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Harold Martin Norwalk round 12 preview

In any racing series, there is one event every season that stands out from all the others. It is the one race that every competitor, regardless of category, wants on his or her racing resume. In some cases, a win at that particular event can be ...

Published: Aug 26, 2005, 6:38 PM

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In any racing series, there is one event every season that stands out from all the others. It is the one race that every competitor, regardless of category, wants on his or her racing resume. In some cases, a win at that particular event can be almost as significant as winning the championship.

For the competitors in the Hooters Drag Racing Series, this weekend?s Skull Gear World Nationals represents such an event. It is the IHRA?s 230-mph equivalent to the Super Bowl, with every team, including Harold Martin and the ACDelco Pro Mod Racing team, setting their sights squarely on ending their weekend in the Norwalk Raceway Park winner?s circle.

However, Martin?s race will effectively start before he even leaves the Martin Motorsports shop in New Hudson, MI. Preparations will include a detailed examination of their race car, as well as extensive work on the team?s 2,600-horsepower engines. In addition to supervising these activities, the EFI Wizard will spend long hours setting his strategy for the weekend, giving his team their direction for racing in Ohio.

?Being a high-profile team with sponsors such as ACDelco involved, all the races seem to be big ones, and we certainly stage ourselves to get up for every one,? stated Martin. ?But clearly the Norwalk race deserves special attention, not only because it is the home of the IHRA, but also because it is a world-class facility, probably the best we get to race on during the course of the season, producing a huge turnout in both the professional and sportsman categories. It is a race that all the pros look forward to going to and doing well.

?In terms of strategy, we know we have tested our ACDelco Pontiac at Norwalk Raceway Park and run well there, so we will reflect more on our notes and use them as our guideline. One of the perks we have going in is that we are not looking to reinvent the wheel. We are looking, instead, to use a proven set-up and refine it to the atmosphere that?s there.?

2. ACDelco Crew Ready for a Final, Four-Race Push

With four races remaining in the 2005 season, every team is preparing to make their final push in the championship standings. In the unpredictable world of Pro Modified racing, anything can happen, as evidenced by current points leader, Shannon Jenkins, failing to make the race in Martin, MI, two weeks ago. With the 2005 title chase wide open, and his team still within striking distance, Martin knows every round is crucial, and brings a take-no-prisoners attitude to Norwalk this weekend.

?Pro Modified is a great reflection of one of my motivational phrases and that is ?Success is failure inside out,? said Martin. ?This class continually offers great examples of the extreme highs and lows that this sport has to offer, as well as the tremendous challenge of putting this awesome amount of power to the ground with such a short wheelbase car. It is something that every top competitor in this class has experienced at one time or another in their career.

?As racers, we know that we are vulnerable at any time, opening the championship to all of us in the Top Ten. Certainly, this ACDelco team is going to Norwalk with a positive attitude and a great deal of confidence, knowing that our program has the potential to be as quick as anyone in the world. Therefore, we are going to hope that our ducks line up this weekend, and if they do, we are going to shine and do well.?

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