CARPENTER WINS SEASON-OPENING QUICK 8 EVENT

“This is just a phenomenal way to start the year,” Carpenter exclaimed from victory lane. “We did so much work in the off-season that I knew this had the makings of being my ‘dream season.’ Winning the first time out just confirms that this is going to be one amazing year.

“Standing here in victory lane wouldn’t be possible without the help of so many people,” stated Carpenter. “I’ve got to thank Embee Performance for doing so much work on my behalf these past few months. They have given me a lot of parts with their coatings, and so far they are working better than expected. I’ve also got to thank Pat Doherty, as well as Buddy’s Automotive, Custom AutoSound and Country Motors Trailer Sales. And if it wasn’t for my crew – Bryan and Michael – and their hard work we never could have made as many rounds as we had.”

Carpenter faced Buzz Varner in the final. He won by posting a 4.131 elapsed time over the 1/8-mile drag strip at 176.65 mph.

The weekend didn’t start as smoothly for Carpenter and the “World’s Fastest ’55 Chevrolet.” On Saturday he was the first Pro Modified to make a qualifying run. He leaned on the car and put down a solid run, but track officials neglected to turn on the timing system prior to his run so it was negated. Carpenter eventually qualified third for today’s elimination rounds.

Making this victory even sweeter for Carpenter was having his son, Michael, as part of his pit crew. “Michael was with me once when I won a race, but he was so young he wouldn’t remember,” Carpenter claimed. “I guess that this makes it sort of like our first win together.”

The 2004 season marks Carpenter’s 30^th year in drag racing, all behind the wheel of his famous 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air. Carpenter’s next race will be another Quick 8 event, on Saturday March 13 at Coastal Plains Raceway Park in Jacksonville, N.C. He will then set his sites on the March 26-28 IHRA Amalie Oil Texas Nationals in San Antonio, Texas.

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