Hernandez Sees Red in Quarter-final at Madison

Madison, Ill. (June 26, 2005) – According to the timing system at Gateway International Raceway, Tommy Lipar Racing driver Joshua Hernandez left the starting line .033 seconds early in his second round loss to Zach Barklage in the Sears Craftsman NHRA Nationals in Madison, Illinois. Hernandez, however, was left shaking his head.

“I have no idea what happened,” Hernandez said. “I left at exactly the same time I’ve left fifty other times – but this time it was red. I just don’t understand.”

Hernandez has left the starting line early two other times in his Pro Modified rookie year. In the first round of eliminations in Englishtown, New Jersey, Hernandez went red against Thomas Patterson, and suffered a similar fate against Chip King in Belle Rose, Louisiana.

“I have not claimed to be perfect – I’m far from that. This time, though, something had to have been changed,” he explained.

Adding insult to injury, Hernandez ran a session-low time of 6.188 in his defeat, consistent with the numbers he’s been running all weekend. Also, top-qualifier Jay Payne smoked the tires and lost in his round, leaving the door open for the Dr. Moon’s Rage team to take home another Iron Eagle.

“Red is red, there’s no doubt about that,” he said, shaking his head. “I just want to find out what is different in the set-up and be sure that the next time I get to the line in an elimination round, things are exactly the same as when we qualified.

“Ultimately, I was driving, and I am responsible. I’m not blaming anyone other than myself. My goal is to win, and in order to do that, I need to know what needs to be fixed – whether it’s me or the car,” he said.

Hernandez has said several times that this year has been a season of firsts, and this is just another line on his list. A list he’d rather be adding winning experiences to, but a list that he knows is making him a better driver for the future.

He said, “Every time I get into the car, I try to improve on the last time – so I plan to get together with Howard, Tommy and the guys and make sure we’re all on the same page. From there, its on to another race.”

The Tommy Lipar Racing ’57 Chevy Bel Air heads to Belle Rose, Louisiana for the Flowmaster ADRL Torco Gear Summer Drags, July 8-10.

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