Lee Callaway Houston preview

Baytown racer Callaway looking to stay hot at home track

BAYTOWN, Texas - Hot off a win at the season-opening event in Belle Rose, La., NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Lee Callaway is hoping to stay hot during next weekend's O'Reilly Spring Nationals at Houston Raceway Park. Callaway reached the semifinals in Dallas the last time he competed in national event competition, and hopes to make a strong showing in his Callaway-Thompson & Stidham Racing 2007 Mustang.

Callaway, who lives just a few miles from the track in Baytown, Texas, made his mark in the NHRA record books with his recent divisional win at No Problem Raceway. Since the classes were split into Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car in 1981 (they were combined prior in the Pro Comp category), Callaway became the first driver in the history of the classes to win events in a Blown Alcohol Dragster, an Injected Nitro Dragster (A/Fuel) and now Top Alcohol Funny Car. History aside, Callaway and his team are focused on making a strong showing this weekend.

"We're obviously happy to get the win down in Louisiana, but that's behind us," said Callaway. "We're excited about getting back on a national event track. We had the car running in the 5.60's last year in Dallas, so hopefully we can pick up where we left off."

"This is our home race, so we want to run good and have a good time with our families, friends and sponsors," Callaway continued. "We're having a big party for our team and sponsors at the track Saturday night. That's what I like about racing with James and Carla Thompson and Jackie Stidham. They're very smart racers, but they also know how to have a good time doing it. Hopefully we can have another big party Sunday night in the winner's circle. We would like to make a good showing for Royce Homes, Pepper Express Racing, Cal-Trans Trucking, Pyle Brothers Performance Differentials, San Angel Trading and InsideTopAlcohol.com."

Qualifying begins on Friday for the alcohol cars with two sessions, followed by one final session Saturday morning. Eliminations begin with round one Saturday afternoon and final eliminations will conclude the event on Sunday.

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