Denver S. Geoffrion interview (Pro Stock)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: NHRA Communications (818) 914-4761

GEOFFRION BACK IN FORM IN PRO STOCK ONE YEAR AFTER DENVER DISASTER

MORRISON, Colo. -- A year ago, it wasn't much fun to be Scott Geoffrion. His Pro Stock career hit bottom at his sponsor's race, the Mopar Parts Mile-High Nationals at Denver, when he qualified last in a 33-car field while the Wayne County Speed Shop team floundered in its attempt to recover from engine vandalism in May 1995. A few weeks later, Geoffrion's season was over when the Wayne County team disbanded. Dodge placed its faith in respected engine builder Dale Eicke in September, anointing him as the mastermind who could return Team Mopar to its place of prominence. Dodge also kept Geoffrion and teammate Darrell Alderman as its drivers in 1997. Smart moves. Life is fun again for Geoffrion. He has one victory and is 10th in the NHRA Winston point standings this season after a slow start in the Team Mopar Dodge Avenger. "All I can say is, what a difference a year can make," Geoffrion said. "At the beginning of the year, we didn't really know Dale and his guys. It just takes awhile. We really trust each other now, communicate well. We're all on the same page." The rapidly-jelling Mopar team could put Geoffrion into the winner's circle at the 19th annual, $1,532,000 Mopar Parts Mile-High Nationals, July 17-20 at Bandimere Speedway. The race is the 12th event of the 22-event, $30-million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series in 1997. Geoffrion, from Aliso Viejo, Calif., failed to qualify for five of the first seven races this season as Eicke worked to find squeeze more horsepower from his engines. Once Eicke found the power, Geoffrion won the Western Auto Nationals in early June at Topeka, Kan. "To be in the top 10 with a five-race disadvantage, I'm pretty happy with that," Geoffrion said. "I think we're building a strong foundation for next year. It takes time."

Jack Durbin indy500@freenet.tlh.fl.us Motorsport News International jackd@motorsport.com (Moderators for "rec.autos.sport.info") Homepage http://www.freenet.tlh.fl.us/users/indy500/index.html