CLEREMONT, Ind. (September 1, 2008) – Josh Hernandez left the MAC Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals with everything but the trophy, but the defending JEGS ProMod Challenge World Champion is holding his head high with the runner-up finish this weekend. He delivered the quickest and fastest laps, set the track e.t. record and most importantly earned the championship points lead with his stellar Labor Day weekend effort in the Jim and Dave Oddy-tuned Team Rage ’68 Camaro.
 
After defeating Raymond Commisso, Danny Rowe and Tim Tindle to get to the finals, Hernandez faced off against nitrous-powered Mike Castellana. Hernandez had the advantage off the line, but quickly drove into tire shake, pedaled the car to regain traction but had to watch as Castellana passed him for the win, 6.296/225.71 to Hernandez’ 7.00/220.48.
 
“We were on a rail all weekend, and in the final, we just had too much for the track and Mike recovered faster than we did and drove away with the win. Of course I’m disappointed, but, honestly, we are all really proud of what we accomplished here, and we really reached one of the most important goals by leaving with the points lead,” Hernandez said.
 
Despite the runner-up finish, record and the points lead, Hernandez and the entire Team Rage were extremely vocal about their concern for fellow racer and friend Steve Engel. Engel, of Shandon, Ohio, entered surgery Sunday morning for injuries he sustained after his car went out of control and crashed Saturday at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis.  According to his family, Engel has fractures in six cervical vertebrae and damage to his spinal cord.
 
“Really, though, we are all just concerned about Steve and his recovery.  They said he came through surgery well, and that there were some really good signs, so, we’re continuing to pray for a full recovery and that Tonya and the family are all ok.
 
“It’s a serious thing he’s dealing with, and it puts a lot of what we’re doing in perspective. It makes me very thankful for my wife Amber and my two boys and every moment I have with them,” Hernandez said.
 
Coming into the weekend, Hernandez was 51 points out of the lead, behind Canadian Tony Pontieri, and with his No. 1 qualifying effort and runner-up finish, Hernandez jumped ahead of Pontieri by 37 points.
 
“I think it really shows just how great this Troy Critchley horsepower really is,” Hernandez said. “Troy has really figured so much out and is such an expert in engine design. Combined with Jim and Dave Oddy, they really are unstoppable,” he said.
 
Hernandez and the Team Rage Camaro race next in Hernandez’ home state of Texas, where he is the defending event champion, September 18-21.
 
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