TLR
opens 2006 AMS Pro Mod Challenge with quarter-final
finish
GAINESVILLE. Fla. – Josh
Hernandez found out today that a racecar sometimes
has a mind of its own. The Conroe, Texas-based
driver battled an attraction of the center-line
during the second round of eliminations at the NHRA
ACDelco Gatornationals, the first event on the
ten-race NHRA AMS Pro Modified Challenge presented
by RPM Depot. Hernandez beat Shelly Anderson off of
the starting line but was forced to lift as his 1968
Camaro drifted close to the centerline.
Hernandez may only be in his
second season of driving Pro Modified, but today he
handled the potentially dangerous situation like a
seasoned veteran.
“She just kept picking up the
front wheels and going left,” Hernandez said. “You
can only correct these things so much before you get
in trouble. I wanted to win badly but not at the
cost of bending our new racecar.”
Hernandez was certainly in
control of his own destiny by qualifying fifth
quickest among 22 entries with a 6.099, 234.25.
Hernandez, the defending NHRA AMS
Pro Modified Challenge Rookie of the Year, opened
eliminations with a convincing victory over Steve
Engel. Engel may have been first off of the starting
line but that served only as a minor setback as
Hernandez thundered by for victory with a 6.090,
234.13.
Hernandez faced a tough challenge
in the quarter-finals by lining up opposite
second-generation drag racer Shelly Payne. He rose
to the occasion by snagging nearly .06 of a starting
line advantage. Hernandez appeared to be headed for
certain victory until erratic tire-shake ended his
day with an off-pace 6.537.
Hernandez and the Tommy Lipar
Racing team heads to Baytown, Texas in two weeks for
NHRA's O'Reilly Spring Nationals, where Hernandez is
the defending 2005 event champion.
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