Alund Ready to Defend Chevrolet in Brand Rival Showdown in Phoenix
CHANDLER, Ariz., February 22, 2014 – Pro Stock driver Jimmy Alund is enjoying his time in the seat of the Summit Racing Pro Stock Chevrolet Camaro, and on Sunday at the CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, the native of Sweden will be having just a little more fun than normal as he comes face-to-face with a competitor driving a rival-brand factory hot rod.
Alund, the No. 11 qualifier, will race Allen Johnson, a former world champion in NHRA’s Pro Stock series and the driver of a Dodge Avenger.
“I’m used to meeting a Dodge over in Europe; there is a former Allen Johnson car there and I’ve beaten it lots of times, so I’m actually looking forward to it. We don’t like Dodges over here in this Chevrolet camp,” joked Alund.
Alund kicked off qualifying with a 6.599 at 210.54 mph on Friday in the Valley of the Sun, but the day’s later pass proved ineffective due to what Alund called “driver error.”
“The driver just didn’t do his job,” said Alund of the troubled 12.195-second pass. “But today was a good day. We’re really happy with our last run, and my driving today was good. The car was good. The first round today we were the first car down the track, so we had to be on the soft side. But this last run was real nice, and we have something good to work on for tomorrow.”
In the first Saturday session, Alund made his way smoothly down the quarter-mile racetrack to clock a 6.623 at 210.24 mph. The final session of qualifying ended on a definite high-note, however, for the multi-time European Pro Stock champion. His 6.591 at 210.87 mph was his best of the weekend so far.
“Racing here is getting more and more fun,” said Alund. “I’m just a very competitive guy, and I’m used to doing really well in Europe – so when I’m not doing good over here, I’m not very happy all the time. But I’m having the time of my life, and today was a good day. I feel confident for tomorrow. I’m looking forward to racing Allen Johnson, that’s for sure.”
