Joliet: Team Haas Friday notes

Joliet, Ill. - - It is a weekend of reckoning for Jerry Haas, from Fenton, Mo., owner of the Jerry Haas Race Cars Chevy S-10, as the NHRA Lucas Oil Products Nationals begins to unfold with professional qualifying taking center stage today at Route 66 Raceway.

"This race will mark the midpoint of the truck schedule. Thus far we have not been a bell ringer when it comes to performance. We must change that trend and begin to perform at a level that will allows us to qualify at each and every event and then go rounds. We must direct our own future for the final seven events and it must start with an improved performance here at Route 66 Raceway. If an improvement is not forthcoming, then it may be necessary to make changes that will insure that we achieve our goals for this race program," said Haas.

"I want to emphasize that Matt (Rhoades) continues to improve with each pass down the track, but he cannot get the job done if we don't provide him with the equipment to do that job. It is up to me to make that happen," concluded Haas.

Of the 40 drivers who have attempted to qualify at least once during the season, Haas' driver, Matt Rhoades, from Lake Havasu City, Ariz., currently occupies the 22nd position in the NHRA Winston Pro Stock Truck standings. He qualified for his first professional event at the SummitRacing.com Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in April.

"We should be in the top ten in Winston points," added Haas. "Our immediate goal will be to rebound and finish the season firmly in the top 15 and with luck and good performance maybe break into the top ten. Then we can consider the season somewhat successful."

Professional qualifying for this edition of the Lucas Oil Products Nationals will take place Friday with two Pro Stock Truck qualifying sessions scheduled for 4 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. (CT) and conclude on Saturday with two additional sessions at noon and 2:50 p.m. (CT). Final eliminations for all classes will take to the track at 11 a.m. (CT) on Sunday.

-Team Haas k