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Cordova: Chevrolets aiming for success

General Motors Versus Ford/Mercury Rivalry to Enter Fourth Round at Cordova; Chevrolets Ready to Grab Their Piece of The Pie CORDOVA, Ill. - When you look at the scorecard for the 2001 IHRA Sunoco Pro Stock season, it appears that the race for ...

Edited: Apr 15, 2002, 11:45 PM

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General Motors Versus Ford/Mercury Rivalry to Enter Fourth Round at Cordova;
Chevrolets Ready to Grab Their Piece of The Pie

CORDOVA, Ill. - When you look at the scorecard for the 2001 IHRA Sunoco Pro Stock season, it appears that the race for supremacy has been totally conquered by the Mercury brand, a proud member of the Ford contingent. The Chevrolet fraternity will quickly attest, that the battle is not over until it's over; especially now that they have their new Cavaliers running fast.

Case in point. At the recently completed IHRA Canadian Nationals in Grand Bend, Ontario, Angelo Alesci stepped up to the plate for the Bowtie brigade and became the first of the GM entries to reach a final round. Had it not have been for an oil leak, the Citgo-sponsored John Montecalvo might have had the opportunity to battle him for that spot.

Just a year ago, the Chevrolets were in domination of the Sunoco Pro Stock division and last year's event in Cordova was one of the several battles that came out in their favor. The Center Moriches, N.Y.-based, asphalt paving company owner Montecalvo expects good fortunes for the Chevrolet camp this weekend for the Amalie Oil Summer Nationals.

"Angelo is leading the way and proves that we have the ingredients to make a statement," explained Montecalvo, who posted a quarter-final finish at last year's event. "I think we both have what it takes to be on top. We're making up a lot of ground. The Fords have had a year or so to pioneer the cars that they are in now. We're still in the learning stages, but we are learning at a rapid rate. This race will be the turning point. Someone has to reel in that fisherman's kid and hopefully it is me."

The fisherman's kid, of course, is Gene Wilson, who has pushed a Mercury Cougar to an undefeated season thus far. Montecalvo points out that Wilson is not the only object in his sights these days.

"As far as Tommy Lee goes, I think Tommy's going to be singing 'who let the Cavaliers out.' We haven't forgotten about him with Gene's success. He's number two in the points and certainly a force to be reckoned with."

All in all, regardless of what the season scoreboard says at the present, Montecalvo feels that Chevrolet has given him a ride worthy of the Winner's Circle this season.

Montecalvo explained, "We know that GM has given us a good car and a winning combination. We are learning the potential of the car and the more we learn, the more we like it. Hopefully we can go out and set the pace with our new cars."

For more information on the stars of drag racing, visit the largest Internet e-zine devoted to drag racing at www.competitionplus.com.

-CP-

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