NHRA
Baton Rouge: Joe Fuentes preview
BATON ROUGE, La. - Just two weeks ago, second year Federal Mogul Dragster pilot Joe Fuentes made his first final round appearance at the NHRA Division 4 Federal Mogul Drag Racing Series event at the Texas Motorplex just south of Dallas. Fuentes ...
Edited: Apr 15, 2002, 11:45 PM
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BATON ROUGE, La. - Just two weeks ago, second year Federal Mogul Dragster pilot Joe Fuentes made his first final round appearance at the NHRA Division 4 Federal Mogul Drag Racing Series event at the Texas Motorplex just south of Dallas. Fuentes lost that round due to a clogged fuel line, but hopes to improve on that outing with a win during race three of the NHRA Division 4 FMDRS at State Capitol Dragway near Baton Rouge, La., this weekend.
Fuentes, of Austin, Texas, is quick to credit his successes this year to his veteran tuner Ora Vasquez, who over his career has worked with former champions such as the late Blaine Johnson (Four time NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster Champion) and Pat Austin (Four time NHRA Federal Mogul Funny Car Champion). With Vasquez's tuning ability behind him, Fuentes feels he could pick up his first win this weekend in Baton Rouge.
"We're just going to try to do our same deal this weekend," said Fuentes. "Ora will be with us again, so we're going to go after them. I hear that they have a new launch pad from last year, so everyone will be starting from scratch on the tuneup."
With Fuentes' shown ability to run with the top drivers in the class, Fuentes feels the outlook for the rest of the season is very promising.
"We're just going to keep on trying to make final rounds," stated Fuentes. "We know the car has the ability to win anywhere. We had a fuel hose that deteriorated and clogged a fuel jet in Dallas that kept us from a possible win. We've changed all of the fuel lines, and will be keeping an eye on the little things that can jump up and bite you."
If the new track surface can handle it, Fuentes feels that his Vasquez tuned Blown Alcohol Dragster can run the track's first 5.50 elapsed time this weekend, or possibly better.
"I'm pretty sure if the track can hold it, we're gonna run .50's," commented Fuentes. "I don't have any doubt about that. We might even run .40's if the track will let us."
Qualifying for the Federal Mogul Dragsters begins at 4 p.m. on Friday, with two more sessions following on Saturday. Final eliminations will conclude the event on Sunday starting at 11 a.m. Stay tuned to J&D Racing's award winning website
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