Clevite Nitro Club Members Find the Right Mix During Western Swing

ANN ARBOR, Michigan, August 5, 2005 — The 2005 season’s Western Swing proved two things – that Clevite continues to give teams and drivers a winning edge and that the road to the POWERade points championship is anything but straight and narrow.

At Sonoma, Doug Kalitta’s win came from his team using a combination of new and traditional parts, while Tony Pedregon’s new track E.T. record was set using the traditional Top Fuel/Nitro Funny Car package from Perfect Circle. Larry Dixon’s new track speed record was set using the new ring package.

As it always does, the Western Swing started out in Denver, and after a weekend of fierce competition, Tony Schumacher and Robert Hight reclaimed the Top Fuel POWERade points standings.

Young guns dominated in Seattle. Tony Schumacher was able to hold on to his spot atop the POWERade points standings, but was served his first final-round loss by Kenny Bernstein. In Funny Car, Eric Medlen took out rookie teammate Robert Hight in the first all-Team Force final without John Force at the wheel. Not to be lost in the other celebrations are Larry Dixon’s new track speed and E.T. records set using the new ring package.

The heat really turned up in Sonoma. In Top Fuel, Doug Kalitta’s win over Doug Herbert powered Kalitta back into the POWERade points lead by a slim 16 points over fellow Nitro Club Team member Tony Schumacher. Schumacher also had a big weekend, posting a new track E.T. record. In Funny Car, Gary Scelzi’s win helped him within 16 points of Robert Hight.

“The drivers and teams are trying combinations of new and traditional products as they make their way to the POWERade points championship, and we’re doing all that we can to provide them with the parts they need to succeed,