<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/JoshTXR1.jpg"align="left"borders="0"/>
LAS VEGAS - AMS RAGE Pro Modified driver Josh Hernandez sits a scant 328 points out of first place with only one race left on the 2006 AMS Pro Modified Challenge tour. The 2005 NHRA AMS Rookie of the Year wouldn't mind running the table on his adversaries Jay Payne, Joey Martin and Shelly Payne in order to take home his first championship.
Hernandez is certainly a worthy candidate after winning two national events in 2006 (Houston and Indianapolis), finishing runner-up in the ADRL's Pro Extreme division and just last week recording the first legal five-second run in sanctioned competition.
"We have certainly experienced a great run of fortunes in 2006,"Hernandez said. "We certainly have the odds stacked against us but, as we've found, that is when we are at our best. Having your back against the wall brings out that extra fight in you. We are leaving no stone unturned."
The old saying that suggests history tends to repeat itself is one that Hernandez wouldn't mind seeing come to pass this weekend. Last year, Hernandez opened the Las Vegas by qualifying on the pole and methodically defeated all challengers en route to score his fourth win in six final rounds.
Thus far in 2006, Hernandez has reached six final rounds (in three sanctions) with four victories. Just to think, this is his sophomore season as a Pro Modified driver.
"We have been successful because we learned a long time ago how to win and lose as a team," Hernandez said. "Howard Moon calls the shots and the guy is incredible. Every member of this team is a valuable part of the puzzle.
"I am just the face that represents their hard work. This is one of the hard working teams in the sport of drag racing."
HERNANDEZ BRINGS CHAMPIONSHIP ASPIRATIONS INTO LAS VEGAS
LAS VEGAS - AMS RAGE Pro Modified driver Josh Hernandez sits a scant 328 points out of first place with only one race left on the 2006 AMS Pro Modified Challenge tour. The 2005 NHRA AMS Rookie of the Year wouldn't mind running the table on his adversaries Jay Payne, Joey Martin and Shelly Payne in order to take home his first championship.
Hernandez is certainly a worthy candidate after winning two national events in 2006 (Houston and Indianapolis), finishing runner-up in the ADRL's Pro Extreme division and just last week recording the first legal five-second run in sanctioned competition.
"We have certainly experienced a great run of fortunes in 2006,"Hernandez said. "We certainly have the odds stacked against us but, as we've found, that is when we are at our best. Having your back against the wall brings out that extra fight in you. We are leaving no stone unturned."
The old saying that suggests history tends to repeat itself is one that Hernandez wouldn't mind seeing come to pass this weekend. Last year, Hernandez opened the Las Vegas by qualifying on the pole and methodically defeated all challengers en route to score his fourth win in six final rounds.
Thus far in 2006, Hernandez has reached six final rounds (in three sanctions) with four victories. Just to think, this is his sophomore season as a Pro Modified driver.
"We have been successful because we learned a long time ago how to win and lose as a team," Hernandez said. "Howard Moon calls the shots and the guy is incredible. Every member of this team is a valuable part of the puzzle.
"I am just the face that represents their hard work. This is one of the hard working teams in the sport of drag racing."
