Stivers wins his first AMS Eagle in Richmond
DINWIDDE, Va. (October 7, 2007) - It was an early birthday present for BAE/Stivers HVAC-driver Rick Stivers as he won his first-ever AMS Pro Mod Challenge event title at the Torco Racing Fuels NHRA Nationals in Richmond, Va.
As Stivers' wife, Jill, and son, Rick Jr., raced to congratulate the newly crowned event champion, tears of joy flowed as the family celebrated the win. Stivers defeated Raymond Commisso in the final, with Commisso handing Stivers the win before the round even started by leaving the line early and forfeiting the match.
"It's been a long road getting here and no one knows how hard we've worked and what we have been through to get here," Stivers said. "What an awesome thing - I'm almost speechless, which, for anyone who knows me, is nothing short of a miracle in itself.
"Chuck Ford [crew chief] really got this car running well this weekend. It's been such a long season, and we just couldn't buy a break, but, today it all came together, and thanks to Tim Tindle and Brad Anderson, we finally earned our Eagle," he said.
Stivers, who turns 50 this coming Thursday, October 11, was given a surprise birthday party Saturday night by his family and team. His wife Jill said, "Hey, what better way to celebrate than to start the party early," and her husband said he couldn't have asked for a better gift than to win his first major event.
After qualifying No. 7, Stivers defeated 2006 AMS World Champion Jay Payne in round one, 6.099/237.00 to 7.464/134.51, and advanced to beat Mike Stawicki in round two, 6.086/236.75 to 6.418/229.20. In the semifinals, Stivers sent teammate Tim Tindle back to the trailer, running a 6.156/234.04 to Tindle's tire shaking 9.189/105.
"It's been 15 years waiting and working for this, and I have to say that the ride home to Kentucky will be the best ride we've ever had coming home from a race. I've won some bracket races, but never anything like this, and it feels great," Stivers said.
"I had really hoped I would make the ProCare Rx Clash so I could try to win that $25,000 cash, but, winning this weekend definitely takes the sting away from not making that show. This trophy means so much, I really don't know what to say.
"I'm new to this winning stuff, but I think I could get used to it. They say the first one is the hardest to get, and that's true. Now, I'm heading to Vegas with the hopes of winning another before the season is over," Stivers said.
Stivers and family head next to Las Vegas for the final race in the 2007 AMS Pro Mod Challenge, October 25-27.
