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ENNIS, Texas - Rick Stivers is a long-term thinker, and although he made an early, disappointing exit in the AMS Pro Mod Challenge event at the O'Reilly NHRA Fall Nationals, he is definitely buoyed by his performance over the weekend.
Stivers qualified strong with a 6.098/226.77 to earn 8th place, and was ready to take on defending event champion Shelly Payne in a battle of the '68 Camaros. After his burnout, he returned to the line to stage, but his car lost power and was unable to race, handing Shelly the win.
"This has definitely been a re-building year for my team," the Lexington, Ky. resident said. "After working my way through the breakage issues I struggled with last year and the beginning of this year, and now with the power of Chuck Ford calling the shots on the car, things are finally starting to come together.
"When the car just up and died, I shook my head in disbelief, thinking, 'this can't be happening.' We aren't really sure what happened, other than we've got some kind of electrical problem, but, I'm really confident that Chuck and the guys can get it squared away before Richmond.
"Really, I want to go rounds and have a shot at winning a race, but it seems this year has just been one of those years when you get things worked out and plan for the next. We still have two races left, and I'm trying hard to get into the ProCare Rx Clash and have a chance to race for the cash in Vegas, so, I'm not down and out by any means.
"I've been racing a long time, and this is just one of those things that, when you look at the big picture, it's all coming together really well," Stivers said.
Stivers is scheduled next to race at the Torco Race Fuels NHRA Nationals in Richmond, Va., October 4-7.
Stivers positive despite early exit in Dallas
ENNIS, Texas - Rick Stivers is a long-term thinker, and although he made an early, disappointing exit in the AMS Pro Mod Challenge event at the O'Reilly NHRA Fall Nationals, he is definitely buoyed by his performance over the weekend.
Stivers qualified strong with a 6.098/226.77 to earn 8th place, and was ready to take on defending event champion Shelly Payne in a battle of the '68 Camaros. After his burnout, he returned to the line to stage, but his car lost power and was unable to race, handing Shelly the win.
"This has definitely been a re-building year for my team," the Lexington, Ky. resident said. "After working my way through the breakage issues I struggled with last year and the beginning of this year, and now with the power of Chuck Ford calling the shots on the car, things are finally starting to come together.
"When the car just up and died, I shook my head in disbelief, thinking, 'this can't be happening.' We aren't really sure what happened, other than we've got some kind of electrical problem, but, I'm really confident that Chuck and the guys can get it squared away before Richmond.
"Really, I want to go rounds and have a shot at winning a race, but it seems this year has just been one of those years when you get things worked out and plan for the next. We still have two races left, and I'm trying hard to get into the ProCare Rx Clash and have a chance to race for the cash in Vegas, so, I'm not down and out by any means.
"I've been racing a long time, and this is just one of those things that, when you look at the big picture, it's all coming together really well," Stivers said.
Stivers is scheduled next to race at the Torco Race Fuels NHRA Nationals in Richmond, Va., October 4-7.
