Tate Branch Ennis preview

Branch & Etterman looking forward to first race as a team

ENNIS, Texas - Two of the top teams in NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car have teamed up and will make their debut during this weekend's Division 4 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series opener at the Texas Motorplex just south of Dallas. The newly formed Etterman & Branch racing team are looking forward to this weekend's race, and hope to make their debut a memorable one.

Tate Branch, the defending Division 4 Top Alcohol Funny Car Champion, hopes to stay in championship form this weekend. With the support of George and Jane Etterman and team sponsor Bar's Leaks, Branch feels confident about this weekend.

"Everyone on this team is pretty excited," said Branch, of Artesia, N.M. "It's a new year, and we're ready to hit the track. With a team like this behind me and the support of Bar's Leaks, you can't help but feel good. There's a lot of tough competition out there, and we'll have to be on our A-game to win another championship. First things first, we have to win this weekend, and that's our goal at the moment."

With cool conditions forecasted and racing on one of the fastest tracks in the country, Branch feels big numbers could be in store for this weekend.

"When you get in conditions like we should see this weekend and racing at the Texas Motorplex, there's no telling what my crew chief Dave Scheelk could can do," commented Branch. "We ran some 5.50's last year in similar conditions, so I hope we can repeat that kind of performance."

Qualifying begins on Friday for the alcohol cars, with two more sessions on Saturday. Final eliminations will conclude the event on Sunday. Stay tuned to InsideTopAlcohol.com for the latest news in alcohol racing.

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