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GM Racing Richmond summary

ECOtec Horsepower Charges to Strong Richmond Performance Lummus Wins HOT ROD in Pontiac, Ladwig Advances to Pro FWD Final in Chevrolet DINWIDDIE, Va., April 23, 2006 - The NHRA Sport Compact Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park hosted a strong ...

ECOtec Horsepower Charges to Strong Richmond Performance
Lummus Wins HOT ROD in Pontiac, Ladwig Advances to Pro FWD Final in Chevrolet

DINWIDDIE, Va., April 23, 2006 - The NHRA Sport Compact Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park hosted a strong showing by GM-branded cars and ECOtec horsepower including a win and both ends of the national record in the HOT ROD category, and a runner-up in the Pro FWD division.

Defending NHRA Sport Compact champion Ron Lummus drove an ECOtec-powered Pontiac to his first victory of the year in HOT ROD and set both ends of the national record in the process. Limited to one session of time trials because of Saturday's rainout, Lummus entered Sunday's race in the No. 1 position after his Pontiac posted an 8.150 e.t. at 179.44 mph.

In round one of eliminations, Lummus defeated Mike Crawford with an 8.139 second run at 179.09 mph. Receiving a bye round in the second session, Lummus' Pontiac set both ends of the national record with an 8.030 e.t. at 179.78 mph. The finals belonged to Lummus when Stephane Beauregard left before Lummus had even staged. Lummus' winning time was 8.101 seconds at 178.76 mph. It was the 10th career victory and the 15th career final-round appearance for the driver of the ECOtec-powered Garrett Turbo Pontiac.

"It feels great," said Lummus. "I was hoping Frenchy (Beauregard) would come back to the line, and then when he didn't, I just waited for him to clear the track so I could run. I think the mph is right there for the car. I was very happy with Virginia Motorsports Park."

Marty Ladwig advanced to his 23rd career final-round appearance with a runner-up performance in his ECOtec-powered Lucas Oil Chevy Cobalt. The two-time NHRA Sport Compact champion entered eliminations qualified in the No. 2 spot after posting an 8.088 elapsed time at 179.80 mph. In round one, Ladwig defeated fellow Chevy Cobalt driver Gary Gardella with a 7.872 second run at 186.64 mph, and in the second session, Ladwig's Chevy Cobalt knocked off Ron Townsend with an 8.646 second run at 143.72 mph. In the championship round, Ladwig's Chevrolet certainly posted the better elapsed time with a run of 7.886 seconds at 182.70 mph, but Ed Bergenholtz launched first off the starting line and took the holseshot victory with an 8.043 e.t. at 191.70 mph.

"I'm starting to feel back at home in this racecar," said Ladwig. "Regardless of the outcome of the final round, we had a great weekend, and Ed (Bergenholtz) did a tremendous job on the starting line.

"We did everything we could to get this car ready for West Palm, got some points there and then came into this race with our Chevy Cobalt running the two best times of the weekend - outstanding! I love this Chevrolet. I know exactly what it's going to do and I know pretty much what to expect on every pass. We're going to win some races this year and we're looking forward to our next shot at Englishtown (N.J.)."

The next event on the NHRA Xplod Sport Compact Drag racing tour is the Nitto NHRA Springnationals in Englishtown, N.J. on May 6- 7.

-gm racing0

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