PM. The first round of Pro Mod eliminations is scheduled for 4:30 PM that same day. Eliminations continue Sunday, April 10, with Pre-Race Ceremonies beginning at 10:00 AM and Final Eliminations to follow.
Critchley looking for the win and another record in Houston
BAYTOWN, Texas (March 28, 2007) - Pro Modified World Speed Record holder Troy Critchley wants to leave Houston with two things: a win in the AMS Staff Leasing Pro Modified Challenge presented by Tindle Enterprises, Inc., and the other half of the top mark for the class: the record for quickest blown door slammer in the world.
Having set the speed record in his runner-up effort at Gainesville in his AMS Staff Leasing-backed '70 Barracuda just two weeks ago at 245.81 mph, the Australian-native knows the battle will be fierce to leave with the AMS Eagle, especially within his own camp, from teammate Josh Hernandez. Hernandez is the owner of the ET mark, 5.912 seconds, also set at the last event.
"We're teammates and friends, sure, and we work hard to assure our cars run the very best they can, but we're both racers, and we know that when we face each other that one of us will get the light - that's the goal, for both of us," Critchley said.
"Setting the speed record was a proud moment, for sure, as is being number two in points. I'm not really focusing on any of that, though - I'm just heading out to do the best I can.
"Howard [Moon, crew chief] and the boys have us ready to run, and I know it'll be a great race," he said.
In 2006, Critchley was the top qualifier in Houston but failed to make the call for eliminations because he crashed his 'Cuda in his final round of qualifying. Although he was uninjured in last year's accident, he is keenly aware of what can happen in a race car at high speed, making the loss of fellow racer Eric Medlen even harder. Medlen succumbed last Friday afternoon to injuries suffered when his race car crashed into a guardwall during a Monday test session at Gainesville Raceway.
"I know firsthand what it's like to hit the wall, and it's something no one likes to think about. Eric's death is tragic, and my heart-felt condolences go out to his family and team. I don't know that there are enough words to say how I feel inside about it - it is so sad," Critchley said.
Pro Mod racing will kick off at the O'Reilly NHRA Southern Nationals with qualifying at Houston Raceway Park in Baytown, Texas on Friday, April 8, with sessions at 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM, and then again on Saturday, April 9 at 1:30 PM. The first round of Pro Mod eliminations is scheduled for 4:30 PM that same day. Eliminations continue Sunday, April 10, with Pre-Race Ceremonies beginning at 10:00 AM and Final Eliminations to follow.
