THORNTON REGAINS WINNING WAYS AT PSCA ARIZONA NATIONALS

April 24, 2005 - Surprise, AZ – PSCA Pro Street Champ Ed Thornton was back in the winners circle Sunday at the conclusion of eliminations in his '57 Chevy Pro Street. Thornton, 38, of Chino Hills, CA who won the PSCA Pro Street Championship in 2003 and 2004, defeated rival and longtime friend John Scialpi, 45, of Covina, CA in the final round. Thornton’s twin turbo entry cranked out a 6.893 to take the win as Scialpi had to shut off due to traction problems.

“That was a good race for a while there,” said Thornton, “he gated me pretty good. Luckily the win light is based on who crosses the finish line first, not the 60 foot clock. This track was very tricky this weekend. We had trouble getting down it on our first qualifying run and in the first round. I have an awesome crew with Shane Tecklenburg tuning the MoTeC System and Doug Stewart doing the clutch. Those 6.79’s are proof that they are championship caliber.”

Thornton qualified on the pole with a great 6.793 at 209 and ran an on and off throttle 7.01 in the first round.

“Luckily we got past that round,” explained Thornton. “Even though that was low ET of the round – we were vulnerable.”

Thornton and team went back to their qualifying combo for round 2 and ran a clean and straight 6.79 in the semi-final giving them lane choice in the final when Scialpi could only muster a 7.09.

When the tree came down in the final – Scialpi left first with a .057 reaction to Thornton’s sluggish .187 but the power of the fuel-injected turbo car allowed Thornton to pass Scialpi by about the 100 foot mark.

Thornton is set to compete at the upcoming Super Chevy Show in Pomona, CA, April 30 – May 1st, where he will face John Scialpi’s Pro Modified '57 Chevy as well as the Nitro Coupes.

“I don’t care,” said Thornton, “I just love to race – bring 'em on!”