NSJAPS Event #11, Pre-Race Release
3 August 1998
Can Anyone Derail the Query Express?!Daytona Beach, Fla. - August 2, 1998 - After four consecutive wins in the Slim Jim All Pro Series, part of NASCAR's Touring Division, many wonder whether Mooresville, N.C.'s Freddie Query will relinquish his stranglehold on the first place finishing position anytime soon. The driver of the Greased Lightning Cleaner Degreaser Chevrolet has a commanding lead in the series points and has won a total of six races in 10 starts. He has finished out of the top five twice, and out of the top 10 only once after 10 races.
After securing his fourth win in as many starts at Nazareth Speedway on July 12 Query commented on his 1998 successes, "My son Alex and I work very hard in between events to make sure the car is ready to go. It's just Alex and myself and we're dedicated to thorough preparation. Our (Jeff) Hamner engines have been great this year and we've managed to avoid trouble on the track," he added. "Having Greased Lightning Cleaner Degreaser come on board has helped immensely and we're aiming for the championship, with the short term goal being ready to race to win at each of the nine remaining events on the Slim Jim All Pro Series schedule," stated the 46-year-old driver.
Query's next attempt at keeping his win streak alive comes on Saturday, August 8 at Caraway Speedway in Asheboro, N.C. The 0.455 mile oval was repaved over the winter and should produce a fast, exciting race for those in attendance. The Arndt & Herman Windows 200 is the 11th of 19 races on the 1998 Slim Jim All Pro Series calendar and the Caraway oval represents a challenge to Query as he has not raced in a series event at the high banked oval. Then again that shouldn't serve as a hindrance to him. He won at the Miami-Dade Homestead Motorsports Complex and at Nazareth Speedway in his first-ever visits to those tracks as well.
Query's stats are impressive. He has led 1010 of 1801 laps run this year for a 56% laps led percentage. He is the only driver to have secured multiple wins in 1998 with Wayne Anderson, Billy Bigley, Jr., Derrick Gilchrist and Lee Tissot each having secured one win this year. He has moved from a fifth place tie for most career wins to a tie for the top spot, having now garnered 14 wins, the same total as two-time former champion Mike Cope. He has completed 1776 of 1801 laps run for a laps completed percentage of 98.61% to lead in that category. He has notched three Bud Pole Awards and is tied with Billy Bigley, Jr. for the lead in 1998 Bud Poles. His son Alex sits atop the Jasper Engines & Transmissions Crew Chief Challenge points with a commanding lead in that category. And last, but certainly not least, Query leads the series in 1998 earnings having already pocketed $68,910 to have earned more than double his closest pursuer Hal Goodson.
On the flip side Query knows that good luck can turn to bad luck at any time and he could experience a mechanical failure or on track incident without warning. That hasn't changed his approach. He and his son simply prepare their Chevrolet Monte Carlo to the best of their abilities each week and head into each track with one goal in mind, and that's to win the race. So the question remains unanswered. Can anyone derail the Query Express?
