Lee Callaway Dallas wrap up

Engine damage derails Callaway in final

ENNIS, Texas - After damaging both motors he had at last month's O'Reilly Spring Nationals in Houston, former NHRA Division 4 Champion Lee Callaway took the Royce Homes/Pepper Express Racing Top Alcohol Funny Car to this past weekend's Division 4 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at the Texas Motorplex just south of Dallas in 'Barney Fife' mode. Repairs to one block left the team with only one bullet. That bullet nearly garnered Callaway his second straight win in Division 4 competition, but a spun rear main bearing kept him from running Steve Harker in the final.

Callaway, from Baytown, Texas, qualified the Jackie Stidham tuned '07 Mustang sixth in the field with a 5.756 at 252.33 mph. In round one, he took out Kebin Kinsley with an off-pace 8.17 at only 103 mph when the supercharger studs sheered off. He then defeated good friend and former two-time Division 4 Champion Jimmy Jones in the semifinals with a 5.780 at 235.56 mph. Callaway felt an extreme vibration and shut off early, resulting in the slower speed. The vibration came from a spun rear main bearing. He was unable to make the call for his final round match up with Steve Harker, who he defeated last month in the Belle Rose, La., Division 4 final.

"We didn't run any big numbers, but we did make some big progress," said Callaway. "First off, we found our tire gauge was off by a pound, which was really throwing us a curve ball. In the first round, the blower studs broke at 2.2 seconds and it still went 2.57 to the 330' mark. I think it's safe to say that would have been a 5.60-something run."

"I knew something was wrong right-away in the semifinals," Callaway continued. "The car was vibrating so bad when I staged it that the ring around the tach was vibrating around. It finally got so bad down track I couldn't see, so I lifted. Luckily Jimmy had problems of his own and didn't get around us. It spun the rear main severely. There was no chance of even trying to repair it for the final."

Callaway leaves the track in a tie for first place with Harker, as they have split the final round decisions at both events thus far. The team will return to their home track of Houston Raceway Park for the next stop on the Division 4 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, May 16-18.

"It's going to be a long, tough battle for the championship this year," stated Callaway. "Harker runs pretty good, and Jimmy seems to be getting back into his old form. Guys like Burl Brown and Steve Burck are stepping up, too. Some people may doubt our small motor combination, but I really feel like we can run with the big motors. We just need more laps on our combination in general. Hopefully we can put this car in a few more winner's circles for our sponsors Royce Homes, James and Carla Thompson's Pepper Express Racing, Cal-Trans Trucking, Pyle Brothers, San Angel Trading and InsideTopAlcohol.com."

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

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