Pomona Geoffrion interview (Pro Stock)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: NHRA Communications (818) 914-4761

GEOFFRION EAGER TO RETURN TO ELITE LEVEL IN PRO STOCK

POMONA, Calif. -- Once Scott Geoffrion let out the clutch in his Team Mopar Dodge Avenger Pro Stock earlier this month, he knew that sleeping would be a much easier task.

The nightmare that lasted 19 months, that felt like it might never stop, was ending.

"There's nothing better than feeling a motor accelerating and feeling it rip through the power band gear after gear," Geoffrion said. "You can sleep at night knowing the main ingredient is there -- horsepower."

Geoffrion, from Aliso Viejo, Calif., recorded a run of 7.06 seconds, and teammate Darrell Alderman was clocked at 6.98 during testing at Gainesville, Fla., showing their NHRA Pro Stock rivals that they are ready to return to prominence after 19 months of inactivity. They will return to racing at the 37th annual, $1,546,100 Chief Auto Parts Winternationals, Jan. 30-Feb. 2 at Pomona Raceway. The race opens the 22-event, $30-million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series in 1997.

The horror show started for Geoffrion when vandals entered the shop of his former team, Wayne County Speed Shop, in May 1995 and destroyed all of the its engines. Geoffrion entered only four NHRA national events since then, failing to qualify as the team couldn't recover.

Rumors and allegations swirled around Wayne County as it took a sudden fall just months after Alderman and Geoffrion finished 1-2 in the NHRA Winston Pro Stock point standings in 1994. While none of the allegations was proven, they took their toll on Geoffrion as the team disbanded.

Noted engine builder Dale Eicke restarted the Mopar team last fall, and he and new crew chief Craig Hankinson have produced enough power to help Geoffrion forget the last 19 months.

"I just want to go out and do a good job for all of the fans who stuck with us," Geoffrion said. "I just worry about my family, race team, sponsors and friends. You can't please everybody."

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