ENGLISHTOWN, New Jersey (June 9, 2010) - When he's not at the office running a thriving HVAC company that bears his name or wrangling a 2,700-horsepower Pro Mod down the quarter-mile, Rick Stivers can be found fostering his other power-passion: raising thoroughbred racing horses. Being an old hand on horse racing strategy, the
Lexington, Ky.-native knows that the best time to make a move in a long race is after the early leaders lose their wind, typically on the "back stretch." It's a strategy he's employed before in his hunt for a drag racing championship, and it's the same plan he's using in this year's inaugural NHRA Get Screened America Pro Mod Drag Racing Series.
"Last season, we had a good start but really came on strong in the second half, with a break in the middle mostly because of my crash in St. Louis that put me out until Indy. After that, we won Charlotte and runnered-up in Richmond, and worked our way into the number ten spot for the year," Stivers said.
On examination, in 2009, Stivers had one win in three final-round appearances and the second-quickest pass to date at 5.823-seconds, proving he had the car and the skills to contend for a championship. Now, a year later, he is poised to jump up the ladder in the remaining six races, beginning this weekend in Englishtown, N.J. at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park as the GSA Pro Mods battle in the United Association NHRA SuperNationals. The SuperNationals marks the fifth of ten events in the Pro Mod Series schedule, the proverbial "back stretch" where Stivers plans to drive his Trane-backed 2006 Dodge Stratus to the winner's circle and beyond.
"Brad Anderson [team owner and crew chief] has given me an incredible car again this year, and I know we're in a great position. I had a really tough start to the season with health issues. I missed the season opener at Gainesville, and then gradually started getting comfortable again," he explained.
"Being number ten in the field this season is saying a whole lot, because the competition has increased immensely. There are new players, and everyone is gunning to be on top. My strategy is to be methodical and consistent, and Brad and the team support that, too.
"I love racing at Englishtown because the track can be so good. We've run really well here in the past, and I am confident this weekend will be the same," Stivers said.
Qualifying sessions are scheduled for 2:30 and 5:30 p.m. on Friday, June 11 and 2 p.m. Saturday, June 12. The first round of eliminations will be Saturday afternoon at 5 p.m. and will conclude Sunday beginning approximately 2 p.m. ESPN2 and ESPN2HD will televise 30 minutes of racing highlights from the Pro Mod portion of the NHRA SuperNationals Saturday, June 19, at 1:30 p.m. EDT.
