TOLIVER QUALIFIES IN TOP HALF OF FIELD FOR THIRD CONSECUTIVE RACE IN BRAINERD

BRAINERD, Minn. (August 9, 2008) – Rockstar Energy Drink Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car driver Jerry Toliver may have found the consistency he's been looking for this season. He qualified No. 7 for the 27th annual NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway today, the third consecutive event he's made it into the top half of the field and the sixth time this year.

Toliver recorded his quickest run during Friday's cooler second session with an elapsed time of 4.190 seconds at 296.83 mph, good for No. 7 at the time. His other runs included a 5.027/153.40 (No. 12), a 4.797/168.87 (No. 7) and a 5.750/110.79 (No. 7).

The California native was clearly pleased with the Rockstar Energy Drink Dodge since the team's performance has been improving over the last several races.

"I knew that the Rockstar Energy Drink Dodge turned the corner in the performance department several races ago, and it's really starting to show now," said Toliver, who entered the race No. 15 in the Funny Car point standings. "We've got the early part of the run figured out and improving and doing better. We just need to step up the performance in the middle and the back half some more.

"It's a constant work in motion and you're never done or happy until you're No. 1 qualifier," he added. "I'm extremely pleased with the Rockstar Energy Drink guys and what we've done, but we've got to go rounds tomorrow. It's make-or-break time for us; put up or shut up. We're fighting for the top 10 and we're going to fight right up until the end."

Toliver will enjoy lane choice against No. 10 qualifier Cruz Pedregon in the first round of eliminations on Sunday.