Gateway: Romine makes first trip

MADISON, IL (June 18th, 2001) -- The CARQUEST Auto Parts Top Fuel team with driver Paul Romine makes their first ever trip to Gateway International Raceway this weekend to compete in the NHRA Sears Craftsman Nationals. So far this season Romine is winless in NHRA competition, competing at events in Phoenix, Gainesville, and Topeka.

"We've been tinkering with our IHRA tune-up at NHRA events and that setup can run the numbers to compete in NHRA, we just have to be consistent" said Romine, who has won two IHRA national events this season. "Last weekend we raced in Cordova, Illinois, but looking at what everyone else did in Columbus, it was a struggle for many to get down a slick track with the heat. If St. Louis is anything like Columbus, I think we can sneak in there with our slick track tune-up and go a round or two."

With assistance from team owner Doug Herbert and crew chief Larry Frazier, Romine and his brain trust of Mike McLaughlin and Sam Shockley has the talent to be competitive at St. Louis. The CARQUEST team's last NHRA national event visit was the NHRA Advance Nationals in Topeka where they qualified with a 5.070/209.95, but lost to Darrell Russell in round one.

Professional qualifying for the NHRA Sears Craftsman Nationals takes place Friday at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. CT and Saturday 11:45 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. Final eliminations begin Sunday at 11 a.m.

Qualifying will air on ESPN2 Saturday, June 23rd at 10 p.m. ET, followed by final eliminations Sunday, June 24th on ESPN2 at 7 p.m.

Prior to the Sears Craftsman Nationals, Paul Romine will be appearing at the CARQUEST store in Jennings, MO, Thursday, June 21st from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. CT. The CARQUEST show car will also be displayed throughout the weekend in the St. Louis area. It will be at the CARQUEST store in Crystal City, MO, Friday, June 22nd, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., then at the CARQUEST store in Florissant, MO, Saturday, June 23rd from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

-CAP