KNOLL WILL KEEP PRO STOCK TEAM IN 2007
“I did a lot of soul
searching and quite a bit of thinking since Pomona,” Knoll said. “I came to the
conclusion that with the new points structure that a top three team can have as
good of a chance to win this thing as one that has led all season long. I won’t
apologize for the comments I made earlier in the year suggesting that Ken Black’s
team was on another level because they were and still are.
Amidst rumors that he was looking
to unload his Pro Stock operation and the contract of driver Dave Connolly,
team owner Evan Knoll confirmed the team will return in 2007 to contend for the
NHRA Pro Stock World Championship.
“I did a lot of soul searching and quite a bit of thinking since Pomona,” Knoll said. “I came to the conclusion that with the new points structure that a top three team can have as good of a chance to win this thing as one that has led all season long. I won’t apologize for the comments I made earlier in the year suggesting that Ken Black’s team was on another level because they were and still are.
“I’m not a fan of the new system but in this instance it can and will help us to have a fighting chance at the very end.”
Knoll’s optimism stems from gains made by engine builder Victor Cagnazzi since Pomona.
“That made a world of difference,” Knoll said. “I can see a good increase and when you couple that with the extensive off-season test program that we have scheduled, you can see why I am feeling confident of our chances.
“I think our finish in 2006 could have been a lot closer if we hadn’t gotten off to such a tough start. The championship race could have been a lot closer than it ended up.”
