Rockstar Energy Drink Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car driver Jerry Toliver is determined to win a race before the end of the 2008 NHRA POWERade Drag racing Series season, aiming to hoist the winner’s trophy at this weekend’s 21st annual NHRA Mid-South Nationals at Memphis (Tenn.) Motorsports Park.
With help from the Don Schumacher Racing crew-chief brain trust, including his tuner Phil Shuler, Toliver and the Rockstar Energy Drink Dodge were back on track last weekend in Ennis Texas, qualifying No. 12 after missing three straight races. The team ran well in the Texas heat during qualifying on Saturday but lost to DSR teammate Jack Beckman in round one of eliminations.
“I always love going to Memphis,” said Toliver, who enters the race No. 15 in the points. “I actually look forward to going to every drag race, I love drag racing and I love competing. I’m disappointed in our season this year, but I’m still very determined to win a race for my crew guys and for Rockstar Energy Drink. That’s what I want to do.
“We can’t make the top 10 and that kind of takes some of the competitive fire out of you,” added Toliver, who did not make the Countdown to 1 playoffs for the top 10 in points this year. “We still have something to gain by winning a race for my sponsors and all the people who support us at DSR.
“I don’t care about being a spoiler, but if I can help my teammates Ron Capps and Jack Beckman, who are fighting for the championship, that’s great. I’m not going to roll over for them by any means, but the bottom line is that I want to go out and win a race with my Rockstar Energy Drink guys. That’s the big deal and what motivates us.
“Memphis has been a great track for many years. I enjoy going down to Beale Street and visiting Graceland. And it’s going to be a good time. But my goal before the final race in Pomona (Calif.) is to win a race.”
JERRY TOLIVER QUICK FACTS:
* No. 15 in Funny Car point standings after 21 of 24 events in 2008
* Qualified No. 12 at last year’s Memphis event, lost first round
* Made quickest run of the 2008 season in Joliet, Ill., 4.783 seconds
* Debuted new sponsor Rockstar Energy Drink at 2007 Las Vegas event
* Qualified second at 2008 season-opening Winternationals, tying for No. 1 with the quickest Funny Car run of the weekend (4.790 seconds)
* Joined Don Schumacher Racing for the 2008 season
* Nineteenth in 2007 Funny Car point standings after running limited schedule (19 races)
* Returned to Funny Car competition in 2007 after two-year hiatus with new sponsor Rockstar Energy Drink
* Qualified in the top half of the field twice last season; had top speed of the event in Denver
* Made Funny Car debut in 1998 running 12 races with sponsorship from MAD Magazine
* Earned first Funny Car national event win over John Force at 1999 NHRA Finals at Pomona
* Won five races in 10 career final rounds as driver
* Won seven races in 14 final rounds as a team owner
* First top-10 season finish in 1999 (eighth)
* Finished career-high No. 3 in Funny Car points in 2000 with career-best three wins in seven final rounds
* Named Car Craft Magazine “Person of the Year” in 2000 for his contributions to drag racing
* Debuted WWF Get R.E.A.L (Respect, Education, Achievement, Leadership) National Youth Education Program in 2001
* Nephew of drag racing pioneers and Hall of Fame members, Art and Jack Chrisman
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