Hernandez reaches quarter-finals in Pro
Extreme at Valdosta
VALDOSTA, Ga. –
Josh Hernandez was more than ready to race
on Saturday night when the rains began to
fall on South Georgia Motorsports Park
during the season-opening ADRL Winter Drags.
In fact, Hernandez was next in line to run
when race officials gave the signal to cease
competition.
Hernandez had a
little over 14 hours to think about his game
plan to reinvigorate the momentum that had
propelled him into the top half of the
quickest-ever ADRL Pro Extreme field.
Considering his
first outing in 2005 resulted in an untimely
crash, a top four qualifying position and a
quarter-final finish is a good way to embark
on his second season as a Pro Modified
driver.
“We’re a bit
disappointed that we didn’t win today,”
Hernandez said. “No one ever comes to the
race track to lose. We are appreciative for
the great performance our team turned in
today and while we didn’t take home the
trophy, we have a great baseline to tune for
in two weeks during the event in Houston.
This is a positive outing in which to build
momentum for the season.”
Hernandez
entered eliminations as the fourth quickest
in a field that featured 14 three-second
qualified. The RacingJunk.com-sponsored
driver from Conroe, Texas recorded an
impressive 3.955, 187.13 to land in the
upper echelon of the 16-car Pro Extreme
program.
Hernandez
recorded a personal best to take out first
round opponent Eddie Ware as he blistered
the racing surface with a 3.913, 189.28.
Ware fought to keep his car in the lane and
eventually lifted.
The second round
didn’t provide as positive an outcome for
Hernandez as he was slower in reacting
against Mike Neal and lost by a 3.987 to
3.960 margin.
