Houston: Dodge Friday morning notes

BAYTOWN, Texas (March 23, 2001) - Last weekend's 32nd annual Gatornationals at Gainesville (Fla.) Raceway marked a little Dodge Motorsports history. For the first time since 1972, five Hemi-powered Dodge Pro Stock entries qualified for a NHRA national event.

Darrell Alderman, driver of the Mopar Parts Dodge R/T Pro Stock entry, led the way taking the second spot with a career best 6.852-second lap at 201.16 mph. Also in the show was Alderman's teammate Mark Osborne, Dodge Motorsports R/T driver Larry Morgan, the semi-factory backed Dodge R/T of Rickie Smith and the Team Amoco Dodge R/T of Allen Johnson.

"We have come a long way in a short period of time," said Morgan, who has been an integral part the new Hemi engine's development over the past year. "When you look at the competition early in the season, we're not only battling the increased car counts, but they have those new `so-called' slicker other makes as well. We have a lot of horsepower right now, and we're demonstrating it on the track."

The Dodge Pro Stock teams will be switching to the new Pro Stock Neon in the near future. Until then, Morgan and the rest of the Mopar contingent are running the 2000 Dodge R/T bodies.

"I think we're giving up a little on our competition in the aero department," Morgan commented. "The neat thing is that we're still more than competitive right now. I just think we're making a lot of horsepower. Not bad for only a year's worth of development."

ANOTHER NICKENS

Nickens Brothers Racing will be campaigning former Pro Stock Truck driver Bo Nickens during this weekend's NHRA national event at Houston Raceway Park.

Nickens, who advanced to the second round during last year's NHRA Finals at Pomona (Calif.) Raceway, will be making his inaugural appearance for the 2001 season. The Conroe, Texas resident will be running a Dodge Motorsports R/T.

"It's nice to be at our home track," Nickens said. "We have a strong Hemi engine in this car. I'm pretty confident in what we'll be able to do this weekend. Maybe we can get six Dodge's in the Pro Stock show."

Nickens Brothers Racing also fields the Mopar Parts entries of Alderman and Osborne.

-Mopar