Low qualifier Hernandez donates Ohio Crankshaft bonus

DALLAS (Sept. 20) -- Reigning world champion Josh Hernandez collected his fifth Ohio Crankshaft Low Qualifier Award of the 2008 JEGS ProMod Challenge Saturday morning at the Texas Motorplex and promptly donated the $1,000 bonus to a special project chassis builder Tim McAmis has started.

In the wake of fellow Pro Mod racer Steve Engel's untimely death following his accident in Indianapolis earlier this month, McAmis launched an initiative to build a better Pro Mod chassis. Many of the drivers in the JEGS ProMod Challenge are backing the project and Hernandez decided to hand over his low qualifier check to help the cause.

"We're all hurting this weekend without Steve," Hernandez said. "His accident prompted Tim to go out and hire an engineer, at his own expense, to figure out how he can make safer racecars. It's similar to the Eric Medlen Project in Funny Car in that we're all in this together, regardless of sponsors or car types or chassis builders, to make the sport better. We can't have people dying out here.

"Tim said from the start that he'll share all of the information and data this engineer and the rest of his staff discover with everyone. I think that's the spirit of cooperation we need and donating this check is the least we can do."

Hernandez has been impressive at this weekend's 23rd annual Super Start Batteries NHRA Nationals, posting five-second passes in all three qualifying attempts. His best was a 5.964 at 242.02 mph, which means he'll lead the field into eliminations for the 13th time in his career.

"I've got the easy part," Hernandez said. "The real work is done by this very talented crew. The car's a dream to drive. We just need to keep doing what we're doing and keep ourselves in a position to defend our championship.

"This is a fun race for us because we're from Texas. We live down in the Houston area and it's been a tough week so it was good for us to get away for a few days and have some fun. Plus, Dave Wood, the owner of AMS Staff Leasing, our sponsor, is here as well."

Hernandez will face Taylor Lastor in Round 1. Lastor anchored the field with a 6.339 at 220.48 mph.