<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/Stivers_663176.jpg" alt="Stivers_663176" align="right"borders="0"/>
BAYTOWN, Texas (29 March 2008) - Pro Modified driver Rick Stivers learned this weekend that by driving a car nicknamed the "dozer" he has to be prepared for the possibility that its performance might be similar to a large earth-moving machine. Three of his four passes down the track fell into this category, netting the Lexington, Ky.-resident an early, first-round exit from the JEGS ProMod Challenge at the O'Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals.
Stivers qualified No. 10 based on the strength of a stellar 6.070/235.15 pass during Friday's evening qualifier, and in the first round of eliminations Saturday afternoon, he was matched up against former world champion Jay Payne.
"I really felt good going into eliminations, because Tim Tindle [team owner] has given us such a great car, and Mike Janis [crew chief] really has things running so well. I wasn't concerned about going up against Jay at all," Stivers said.
"My only concern was the fact that we had to run in the right lane, because drivers had been struggling to get down that lane all day," he said.
Stivers' premonition became reality, as his '67 Mustang shook hard at the hit of the throttle and got sideways, causing him to lift and watch Payne pass him. Stivers almost received a gift, however, as Payne's '68 Camaro nearly brushed the wall causing him to forfeit the round, but official inspection determined that no contact had been made, and the run stood, however ugly: Stivers' 15.674 to Payne's 7.801-second win.
"Honestly, it's disappointing because I know we have what it takes, and the Janis horsepower and magic we have on board can definitely make the numbers. I guess it's lane choice, and today, it wasn't on our side," he explained.
"No worries," he added. "We'll pull things together and get ready for Atlanta in a couple of weeks. Tim and the guys will be testing for sure, and we'll be ready to hit it hard again."
Stivers will return to competition April 24-27 when the JEGS ProMod Challenge continues at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals in Atlanta, Ga.
Stivers pushed out in round one in Houston
BAYTOWN, Texas (29 March 2008) - Pro Modified driver Rick Stivers learned this weekend that by driving a car nicknamed the "dozer" he has to be prepared for the possibility that its performance might be similar to a large earth-moving machine. Three of his four passes down the track fell into this category, netting the Lexington, Ky.-resident an early, first-round exit from the JEGS ProMod Challenge at the O'Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals.
Stivers qualified No. 10 based on the strength of a stellar 6.070/235.15 pass during Friday's evening qualifier, and in the first round of eliminations Saturday afternoon, he was matched up against former world champion Jay Payne.
"I really felt good going into eliminations, because Tim Tindle [team owner] has given us such a great car, and Mike Janis [crew chief] really has things running so well. I wasn't concerned about going up against Jay at all," Stivers said.
"My only concern was the fact that we had to run in the right lane, because drivers had been struggling to get down that lane all day," he said.
Stivers' premonition became reality, as his '67 Mustang shook hard at the hit of the throttle and got sideways, causing him to lift and watch Payne pass him. Stivers almost received a gift, however, as Payne's '68 Camaro nearly brushed the wall causing him to forfeit the round, but official inspection determined that no contact had been made, and the run stood, however ugly: Stivers' 15.674 to Payne's 7.801-second win.
"Honestly, it's disappointing because I know we have what it takes, and the Janis horsepower and magic we have on board can definitely make the numbers. I guess it's lane choice, and today, it wasn't on our side," he explained.
"No worries," he added. "We'll pull things together and get ready for Atlanta in a couple of weeks. Tim and the guys will be testing for sure, and we'll be ready to hit it hard again."
Stivers will return to competition April 24-27 when the JEGS ProMod Challenge continues at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals in Atlanta, Ga.
