Stivers sees red in Bristol, Looks to improve in Indy

BRISTOL, Tenn. - Heading into the summer break from AMS Pro Modified competition, Rick Stivers, driver of the'68 Pro Modified Camaro, was hoping to be riding the momentum of his first event win, but a red light start in the first round of competition at the O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Nationals is forcing him to regroup instead before the next event over the Labor Day holiday.

The Lexington, Kentucky resident has spent the entire year refining and building his racing operation, including his purchase of a new car and adding the world champion-winning tuning expertise of Chuck Ford. In less than the blink of an eye, however, Stivers' plans were knocked back a quarter-mile with the flicker of the staging bulb and the anticipation of cutting a light against series-dominating Josh Hernandez.

"There's no denying I was looking to leave Josh at the line," Stivers said. "When he flickered the bottom staging bulb, I brought my engine RPM's up, and just couldn't hold onto it until he actually staged.

"Bottom line - I let that one go," he said.

Adding insult to injury, Hernandez actually broke a blower belt just after his launch, and limped across the finish line.

"It just drives me crazy - he was there for the taking. But, it's my fault, and I know it. These things have a way of coming back, though, and I know that I'll have another shot at him - and then, he knows I'll be gunning for him," he said.

Now, with more than seven weeks until the next AMS race, Stivers is planning to use the time to test and continue improving his program.

"Getting beaten doesn't mean I go away and sulk - it just gets me that much more motivated to work harder. Tim Tindle Chuck Ford and I have been talking about the rest of this year, and I have been working hard to make sure I've got all the right pieces in place for the future.

"I do this because I love to race, and I'm a competitor - period. For me, the thrill and challenge get me going, and I'm just working to advance in what I love," Stivers said.

"I'll get an [AMS event trophy] Eagle soon enough, and if it's over Hernandez in the next lane, that will make it even sweeter for me. I don't blame him for my quick reaction, but, I really do want to beat him, and I hope I get the chance in Indy," he said.

The next race for Stivers and the Stivers HVAC Camaro is in Indianapolis at the Mac Tools NHRA US Nationals, August 30 -September 3.