NHRA
Celedon feels good about the Gators
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Ruben Celedon, driver of the Gabby's Pallets / Sikeston Dragstrip Chevrolet S-10 Pro Stock Truck, has been working hard in preparation for the running of the 32nd Annual Mac Tools Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla. March ...
Edited: Apr 15, 2002, 11:45 PM
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Ruben Celedon, driver of the Gabby's Pallets / Sikeston Dragstrip Chevrolet S-10 Pro Stock Truck, has been working hard in preparation for the running of the 32nd Annual Mac Tools Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla. March 15-18.
After a disappointing outing at the first race of the season in Pomona, Calif., Celedon and his team have spent innumerable hours working on their race truck in an effort to get his racing program back on track.
"I feel strong going into Gainesville," said Celedon of Edinburg, Texas. "I believe we have cured the problems we were experiencing in Pomona, and we are now ready to race."
Celedon sights parts breakage as the reason for not qualifying in Pomona, and has taken steps to cure the problem.
Celedon continued, "In Pomona we never made a good run. The truck broke on every lap out there. After Pomona, we went home to try to regroup for Gainesville and the rest of the season.
"Our motors went back to Schmidts (engine builder Steve Schmidt) to be freshened and fixed. Steve said that he has fixed our problems, and that the dyno numbers look even better than before. So, I feel better knowing that we will have the horsepower to qualify.
"Honestly, I was very impressed with the way the truck ran in Pomona. We had great 60 and 330-foot times. We were just had some bad luck with parts breakage and never got all the way down the track. Those things happen.
"I know that if we make solid runs we should be able to place this purple truck in the top half of the field in Gainesville. That is what we are working for. Now it is up to us to make good runs and get in the show. I have faith that we can do that.
"This team is giving 150 percent for our sponsors; Sikeston Dragstrip, Kent Services, and Gabby's Pallets. We want to qualify and go rounds for them, because without their help I would not be here. Any success we have on the racetrack is for them, not for me.
"If I get some luck this weekend the rest of these guys better watch out, because we are going to be hard to stop. I know we can win one of these things if the luck falls our way, and I'm feeling pretty lucky this weekend."
Qualifying at the 32nd Annual Mac Tools Gatornationals begins on Friday March 16, and continues on Sat. March 17. Eliminations will take place at 11:00 AM EST on Sunday March 18.
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