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SOMONA, Calif.(July 29) -- Richie Stevens Jr. continues to race towards his first win for Don Schumacher Racing in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Pro Stock class, as he enters Sunday's Fram-Autolite NHRA Nationals at Infineon Raceway from the No. 5 position.
Stevens recorded a stellar qualifying pass of 6.649 seconds at 207.08 mph in today's third qualifying session to earn that spot.
It is the eighth time in 15 events in 2006 he has placed the Team Mopar/Valspar Dodge Stratus R/T in the top half of the elite 16-car Pro Stock field.
His other three qualifying passes produced a 6.724/205.72, a 6.692/205.76, and a 6.689/206.67.
Sunday, he chases that win. "We've got a good car this weekend, and I feel like we've got a good shot tomorrow. We're going to do the best we can and try not to make any mistakes," said the New Orleans native.
"Fifth is damned good place to start; we'll take that. That will give us lane choice. The lanes seem to be pretty equal, but you never know what might happen with the nitro cars. It's nice to have that in your back pocket; it makes you feel better on Sunday morning.
"We have things going in the right direction. We got back into the top 10 last weekend, and we have to protect that, then work on moving up some more. Hopefully we can win tomorrow, and go home off this Western Swing on a good note."
Stevens matches up against Mike Edwards in the first round of Sunday's eliminations. He is 1-1 (win-loss) against Edwards this season.
Stevens Jr. Qualifies No. 5 in Sonoma
SOMONA, Calif.(July 29) -- Richie Stevens Jr. continues to race towards his first win for Don Schumacher Racing in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Pro Stock class, as he enters Sunday's Fram-Autolite NHRA Nationals at Infineon Raceway from the No. 5 position.
Stevens recorded a stellar qualifying pass of 6.649 seconds at 207.08 mph in today's third qualifying session to earn that spot.
It is the eighth time in 15 events in 2006 he has placed the Team Mopar/Valspar Dodge Stratus R/T in the top half of the elite 16-car Pro Stock field.
His other three qualifying passes produced a 6.724/205.72, a 6.692/205.76, and a 6.689/206.67.
Sunday, he chases that win. "We've got a good car this weekend, and I feel like we've got a good shot tomorrow. We're going to do the best we can and try not to make any mistakes," said the New Orleans native.
"Fifth is damned good place to start; we'll take that. That will give us lane choice. The lanes seem to be pretty equal, but you never know what might happen with the nitro cars. It's nice to have that in your back pocket; it makes you feel better on Sunday morning.
"We have things going in the right direction. We got back into the top 10 last weekend, and we have to protect that, then work on moving up some more. Hopefully we can win tomorrow, and go home off this Western Swing on a good note."
Stevens matches up against Mike Edwards in the first round of Sunday's eliminations. He is 1-1 (win-loss) against Edwards this season.
