Lee Callaway Dallas preview

Callaway to battle for All-Star bid in Dallas

ENNIS, Texas - Former NHRA Division 4 Champ Lee Callaway will be gunning for a Top Alcohol Funny Car slot on the prestigious Jeg's Sportsman All-Star Team during this weekend's Division 4 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at the Texas Motorplex just south of Dallas. This weekend's event marks the final event racers can earn points towards making the team as Callaway and the Royce Homes/Pepper Express Racing backed team enter the event second in points, a mere 31 points behind Steve Harker.

Callaway, from Baytown, Texas, has had quite the workload to get ready for this weekend's event. Just two weeks ago at the O'Reilly Spring Nationals in Houston, Callaway suffered a transmission explosion off the starting line that did quite a bit of damage. Callaway's team has been working hard to repair the damage in time for this weekend's event.

"It's been a lot of work to get ready for this weekend's event," said Callaway. "We had a pushrod come off on one run and that hurt one motor, then we blew the transmission up the next run, which hurt some more parts. We'll be in "Barney Fife" mode in Dallas, all we'll have is one bullet. If it wasn't for the support of my partners and sponsors James and Carla Thompson of Pepper Express Racing and Mike Manners with Royce Homes, I don't know if we would have been able to make it to Dallas."

"I also have to thank Noel and Terry Manton of Manton Racing Products," Callaway added. "We just switched to their new rocker arm system and tool steel push rods. They have been very supportive and put everything together for us on a very short turnaround. We've heard a lot of good things about this new rocker system, so we're anxious to see what it will do on the track."

Competitors in NHRA's sportsman classes can earn points to not only the national and divisional championships, but the Jeg's Sportsman All-Star Team, which has it's own points standings, and generally starts and ends at mid year. The Jeg's Sportsman All-Star Race, which is held in conjunction with the Torco Race Fuels Nationals in Chicago, Jun. 5-8, takes the top points earners from each of NHRA's seven geographical divisions and pits them in a race to determine the All-Star Champion.

"We basically have two scenarios we can clinch the spot," stated Callaway. "We either have to win and keep Steve out of the final, or if Steve loses in the first round, we can win the spot if we go to the final. We also can't forget about Jimmy Jones, who we're tied with in points. We have to go further than him. He's a strong car that's capable of winning. It's not going to be easy by any means."

Qualifying begins on Friday for the alcohol cars with two more sessions on Saturday. Final eliminations will conclude the event on Sunday. Stay tuned to InsideTopAlcohol.com for the latest news in alcohol racing.

About Royce Builders:
Royce Builders is one of the most successful home building companies in the nation. Royce Builders ranks among the top 30 privately held builders in the United States and stands firm as one of Metroplex's most respected. With nearly 20,000 satisfied residents living in Royce Builders homes, our track record speaks volumes. To find a home that fits your lifestyle, visit www.RoyceBuilders.com

Contact: Will Hanna/ Pro Race Communications
Email: Will.Hanna@InsideTopAlcohol.com