[coverattach=1]TEMECULA, Calif. (Nov. 11, 2008) – Rockstar Energy Drink Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car driver Jerry Toliver wants to end the 2008 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series with a victory this weekend at the 44th annual NHRA Finals at Pomona (Calif.) Raceway. More than anything, he'd like to add a fourth career win at this facility to his resume and the first of the year for the Rockstar Energy Drink team. The California native boasts triumphs in Pomona at the season finale in 1999 and at the season openers in 2000 and 2004.
It’s been a long season for the California native who joined Don Schumacher Racing in 2008 and endured a year void of racing luck, despite driving a car that has demonstrated strong performances throughout the year. The one thing that has remained solid for Toliver is his hard-working crew. Led by crew chief Phil Shuler, the Rockstar Energy Drink team’s determination throughout the season has never been in question. Coming off a strong No. 3 qualifying effort at the last event in Las Vegas, Toliver wants to reward his crew with a victory.
“This is our one last shot to win that race for Rockstar Energy Drink, Don Schumacher Racing and the boys,” said Toliver, No. 15 in points. “So it’s a big race for me. The car has shown it has the ability to go out there and run with the best of them. The problem we’ve been having is consistency and taking our qualifying car and making it work on the first lap on race day.
“I’m excited about going back to Pomona, it’s easily my favorite track,” said Toliver, who has scored three of his career five wins there, including the first of his career. “My friends and family are always there and with the success I’ve had there in the past it’s always a fun place to go. Any time you’ve won somewhere I think you feel more confident at that race track. It’s now or never for the Rockstar Energy Drink team.”
JERRY TOLIVER QUICK FACTS:
* No. 15 in Funny Car point standings after 23 of 24 events in 2008
* Qualified No. 11, reached the quarterfinals at last year’s event
* First career Funny Car victory at NHRA Finals in 1999 (John Force)
* Won Winternationals in 2000 (Tony Pedregon) and 2004 (Gary Densham); has three career Funny Car wins at Pomona Raceway
* Made quickest run of the 2008 season in Joliet, Ill., 4.783 seconds
* Debuted new sponsor Rockstar Energy Drink at 2007 Las Vegas event
* Qualified second twice in 2008, at the season-opening Winternationals, tying for No. 1 with the quickest Funny Car run of the weekend (4.790 seconds) and in Memphis.
* Joined Don Schumacher Racing for the 2008 season
* No. 19 in 2007 Funny Car point standings after running limited schedule (19 races)
* Returned to Funny Car competition in 2007 after two-year hiatus with new sponsor Rockstar Energy Drink
* Qualified in the top half of the field twice last season; had top speed of the event in Denver
* Made Funny Car debut in 1998 running 12 races with sponsorship from MAD Magazine
* Earned first Funny Car national event win over John Force at 1999 NHRA Finals at Pomona
* Won inaugural race in Las Vegas 2000 as team owner for driver Jim Epler
* Won five races in 10 career final rounds as driver
* Won seven races in 14 final rounds as a team owner
* First top-10 season finish in 1999 (eighth)
* Finished career-high No. 3 in Funny Car points in 2000 with career-best three wins in seven final rounds
* Named Car Craft Magazine "Person of the Year" in 2000 for his contributions to drag racing
* Debuted WWF Get R.E.A.L (Respect, Education, Achievement, Leadership) National Youth Education Program in 2001
* Nephew of drag racing pioneers and Hall of Fame members, Art and Jack Chrisman
WEEKEND SCHEDULE:
THURSDAY, Nov. 13 – PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSION at 1:30 p.m.
FRIDAY, Nov. 14 – PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSION at 1:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, Nov. 15 – PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
SUNDAY, Nov. 16 – Pre-race ceremonies begin at 10 a.m.
FINAL ELIMINATIONS begin at 11 a.m.
It’s been a long season for the California native who joined Don Schumacher Racing in 2008 and endured a year void of racing luck, despite driving a car that has demonstrated strong performances throughout the year. The one thing that has remained solid for Toliver is his hard-working crew. Led by crew chief Phil Shuler, the Rockstar Energy Drink team’s determination throughout the season has never been in question. Coming off a strong No. 3 qualifying effort at the last event in Las Vegas, Toliver wants to reward his crew with a victory.
“This is our one last shot to win that race for Rockstar Energy Drink, Don Schumacher Racing and the boys,” said Toliver, No. 15 in points. “So it’s a big race for me. The car has shown it has the ability to go out there and run with the best of them. The problem we’ve been having is consistency and taking our qualifying car and making it work on the first lap on race day.
“I’m excited about going back to Pomona, it’s easily my favorite track,” said Toliver, who has scored three of his career five wins there, including the first of his career. “My friends and family are always there and with the success I’ve had there in the past it’s always a fun place to go. Any time you’ve won somewhere I think you feel more confident at that race track. It’s now or never for the Rockstar Energy Drink team.”
JERRY TOLIVER QUICK FACTS:
* No. 15 in Funny Car point standings after 23 of 24 events in 2008
* Qualified No. 11, reached the quarterfinals at last year’s event
* First career Funny Car victory at NHRA Finals in 1999 (John Force)
* Won Winternationals in 2000 (Tony Pedregon) and 2004 (Gary Densham); has three career Funny Car wins at Pomona Raceway
* Made quickest run of the 2008 season in Joliet, Ill., 4.783 seconds
* Debuted new sponsor Rockstar Energy Drink at 2007 Las Vegas event
* Qualified second twice in 2008, at the season-opening Winternationals, tying for No. 1 with the quickest Funny Car run of the weekend (4.790 seconds) and in Memphis.
* Joined Don Schumacher Racing for the 2008 season
* No. 19 in 2007 Funny Car point standings after running limited schedule (19 races)
* Returned to Funny Car competition in 2007 after two-year hiatus with new sponsor Rockstar Energy Drink
* Qualified in the top half of the field twice last season; had top speed of the event in Denver
* Made Funny Car debut in 1998 running 12 races with sponsorship from MAD Magazine
* Earned first Funny Car national event win over John Force at 1999 NHRA Finals at Pomona
* Won inaugural race in Las Vegas 2000 as team owner for driver Jim Epler
* Won five races in 10 career final rounds as driver
* Won seven races in 14 final rounds as a team owner
* First top-10 season finish in 1999 (eighth)
* Finished career-high No. 3 in Funny Car points in 2000 with career-best three wins in seven final rounds
* Named Car Craft Magazine "Person of the Year" in 2000 for his contributions to drag racing
* Debuted WWF Get R.E.A.L (Respect, Education, Achievement, Leadership) National Youth Education Program in 2001
* Nephew of drag racing pioneers and Hall of Fame members, Art and Jack Chrisman
WEEKEND SCHEDULE:
THURSDAY, Nov. 13 – PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSION at 1:30 p.m.
FRIDAY, Nov. 14 – PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSION at 1:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, Nov. 15 – PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
SUNDAY, Nov. 16 – Pre-race ceremonies begin at 10 a.m.
FINAL ELIMINATIONS begin at 11 a.m.
