Carpenter Disappointed with Another Early Exit

Courtesy of Charles Carpenter Racing

MARTIN, MI – Needing to go rounds after a first round loss at last month’s ADRL Speedtech US Drags, Pro Nitrous veteran Charles Carpenter looked to be in prime position to do just that at the ADRL Ford Drive One Summer Drags VI at US 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, MI.

After a solid 3.956 effort in Friday’s final qualifying session put Carpenter third heading into eliminations, the team failed to capitalize on the opportunity and suffered a first round loss to Thomas Myers. Carpenter had the advantage off the starting line, but his freshly-painted ’55 Chevy went into violent tire shake early in the run, forcing Carpenter to lift off the throttle as Myers took his first round win of the season with a 4.271.

“We were just too aggressive,” Carpenter said. “The track conditions changed from Friday to Saturday more than we anticipated and we didn’t back it down enough. The car went about halfway to the 60-foot mark and blew the tires off.”

The high qualifying position coupled with the valuable Speedtech Battle for the Belts championship points at stake made the loss especially hard to swallow.

“We didn’t race smart,” Carpenter admitted. “We had an opportunity to move up into the points lead or at least build a cushion at second place, but did neither. Third is the highest we’ve qualified in several seasons and we did nothing with it. It’s going to make for a tough ride home, but maybe that long trip to Topeka next month will seem a little shorter since I can’t wait to get back out there and forget about what happened here this weekend.”

Carpenter and his crew didn’t leave empty-handed, however. The team took home the Stateline Motorsports Apparel Best Appearing Crew award, just one race after taking the Olson Paint & Body Best Appearing Paint honor.

“We’re starting a nice collection of these plaques,” Carpenter said. “Now I just need a Minuteman trophy to go with them.”

Charles Carpenter Racing would like to thank Paul Albino and Total Induction Tuning Solutions, MagnaFuel, Reed Robbins, Steve Smarr, and Chandler Robbins at East Coast Refinishing & Fiberglass, DMP Awnings, Doherty Motorsports, Custom Autosound, WFO Racing & Machine, Santhuff Suspension Specialties, Alan Pittman Race Cars, Terry Murphy Race Cars, Dennis Radford & Tom Hemphill, Fulton Competition, Hairy Glass, Pro Glass, TEK Headers, JAZ Products, Weld Racing, Stroud Safety, Safety Solutions, RJS Safety Equipment, Goodridge Hose & Fittings, Goodyear, Friction Unlimited, Racepak, Bell Helmets, Indocil Art, Justin Spencer & CompetitionDesigns.com, Scott Bathurst & Classic Graphix, RH2Way, and VP Racing Fuels for their continued support.

Carpenter is actively seeking primary sponsorship for 2010. For more information about Charles Carpenter Racing and the World’s Fastest ’55 Chevy, or for a copy of the team’s Marketing Partnership Guide, visit www.fastest55.com.