Leicester: Dwayne Rice race review

LEICESTER, NY - Dwayne Rice has a steady trek going in his pursuit of the 2000 IHRA Championship. The former Modified competitor has not missed an opportunity this season to progress both in tuning his Firebird Pro Stock car, and adding points to his number eight position going. The series nears the halfway point and Rice made his marks at the IHRA CARQUEST Empire Nationals this weekend as the IHRA series continues in New York.

He still wants more.

"I don't think I'll be fully satisfied until we get into the winner's circle," explained Rice. "We're going to keep hammering away and we'll make it happen. I believe we are ready for it now. However, destiny has the final say-so in the matter."

Rice was in comfortable position throughout qualifying Friday and Saturday. Going from number eight to number five after Saturday night put Rice on the ladder against Angelo Alesci in Sunday's round one eliminations. Alesci took the advantage on the start but the super tuning of the Rice Racing machine brought up a 6.747/204.96 for the win.

Rice's efforts were cut short at the Empires in the second round by Ron Miller's holeshot. This time, Rice could not make up the start deficit, and his 6.74/205.15 showed the consistency of the Rice team tuning, but not the win light.

The Rice Racing team will pursue their professional drag racing efforts at the IHRA CARQUEST Northern Nationals at the Mid-Michigan Motorplex, Stanton, Michigan, August 4-6. Information is available at IHRA.com.