Denver: Shaun Carlson Saturday summary

ROOKIE CARLSON BREAKS IN NEW CAR AT MOPAR MILE-HIGH NATIONALS

MORRISON, Colo. (July 15, 2006) - Pro Stock rookie Shaun Carlson entered this weekend's 27th Annual Mopar Mile-High Nationals with a brand-new Jerry Haas-built 2006 Dodge Stratus. With only one pass under his belt in the new car during testing before this event, Carlson was unable to place the Team Mopar/SRT Dodge Stratus R/T in the 16-car NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Pro Stock field.

Carlson did not make a pass in the first qualifying session on Friday when he was timed-out for taking too long to stage the Stratus. He could not see all of his brake-line gauges, which are important during the staging process because drivers must reset their brakes to keep the front wheels from rolling through the starting box. "I couldn't see the line-lock pressure," he said. "I was trying to fiddle with it, but by the time I got it they (NHRA officials) had timed me out.

"Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get David (Nickens, crew chief/engine builder) and Terry (Adams, co-crew chief) any data to use for the next session. And, I lost that run for myself. I was pretty bummed out about that one," said the Southern California native.

His strongest run of the weekend came Friday evening when he ran a 7.155-second pass at 192.88 mph. His other two chances produced a 7.177/192.22 and a 7.175/192.82.

Carlson will be rooting for his two Don Schumacher Racing teammates tomorrow. "Hopefully, Richie (Stevens Jr.) and our new teammate Erica Enders can do well tomorrow. It would be great to see one of them in the winner's circle."

Next up for Carlson is the Schuck's NHRA Nationals at Pacific Raceways (Seattle, July 21-23).

-dsr-