TOLIVER MAKES THE NORWALK SHOW IN NO. 15 SPOT


NORWALK, Ohio (June 28, 2008) – Jerry Toliver made only one full run during qualifying at the Second Annual NHRA Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio, but it was good enough to qualify the Rockstar Energy Drink Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car in the No. 15 spot for Sunday's eliminations.

Toliver was limited to one day of qualifying after water began seeping onto the race track on Friday forcing the cancellation of Funny Car and Top Fuel qualifying. The California native laid down a run of 5.085 seconds at 278.12 mph on his first attempt to move into the No. 13 position. The Rockstar Energy Drink car experienced mechanical problems on his second attempt and Toliver failed to cross the finish line to record a time, ending the session in No. 15.

"Anytime you miss making laps it hurts," said Toliver, who is 16th in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Funny Car point standings. "On the first attempt we were the second car down the track and that's not a good spot to be in. We spun the tires and dropped some cylinders and it ran a 5.08. The guys that ran after us started figuring out the track. On the second lap we had a mechanical malfunction and it lifted the blower when I hit the throttle for some reason and we didn't get down the track. We don't know why, but basically we just got one lap.

"The Rockstar guys will address the problem and find out what the situation is and we'll march on with Rockstar tomorrow. It's like I always say, you've got to be in it to win it. I've won from the 15th spot before, so we're going to give it our best shot tomorrow and see what happens. Unfortunately, we've got my Don Schumacher Racing teammate Ron Capps in the first round and I don't like that. But it is what it is."