TOLIVER AND ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK TEAM EXPECT STRONG PERFORMANCE IN VIRGINIA
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TEMECULA, Calif. (Oct. 8, 2008) - Now that the Rockstar Energy Drink Dodge Charger R/T team has turned the corner following its strong and consistent performance in Memphis two weeks ago, driver Jerry Toliver is looking to parlay those positive results into a victory at this weekend's third annual Virginia NHRA Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park in Petersburg, Va.
Toliver made four solid, consistent passes in Memphis to qualify No. 2, equaling his best starting spot of the year at the February season-opener in Pomona, Calif. Despite losing the first round with the fourth quickest run of the session, it was clear that the team was headed in the right direction with the tune-up.
"We've got a pretty good performing race car right now," said Toliver, who is No. 15 in the points. "We qualified No. 2 in Memphis and we were extremely happy with that. But on Sunday we just were beat in a good, close drag race against Cruz Pedregon. The upside is that the Rockstar Energy Drink car went down the race track on every run.
"We've got three races left and I definitely want to win a race for my guys. When I say 'my guys' I mean my entire crew, my sponsor Rockstar Energy Drink and Don Schumacher Racing. Rockstar has remained very understanding and supportive and they haven't given up their faith in us. But my ultimate goal is to win a race for all of these people and that's what we're shooting for.
"Hopefully we can get off on the right foot Friday with a good first lap and be able to get after it that night and get a good qualifying position. The weather should be good there this time off year, so we're looking forward to it and we'll see what it brings us. The good thing is that we're going in with a good race car."
Although he's not in the Countdown to 1 playoffs, Toliver is still capable of helping DSR Funny Car teammates Jack Beckman (No. 2) and Ron Capps (No. 10) in their quest for a championship.
"I'm racing for my team and Rockstar Energy Drink," said Toliver. "If I can help my teammates, that's fantastic. I love all those guys. If we can help Capps and Beckman move up in the points then that's a mission accomplished, but never forget our No. 1 goal is to go out and win a race. As selfish as it may seem, I want to win a race for my crew guys. They've worked very hard and they deserve it."
JERRY TOLIVER QUICK FACTS:
* No. 15 in Funny Car point standings after 21 of 24 events in 2008
* Qualified No. 10 last year at Richmond, lost first round
* Made quickest run of the 2008 season in Joliet, Ill., 4.783 seconds
* Debuted new sponsor Rockstar Energy Drink at 2007 Las Vegas event
* Qualified second twice in 2008, at the season-opening Winternationals, tying for No. 1 with the quickest Funny Car run of the weekend (4.790 seconds) and in Memphis.
* Joined Don Schumacher Racing for the 2008 season
* Nineteenth in 2007 Funny Car point standings after running limited schedule (19 races)
* Returned to Funny Car competition in 2007 after two-year hiatus with new sponsor Rockstar Energy Drink
* Qualified in the top half of the field twice last season; had top speed of the event in Denver
* Made Funny Car debut in 1998 running 12 races with sponsorship from MAD Magazine
* Earned first Funny Car national event win over John Force at 1999 NHRA Finals at Pomona
* Won five races in 10 career final rounds as driver
* Won seven races in 14 final rounds as a team owner
* First top-10 season finish in 1999 (eighth)
* Finished career-high No. 3 in Funny Car points in 2000 with career-best three wins in seven final rounds
* Named Car Craft Magazine "Person of the Year" in 2000 for his contributions to drag racing
* Debuted WWF Get R.E.A.L (Respect, Education, Achievement, Leadership) National Youth Education Program in 2001
* Nephew of drag racing pioneers and Hall of Fame members, Art and Jack Chrisman
<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/j_toliver_112259.jpg" alt="j_toliver_112259" align="left"borders="0"/>
TEMECULA, Calif. (Oct. 8, 2008) - Now that the Rockstar Energy Drink Dodge Charger R/T team has turned the corner following its strong and consistent performance in Memphis two weeks ago, driver Jerry Toliver is looking to parlay those positive results into a victory at this weekend's third annual Virginia NHRA Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park in Petersburg, Va.
Toliver made four solid, consistent passes in Memphis to qualify No. 2, equaling his best starting spot of the year at the February season-opener in Pomona, Calif. Despite losing the first round with the fourth quickest run of the session, it was clear that the team was headed in the right direction with the tune-up.
"We've got a pretty good performing race car right now," said Toliver, who is No. 15 in the points. "We qualified No. 2 in Memphis and we were extremely happy with that. But on Sunday we just were beat in a good, close drag race against Cruz Pedregon. The upside is that the Rockstar Energy Drink car went down the race track on every run.
"We've got three races left and I definitely want to win a race for my guys. When I say 'my guys' I mean my entire crew, my sponsor Rockstar Energy Drink and Don Schumacher Racing. Rockstar has remained very understanding and supportive and they haven't given up their faith in us. But my ultimate goal is to win a race for all of these people and that's what we're shooting for.
"Hopefully we can get off on the right foot Friday with a good first lap and be able to get after it that night and get a good qualifying position. The weather should be good there this time off year, so we're looking forward to it and we'll see what it brings us. The good thing is that we're going in with a good race car."
Although he's not in the Countdown to 1 playoffs, Toliver is still capable of helping DSR Funny Car teammates Jack Beckman (No. 2) and Ron Capps (No. 10) in their quest for a championship.
"I'm racing for my team and Rockstar Energy Drink," said Toliver. "If I can help my teammates, that's fantastic. I love all those guys. If we can help Capps and Beckman move up in the points then that's a mission accomplished, but never forget our No. 1 goal is to go out and win a race. As selfish as it may seem, I want to win a race for my crew guys. They've worked very hard and they deserve it."
JERRY TOLIVER QUICK FACTS:
* No. 15 in Funny Car point standings after 21 of 24 events in 2008
* Qualified No. 10 last year at Richmond, lost first round
* Made quickest run of the 2008 season in Joliet, Ill., 4.783 seconds
* Debuted new sponsor Rockstar Energy Drink at 2007 Las Vegas event
* Qualified second twice in 2008, at the season-opening Winternationals, tying for No. 1 with the quickest Funny Car run of the weekend (4.790 seconds) and in Memphis.
* Joined Don Schumacher Racing for the 2008 season
* Nineteenth in 2007 Funny Car point standings after running limited schedule (19 races)
* Returned to Funny Car competition in 2007 after two-year hiatus with new sponsor Rockstar Energy Drink
* Qualified in the top half of the field twice last season; had top speed of the event in Denver
* Made Funny Car debut in 1998 running 12 races with sponsorship from MAD Magazine
* Earned first Funny Car national event win over John Force at 1999 NHRA Finals at Pomona
* Won five races in 10 career final rounds as driver
* Won seven races in 14 final rounds as a team owner
* First top-10 season finish in 1999 (eighth)
* Finished career-high No. 3 in Funny Car points in 2000 with career-best three wins in seven final rounds
* Named Car Craft Magazine "Person of the Year" in 2000 for his contributions to drag racing
* Debuted WWF Get R.E.A.L (Respect, Education, Achievement, Leadership) National Youth Education Program in 2001
* Nephew of drag racing pioneers and Hall of Fame members, Art and Jack Chrisman
