Atlanta Report
By
Joe Sherk
April 29, 2007

Engine Lasts Only Two Seconds into Quarter-mile Run

COMMERCE, Ga., April 29, 2007 ­ The goal going into the opening rouund of Sunday's Southern Nationals was to have Jim Yates win several rounds of eliminations and climb back into the POWERade Series Pro Stock top 10.

"I thought we'd do pretty good," said Yates, "but the engine broke. It is unfortunate and a tough deal. It's probably the result of a parts failure, but we won't know that until Bill Jenkins' guys take it apart Monday."

Yates had to watch Richie Stevens drive away to the win with a time of 6.692 seconds at 206.61 mph while he coasted through in 8.986 seconds at 104.43.

"It's frustrating because we want to be successful every time we let the clutch out," added Yates.

The motor was taken to Jenkin's shop in the Philadelphia area. Time is important because the next event, the O'Reilly Midwest Nationals, begins Friday in St. Louis.