Hernandez & Team Rage makes uncharacteristic first-round exit in Richmond
<p style="width:300px;float:right;font-weight:bold;padding-right:0px;">
<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/Hernandez.nhra.jpg" alt="Hernandez.nhra" />
<br><font color="Navy">"It's definitely not what I had expected for the weekend, but it makes it great for the fans. Vegas is the whole thing - it all is on the line there, and it will be something to see, for sure," Hernandez said.</font>
<P> (10-13-08) DINWIDDIE, Va. (October 11, 2008) - What seemed destined as another record-breaking weekend for reigning JEGS ProMod Challenge World Champion Josh Hernandez coasted to a dead stop in the first round of eliminations at the Virginia NHRA Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park.
After running the quickest-ever pass of 5.900 seconds in qualifying to take the No. 1 spot, Hernandez was poised to increase his championship points lead over second-place Tony Pontieri - but, "It wasn't meant to be," Hernandez said.
In the first round of eliminations Saturday night, Hernandez faced off against No. 16 qualifier Mike Janis in what seemed to be technicality for the Texan to get into the money rounds on Sunday. Hernandez lead Janis off the line and was on the way to victory when mechanical failure cost him the round - and made the championship race a lot more interesting.
"We were on an incredible run in the first round of eliminations - something on pace for a 5.88 or better, but just as I shifted, the drive-line failed, and I just shook my head as I watched Janis drive past me with a 6.18. What should have been another record-setting run and the backup for the national record just died right there on the quarter-mile," he said.
Despite running the quickest lap in history, Hernandez did not earn the record because he failed to back up the run - that honor, and the 20-point bonus belonged to Pontieri, who ran a 5.905 in qualifying. Potieri also earned an additional 20 points for making it to the quarterfinals, bringing the gap to 20 points: just one round of competition.
"It's really a testament to how much this class has improved and tightened up this season. Tony was on a tear all weekend - just like Scott Ray and a lot of the other cars. The conditions were perfect, and the track was amazing. It was like flypaper out there - everything we threw at the track stuck to it like glue.
"It's definitely not what I had expected for the weekend, but it makes it great for the fans. Vegas is the whole thing - it all is on the line there, and it will be something to see, for sure," he said.
Hernandez and Team Rage will put its whole season on the line Oct. 30-Nov. 2 at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, "but with Jim Oddy Tuning and Critchley supplying the power with his amazing Engine/Superchargercombo, I really like our chances ,states Hernandez"
"Most of our corporate sponsors will be there in attendance for the Sema show, so it will be a fitting place topresent them with a World Championship. We owe a huge thank you to NGK Spark Plugs, Red Line Oil,Permatex products, Hoosier Tires, Richmond Gears, VP Racing Fuels, Mechanix Wear, Thunderworx Race Engines & Superchargers, Inc".
<p style="width:300px;float:right;font-weight:bold;padding-right:0px;">
<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/Hernandez.nhra.jpg" alt="Hernandez.nhra" />
<br><font color="Navy">"It's definitely not what I had expected for the weekend, but it makes it great for the fans. Vegas is the whole thing - it all is on the line there, and it will be something to see, for sure," Hernandez said.</font>
<P> (10-13-08) DINWIDDIE, Va. (October 11, 2008) - What seemed destined as another record-breaking weekend for reigning JEGS ProMod Challenge World Champion Josh Hernandez coasted to a dead stop in the first round of eliminations at the Virginia NHRA Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park.
After running the quickest-ever pass of 5.900 seconds in qualifying to take the No. 1 spot, Hernandez was poised to increase his championship points lead over second-place Tony Pontieri - but, "It wasn't meant to be," Hernandez said.
In the first round of eliminations Saturday night, Hernandez faced off against No. 16 qualifier Mike Janis in what seemed to be technicality for the Texan to get into the money rounds on Sunday. Hernandez lead Janis off the line and was on the way to victory when mechanical failure cost him the round - and made the championship race a lot more interesting.
"We were on an incredible run in the first round of eliminations - something on pace for a 5.88 or better, but just as I shifted, the drive-line failed, and I just shook my head as I watched Janis drive past me with a 6.18. What should have been another record-setting run and the backup for the national record just died right there on the quarter-mile," he said.
Despite running the quickest lap in history, Hernandez did not earn the record because he failed to back up the run - that honor, and the 20-point bonus belonged to Pontieri, who ran a 5.905 in qualifying. Potieri also earned an additional 20 points for making it to the quarterfinals, bringing the gap to 20 points: just one round of competition.
"It's really a testament to how much this class has improved and tightened up this season. Tony was on a tear all weekend - just like Scott Ray and a lot of the other cars. The conditions were perfect, and the track was amazing. It was like flypaper out there - everything we threw at the track stuck to it like glue.
"It's definitely not what I had expected for the weekend, but it makes it great for the fans. Vegas is the whole thing - it all is on the line there, and it will be something to see, for sure," he said.
Hernandez and Team Rage will put its whole season on the line Oct. 30-Nov. 2 at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, "but with Jim Oddy Tuning and Critchley supplying the power with his amazing Engine/Superchargercombo, I really like our chances ,states Hernandez"
"Most of our corporate sponsors will be there in attendance for the Sema show, so it will be a fitting place topresent them with a World Championship. We owe a huge thank you to NGK Spark Plugs, Red Line Oil,Permatex products, Hoosier Tires, Richmond Gears, VP Racing Fuels, Mechanix Wear, Thunderworx Race Engines & Superchargers, Inc".
