Hernandez Earns Provisional #2, Misses #1 by a Thousandth in Englishtown

Englishtown, N.J. (June 17, 2005) – Freshman Pro Modified driver Joshua Hernandez is sitting in the No. 2 qualifying position after two rounds at the 36th Annual K&N Filters NHRA Supernationals in Englishtown, New Jersey. After earning the No. 1 qualifying position last weekend in Joliet, Ill., Hernandez is hoping to make a repeat performance this weekend behind the wheel of the Tommy Lipar Racing Dr. Moon’s Rage ’57 Bel Air.

Hernandez drove a near perfect run straight down the quarter mile, posting a blistering 6.098 second, 231.17 mile per hour pass. Catching his breath, Hernandez said, “That was a stout run.”

Hernandez was only one-thousandth off of Shelly Pane’s 6.097 second time, just missing the No. 1 spot.

“When Shelly ran a 6.097 while we were in the lanes, Howard [Moon, crew chief] made a few last minute adjustments to the engine and told me over the radio, ‘hold on, we’re shooting for an eight,’” he said.

Although the team didn’t run a 6.08, there were definitely ‘high fives’ in the pit as the car returned to the pit for servicing.

“The team did an awesome job setting up the car and getting things ready to go. They had it dialed in all the way.

“What I really want to do is make it all the way to the winner’s circle this week. Howard has things so well tuned and is keeping this car so consistent, I have a really good feeling about this weekend,” he said.

In just his first year of driving a Pro Modified car, Hernandez has already tasted victory, winning in his hometown of Houston, Texas in front of sponsors, family and friends. Since that race, Hernandez has qualified for eliminations at every race, proving the Dr. Moon’s Rage team is a force to be reckoned with.

“Everything can change, but sitting number two tonight assures us that we’ll be racing in eliminations tomorrow,” he said.

The final round of Pro Modified qualifying is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park. Round one of eliminations is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. Final eliminations begin Sunday at 11:00 a.m. and run through the day.

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