Gainesville: Paul Romine Gatornationals preview

CARQUEST Auto Parts Team Focused On Consistency At Gainesville

GAINESVILLE, FL (March 8, 2002) -- Paul Romine debuted a new Mike Spitzer built dragster three weeks ago at the NHRA event in Phoenix, AZ. At the Mac Tools Gatornationals, the CARQUEST Auto Parts Top Fuel team are looking for consistency and increased performance as they go for their first NHRA national event win.

"At Phoenix, Mike (McLaughlin) and the guys used qualifying to get acquainted with the new car and our engine combination," Romine said. "We've got a good handle with the car and tune-up, now we just have to progressively get faster so we can go runs on Sunday."

Being a teammate with Doug Herbert, Romine's CARQUEST team, led by McLaughlin and Sam Shockley routinely shares data with their Snap-on Racing counterparts, Johnny West and Larry Frazier. Despite both cars having different engine combinations, due to Romine's limitations in running an IHRA-legal car, the teams learn from each other.

"Each time myself and Doug go down the track, we learn something that the crew chiefs can use," says Romine, a 3-time IHRA Top Fuel champion. "Having double the data on clutch and engine tune-ups at a race helps us strive for consistency. Our goal at Gainesville is to get both Doug Herbert cars in the finals and hopefully get CARQUEST its first ever NHRA Top Fuel win."

Top Fuel qualifying for the Mac Tools Gatornationals begins Friday, March 15, at 11:45 a.m. ET, followed by a second session at 3 p.m. There are two nitro qualifying sessions Saturday at 11:45 a.m. and 3 p.m., with final eliminations set for Sunday at 11 a.m.

ESPN will show qualifying Saturday, March 16 from 8 ^Ö 10 p.m. ET, with a repeat show Sunday, March 17 from 4:30 ^Ö 6 a.m. NHRA 2DAY will air March 17 at 11 a.m. with final elimination coverage later in the day from 5 ^Ö 7 p.m. ESPN2 will rebroadcast final eliminations March 19 at 2:30 p.m.

-dhr-