HERNANDEZ CONCLUDES WEEKEND AS SEMI-FINALIST;

Concludes season as third-ranked in NHRA AMS Pro Modified

LAS VEGAS - AMS RAGE Pro Modified driver Josh Hernandez fought his way to a semi-final finish and climbed as high as third place in the season point standings. Hernandez was one of four drivers entering this weekend's NHRA ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals with a mathematical chance of winning the championship.

Hernandez was determined to do his part to run the table on the championship contenders. His crewchief Howard Moon, now a two-time crewchief of the year winner, provided him with the clout to drive the team's 1968 Camaro to the number one qualifying position. A controversial semi-final match with Jay Payne concluded the weekend for the defending Rookie of the Year.

"I am disappointed with the way our season ended with that particular race," Hernandez said. "The matter is behind me and all I can say is that I am disappointed with the way it ended. But one race can't dampen the tremendous season that we've experienced. I am very proud of this team."

Hernandez fell short of nailing a seventh final round of the season but registered his second consecutive semi-final appearance. Just one week a ago, Hernandez registered the first five-second run in Pro Modified history with a 5.990.

Hernandez has reached twelve final rounds in just two seasons as a Pro Modified driver.

Hernandez let his intentions be known from the first rap of the throttle on Friday by driving to the top qualifying position with a 6.084 elapsed time.

Hernandez opened eliminations with a single pass when Rick Stivers suffered breakage. He drove his way to a winning 6.136, 236.09. he turned up the wick in the second round with a 6.121, 235.31 to dispose of Mike Bell.

What promised to be the match of the event never materialized in the semis when Hernandez rolled the beams too early and fouled.