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RAGE '57 debut sets
highs and lows at Superbowl
February 5,
2005 - Houston, TX - The first qualifying effort for
the recently named driver of Tommy Lipar's newest hot rod
proved to be encouraging as Joshua Hernandez wheeled the
team's new '57 Chevy, in Dr. Moon's RAGE trim, to a 6.19
second pass, taking the #1 qualifying position at the 13th
Annual Pro Stock Superbowl. After taking out Roy
Hill in round one with low elapsed time of the meet, 6.13,
Joshua met up with local veteran Pro Mod racer Frankie
Taylor in the semi-finals. Things intensified when
both drivers attacked the rapidly cooling track as the sun
settled on the horizon. Both drivers left the line
straight and then, in an seemingly choreographed maneuver,
both cars darted to the right, leaving Hernandez hugging
the wall and Taylor crossing the centerline. Both
cars then turned hard left and Taylor's '63 Corvette began
to roll, striking the retaining wall while upside down.
Hernandez struggled to regain control of the '57 as it
slid across the track and made contact with the wall on
the left rear of the car. "All I could see were
sparks and the bottom of Frankie's car about ten feet in
front of me," says Hernandez, "Luckily, I didn't run into
him, I was doing everything I could not to... I pulled the
'chutes and tried to steer away from him. My car was
sliding on the bent wheelie bars and I was just along for
the ride with a front-row seat of Frankie rolling and
spinning on his lid." Both drivers emerged from
their cars uninjured and were checked and released by the
medics. Damage to Taylor's Corvette is extensive
while the '57's damage appears to be confined to the left
rear quarter, wheelie bars, and where the front end hit
debris flying from Taylor's car. Hernandez expressed
his thoughts about the incident, "I'm glad no one was
injured and, obviously, I feel horrible about the accident
especially after doing so well so far. To let the team
down by banging up the car is the worst fear as a new
driver." Both teams are hoping to have their cars
repaired prior to the season opening AMS Pro Mod Challenge
in Gainesville, FL in March.
Ron Muenkes, driving his new '59
Corvette, was named the winner as he was unopposed
in the finals due to the accident.
Videographer, Miranda Reneau, captured
the incident on video.
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