Memphis: Tony Pedregon final summary

TONY PEDREGON AND THE Q POWER RACE TEAM REACH FINAL ROUND IN MEMPHIS

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (August 22, 2006) -- Tony Pedregon and the Q Power Race Team reached the final round in the NHRA Nitro Funny Car division at Memphis (TN) Motorsports Park during a special rain-delayed Monday event. This was Pedregon's fifth final round appearance in 2006. Pedregon's stellar performance, combined with his fifth-place qualifying effort, allowed the Q Power Team to continue to retain third place in the 2006 point standings, challenging Ron Capps in second and new points leader John Force for the 2006 World Championship.

"Overall I've got to be encouraged with the final round finish," Pedregon said after Monday's race. "I knew that we were capable of winning going into this race, regardless of the hot conditions. Coming to Memphis, at an O'Reilly event, to be able to beat a couple of good cars says a lot about the Q Power Team's continuing progress. John (Force, final round opponent) fired off a pretty good shot in the final, but next time around we'll be better prepared for him. We have a quick turn around this week, with our team driving from Memphis to Indy, then we'll test in Indy at O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis (formerly Indianapolis Raceway Park) tomorrow and Wednesday to gear up for our biggest race of the year next week, the U.S. Nationals. We're not resting this weekend either, as we're match racing in Cordova (Ill.) on Saturday. We've definitely got our sights set on being prepared for a win on Labor Day weekend."

NEXT EVENT: World Series of Drag Racing match race at Cordova Dragway Park in Cordova, IL (August 26)

NEXT NHRA EVENT: NHRA U.S. Nationals at O'Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis, Clermont, IN (August 30-Sept. 4)

-credit: pedregon racing