St. Louis: Tony Pedregon final summary

DESPITE AN EARLY EXIT, TONY PEDREGON REMAINS 3RD IN POINTS CHASE Madison, Ill (May 6, 2007) -- Tony Pedregon, the 2003 NHRA World Funny Car Champion and defending 2006 NHRA Midwest Nationals Nitro Funny Car Champion, qualified the Q Power NHRA ...

DESPITE AN EARLY EXIT, TONY PEDREGON REMAINS 3RD IN POINTS CHASE

Madison, Ill (May 6, 2007) -- Tony Pedregon, the 2003 NHRA World Funny Car Champion and defending 2006 NHRA Midwest Nationals Nitro Funny Car Champion, qualified the Q Power NHRA Nitro Funny Car in the No. 4 position with a stout 4.855 at 318.39 mph at the 11th Annual O'Reilly NHRA Midwest Nationals held in Madison, Illinois, May 4-6, 2007. Pedregon, the veteran Funny Car pilot was expecting to go rounds on Sunday.

"We were encouraged after qualifying," said Pedregon. "The car was consistent, just like we expected."

For Pedregon and the Q Power team, the unexpected came in the first round. Paired with Del Worsham, Pedregon got the jump at the light, and then both lanes lost traction. "We set the car up just like we did in qualifying and for some unknown reason, it knocked the tires loose," stated Pedregon. "We are determined to find the source of the problem. We have a feeling the issue is with a clutch disc which is keeping us from being more consistent."

"We are anxious to get to Bristol and get this car back on the track and winning races," stated the determined Pedregon. "We have the best equipment, products and sponsor support behind us. We are determined to deliver for them again."

As the Q Power Team heads for the O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, Tony Pedregon will be expecting to improve upon his 3rd place position in the Countdown to the Championship points.