Millington: Valvoline/Eagle One preview

Pro Stock: Krisher's Qualifying Streak Hits 65

Ron Krisher has qualified for 65 consecutive NHRA Pro Stock events going into this weekend's event at Memphis. Since Warren Johnson failed to qualify at Somona, ending a 303-race consecutive qualifying streak, Krisher's effort in the Eagle One Chevrolet Cavalier tops the Pro Stock class. Krisher has seven poles this season and won at Las Vegas.

Krisher's qualifying streak dates back to the year 2000 season-opener at Pomona. Pro Stock may well be the most competitive racing series in the world, with between 34-37 cars typically trying for the 16 qualifying positions. Krisher was one of only four drivers to qualify for all 24 NHRA events in 2001.

Krisher owns his own drag racing engine development company, KRJ, located in Newark, Ohio. His company supplies engines to Pro Stock competitors Tom Hammonds and V. Gaines. Before entering Pro Stock, Krisher raced sports cars on road courses and sprint cars on dirt, and he's a self-made entrepreneur.

Krisher on his qualifying success: "We've got a bunch of people working together to come up with ideas on how to make this Eagle One Cavalier run better. You don't know from track-to-track how these motors will work. Oh, sure, you've got an idea, but sometimes other people will gain more than you will gain. We've got a lot of horsepower, and a tremendous engine development program, and a tremendous group of people working together to make it happen."

Top Fuel: Russell Has 34th Birthday Friday

Driver Darrell Russell celebrates his 34th birthday Friday (Sept. 20) at Memphis.

Russell made the semifinals in last Monday's rain-delayed Lucas Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway. He has three victories this season and is fifth in Top Fuel points. At a U.S. Nationals news conference, it was announced Russell and crew chief Wayne Dupuy signed three-year contract extensions with owner Joe Amato -- through 2005. Bilstein Engine Flush will continue as primary sponsor, with Valvoline and Keystone Automotive as associate sponsors.

Continuing one of the most successful partnerships in modern motor racing, Valvoline returns in 2002 for the 19th season as a sponsor of Joe Amato's Top Fuel team. From 1984 through his retirement after the 2000 campaign, Valvoline's technical, product and financial support helped Amato to five Top Fuel championships and 52 victories, both NHRA records. Darrell Russell added to the record in 2001, with two wins, and NHRA Rookie of the Year honors in Amato's dragster. Bilstein Engine Flush is Amato Racing's new primary sponsor.

NEXT EVENT: Craftsman 75th Anniversary Nationals, Route 66 Raceway, Joliet, Ill., Sept. 27-29.

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