TOLIVER DROPS CLOSE FIRST-ROUND PEDALFEST IN NORWALK

NORWALK, Ohio (June 29, 2008) – Rockstar Energy Drink Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car driver Jerry Toliver lost a close first-round tire-smoking battle to Don Schumacher Racing teammate Ron Capps at the Second Annual NHRA Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio. Toliver remained 16th in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Funny Car point standings.

Toliver launched hard off the starting line, but the Rockstar Energy Drink Dodge lost traction several hundred feet down track. As Toliver struggled to recover, Capps' NAPA car also smoked its tires. Both drivers fought to get a hold of the racing surface, pedaling their way to the finish line. Toliver's elapsed time of 6.295 seconds at 193.74 mph was not enough to hold off Capps' winning 5.688/241.41.

"Today we had a golden opportunity to move up in the points," said Toliver. "A couple of guys in front of us weren't in the show and a lot of guys went out during the first round that we could have passed. The Rockstar guys are really trying and we're working hard over here. We'll buck up and go to Denver and see if we can get this thing turned around. We've got time. We only need to do well at a race or two to get us up there in the points."

The top 10 in the standings begin to compete in the Countdown to the Championship following the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis on Labor Day weekend.

"The Rockstar Energy Drink boys will go back to the shop and get things figured out and hopefully we'll start turning the corner in Denver,” said Toliver.

Next up is the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals in Denver, July 11-13.