Joliet: Mark Whisnant preview

RW Performance Team travels to Chicago.

Joliet, Ill. -- Mark Whisnant, driver of the RW Performance Pro Stock Chevrolet Cavalier, will travel this weekend to Chicago, Ill. for the 5th Annual Chicagoland Dodger Dealers NHRA Nationals.

After making their first Pro Stock final round appearance in Topeka, Whisnant and Team RW, have every reason to arrive in Chicago feeling confident about qualifying for this event. However, the Stockbridge, Ga. native, remains cautiously optimistic about his chance here this weekend.

"Going to the final in Topeka was exciting, of course we would have liked to have won," said Whisnant, "but that was last week, and this is this week.

"It is a new week, and we are in a different city, and at a different racetrack. It could be a whole new ball game here at Route 66 Raceway, and that is how we have to approach this weekend's race.

"You keep hearing over and over again how tough this class is, and it's true. Where else is the number 1 qualifier and the Number 16 qualifier separated by .025 of a second. That makes just getting into the field an accomplishment.

"Keeping that in mind, we can not afford to take any race, or pass down the racetrack, for granted. We have to be perfect and make every round count, or we are going home. That by it's self is a lot of pressure. Then add the pressure of doing so well in our first season; that just magnifies things.

"This weekend everyone will be waiting for us to stumble again like we did after Gainesville. Considering the competitiveness of the class, it could happen; but we are going to do everything in our power to see that it does not.

"Right now my team is giving me a great racecar to drive. They are preparing this Cavalier to the best of their ability and I will drive the car to the best of my ability. Hopefully if we do everything right, and not let the pressure get to us, we can put together four good runs that will place us in Sunday's race."

Qualifying at the 5th annual Chicagoland Dodge Dealers NHRA Nationals will take place on Friday May 31, and continue on Saturday June 1. Eliminations will begin at 11:00 AM EST on Sunday June 2.

5th Annual Chicagoland Dodger Dealers NHRA Nationals

TV Schedule

Qualifying Highlights
Saturday June 1 8:30 -- 10:30 PM EST (ESPN2)

Eliminations Coverage
Sunday June 2 7:30 -- 10:00 PM EST (ESPN2)

Repeat Eliminations
Tuesday June 4 2:00 -- 4:30 PM EST (EPSN2)

-rwr-