Brainerd: Richie Stevens Jr Saturday summary

STEVENS SCORES 10TH IN BRAINERD QUALIFYING

BRAINERD, Minn. (Aug. 13, 2005) - Richie Stevens Jr., steering the Team Mopar/Valspar HEMI-powered Dodge Stratus R/T, made four solid qualifying runs amid ideal weather conditions at Brainerd International Speedway, qualifying 10th in the Pro Stock class for the NHRA Lucas Oil Nationals.

Under overcast skies and in cool temperatures, Stevens' best qualifying effort came during Saturday's second session. The final qualifying pass produced a 6.735-second elapsed time at 204.60 mph. The other runs by the Bob Glidden-tuned Dodge were 6.803/203.83, a 6.749/204.39 and a 6.745/204.85.

"We made four good, consistent runs," said the New Orleans native who is seeking his first season victory. "We need a little bit of luck on our side for once. We haven't had it, but tomorrow would be a good day to start it."

"The team's not in the top half, which would have been a benefit, because it seems like it's a one-lane track out there," said Stevens. "The left lane seems to be a hundredth-and-a-half or two (of a second) better than the right."

"We're still making the field every race, so that's a plus. I'll see if we can pull off an upset first thing in the morning," he said of his first-round match-up against Jason Line in eliminations.

On how Glidden's success at BIR (four victories in 1983, 1985, 1986 and 1992 as a driver) may be an advantage: "He has a pretty good understanding of this place," said Stevens. "We made four good runs in each car down the track (including his teammate and No. 9 qualifier Jeg Coughlin, whose car is also tuned by Glidden). He may have a little bit of an advantage over other crew chiefs at this track."

-dsr-