NEFF LOOKING TO TURN TOPEKA QUALIFYING SUCCESS INTO WIN IN CHICAGO
CHICAGO (June 3, 2009) --- 2008 Rookie of the Year Mike Neff will make
his second start at Rt. 66 Raceway as a driver this weekend for the 12th
annual United Association NHRA Rt. 66 Nationals in Joliet. He is still
looking for his first career win and after his overall performance at
Heartland Park Topeka last weekend he has high hopes for this weekend.
"We had a strong qualifying performance in Topeka on a hot, hot
track. This weekend in Chicago the weather should be cooler and
we'll try and get a win as well as qualify strong. John Medlen and
this team have been great all season. We will get it done," said
Mike Neff.
In Topeka Neff and his Ford Drive One Mustang team led by crew chief John
Medlen qualified fourth and made the most impressive run of the
Saturday's Funny Car session when they covered the 1000 foot track
in 4.19 seconds. Unfortunately, a dropped cylinder in the first round
derailed their chances to see if they could challenge for the win.
"That first round loss was a surprise. You never know what can
happen when you are racing a guy like Del Worsham but we were confident.
Our run on Saturday was great and we were looking to go some rounds in
Sunday. The one thing about these Funny Cars is so many things have to go
right to get a win. I have a great team and I have a ton of confidence in
John Medlen and my guys. I know we can get this Mustang trucking and get
right back into the Full Throttle Championship hunt," said a
confident Neff.
Heading into Topeka Neff's team had a ton of new information from a
Bristol test session and that information will continue to pay dividends
for his team as they prepare for Chicago.
"(In Bristol) we were just trying to learn a few things. My Ford
Drive One Mustang got better every run. We were trying stuff to make it
run quick and fast instead of just trying to lug it to the finish line.
We were really trying to make it haul down a hot track. With each run it
went further and then further so we feel like we are going in the right
direction," said Neff.
Last year in Chicago Neff bounced back from his first career DNQ in
Topeka by qualifying 11th and dropping a first round race with former
teammate Gary Scelzi. This year Neff is looking to race back into the Top
10. If he would have picked up one round win in Topeka he would have
moved into the Top 10 around 2008 Funny Car champion Cruz Pedregon. As
they sit now Neff is only 16 points -- less than one round of racing
- behind Pedregon. A strong performance could move the 2005 Funny Car
Champion crew chief into the Top 10 and position him to make a run up the
leader board.
-credit: jfr
