<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/Hernandez.Indy.jpg" alt="Hernandez.Indy" align="left"borders="0"/>
Ennis, Texas (September 21, 2007) - Josh Hernandez, driver of the Dr. Moon's Rage '68 Camaro Pro Mod and run-away BAE Championship Cup points leader, is looking to defend his home turf with a win this weekend as the AMS Pro Mod Challenge returns to Texas Motorplex for the O'Reilly NHRA Fall Nationals. Having won the event in Houston earlier this year, the Lone Star State-native is hoping to sweep the Texas events and increase his event win-total to six out of eight.
"The competition has gotten tougher and tougher as the season has progressed, and I know this will be a difficult battle coming into Dallas this weekend," Hernandez said. "Howard [Moon, crew chief] told me he is anxious to get on the track and see what we can do - and I'm right there with him. This track can be fast if the conditions are there, and with forecasts for cooler temperatures, I think you will see a lot of low six-second runs, and hopefully we'll add a few fives to the mix."
Hernandez currently holds the record for quickest-ever Pro Mod run at 5.912 seconds, and if the Conroe, Texas resident wins the event, he will be the sixth winner in as many years.
Ahead in the BAE Championship Cup race by more than 1500 points, Hernandez is virtually unreachable at the top, and will be officially awarded the BAE Championship Cup at a special ceremony on Saturday, September 21 before the first round of eliminations.
"It's been a lot of hard work for this whole team this season, and these guys are the ones who deserve the cup. I don't think it will really set in until the awards banquet in Vegas, but I'm really excited to recognize Tommy Lipar's support [Lipar is Hernandez' sponsor] all the struggles and the team has gone through to earn this. It's definitely a team effort, and I'm just the monkey who gets to sit behind the wheel," Hernandez said.
Hernandez will receive a $25,000 check along with the BAE Championship Cup, but knows he can't let down at all, as qualifying for the $50,000 ProCare Rx Pro Modified Clash is still up for grabs with two races (including this weekend) left to earn a spot in the top eight. Currently ranked No. 1 in the Clash, Hernandez is looking for another $25,000 payday, and, because points are earned in qualifying for consistency and performance, every single run remaining has serious implications.
"We're not letting down at all, because we all want to win the ProCare Rx Clash, too - so you can bet we'll be working hard on every run to make sure we get down the track consistently ," he said.
Qualifying is scheduled with rounds at 3:15 and 6:15 p.m. Friday, September 21, and one round at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. September 22, followed by the first round of eliminations are at 4 p.m. Eliminations are schedule to be completed on Sunday, September 23.
Quick Facts
* Josh Hernandez holds the AMS Pro Mod record for Most Career Event Wins at 11
* Hernandez has won five events this season out of six final round appearances
* Hernandez was most recently runner-up at the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, Ind.
* Hernandez is tied for the most final round appearances at 13 with two-time World Champion Mike Ashley
* Hernandez has seven career No. 1 qualifier performances
* Hernandez has the highest round-winning percentage in AMS History at 76.6%
For more information about Josh Hernandez and the Tommy Lipar Racing team, visit the team website: :: Tommy Lipar Racing.com :: Home of Dr. Moon's RAGE Pro Mod.
Photo courtesy of CompetitionPlus.com
Hernandez looking for the 'double crown' of Texas
Ennis, Texas (September 21, 2007) - Josh Hernandez, driver of the Dr. Moon's Rage '68 Camaro Pro Mod and run-away BAE Championship Cup points leader, is looking to defend his home turf with a win this weekend as the AMS Pro Mod Challenge returns to Texas Motorplex for the O'Reilly NHRA Fall Nationals. Having won the event in Houston earlier this year, the Lone Star State-native is hoping to sweep the Texas events and increase his event win-total to six out of eight.
"The competition has gotten tougher and tougher as the season has progressed, and I know this will be a difficult battle coming into Dallas this weekend," Hernandez said. "Howard [Moon, crew chief] told me he is anxious to get on the track and see what we can do - and I'm right there with him. This track can be fast if the conditions are there, and with forecasts for cooler temperatures, I think you will see a lot of low six-second runs, and hopefully we'll add a few fives to the mix."
Hernandez currently holds the record for quickest-ever Pro Mod run at 5.912 seconds, and if the Conroe, Texas resident wins the event, he will be the sixth winner in as many years.
Ahead in the BAE Championship Cup race by more than 1500 points, Hernandez is virtually unreachable at the top, and will be officially awarded the BAE Championship Cup at a special ceremony on Saturday, September 21 before the first round of eliminations.
"It's been a lot of hard work for this whole team this season, and these guys are the ones who deserve the cup. I don't think it will really set in until the awards banquet in Vegas, but I'm really excited to recognize Tommy Lipar's support [Lipar is Hernandez' sponsor] all the struggles and the team has gone through to earn this. It's definitely a team effort, and I'm just the monkey who gets to sit behind the wheel," Hernandez said.
Hernandez will receive a $25,000 check along with the BAE Championship Cup, but knows he can't let down at all, as qualifying for the $50,000 ProCare Rx Pro Modified Clash is still up for grabs with two races (including this weekend) left to earn a spot in the top eight. Currently ranked No. 1 in the Clash, Hernandez is looking for another $25,000 payday, and, because points are earned in qualifying for consistency and performance, every single run remaining has serious implications.
"We're not letting down at all, because we all want to win the ProCare Rx Clash, too - so you can bet we'll be working hard on every run to make sure we get down the track consistently ," he said.
Qualifying is scheduled with rounds at 3:15 and 6:15 p.m. Friday, September 21, and one round at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. September 22, followed by the first round of eliminations are at 4 p.m. Eliminations are schedule to be completed on Sunday, September 23.
Quick Facts
* Josh Hernandez holds the AMS Pro Mod record for Most Career Event Wins at 11
* Hernandez has won five events this season out of six final round appearances
* Hernandez was most recently runner-up at the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, Ind.
* Hernandez is tied for the most final round appearances at 13 with two-time World Champion Mike Ashley
* Hernandez has seven career No. 1 qualifier performances
* Hernandez has the highest round-winning percentage in AMS History at 76.6%
For more information about Josh Hernandez and the Tommy Lipar Racing team, visit the team website: :: Tommy Lipar Racing.com :: Home of Dr. Moon's RAGE Pro Mod.
Photo courtesy of CompetitionPlus.com
