PR-VALDOSTA- Alan Bradshaw to return to competition this weekend

Cooper Racing - JSM Group
media relations

For Immediate Release
August 2, 2005
Contact: Will Hanna/ Pro Race Communications
Email: Will.Hanna@InsideTopAlcohol.com

Bradshaw to return to competition in Valdosta

VALDOSTA, Ga. - Former NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster World Champion Alan Bradshaw will be returning to competition this weekend behind the wheel of the Cooper Racing/ JSM Group Top Alcohol Dragster. The team will be making it's debut during this weekend's Division 2 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Southern Georgia Motorsports Park in Valdosta, Ga.

Bradshaw, a practicing chiropractor in Odessa, Texas, has been selected as the team's interim driver. While driving his own blown alcohol dragster, Bradshaw won the 2002 Division 5 Championship, and then went on to win the 2003 World Championship behind the wheel of Randy Meyer's A/Fuel Dragster.

"I'm excited to get back out in competition," said Bradshaw. "I'm thrilled with the opportunity Mike and the JSM Group have given me to drive. It gives me an opportunity to keep my name established, so I can jump in and drive for anyone at any given moment. Mike brings a lot of experience to the table in making one of these cars go fast, and I would like to think I can bring some experience and stability to the table while they try to get the car lined out, rather than trying to line it out with an inexperienced driver."

The team is owned by the JSM Group which is a joint venture between Joe Baker and team Crew Chief, Mike Cooper. Cooper is a distinguished tuner in the alcohol ranks, working with the likes of Bill Barney, Pat Austin, and most recently tuned John Haley to a win at the 2002 U.S. Nationals. Cooper will oversee operations and tuning duties, and will be assisted by veteran crewmembers Denny Savage, Bobby Stillwell and Larry Board.

"We decided to put Alan behind the wheel until we get someone paying," said Cooper. "We want to get the car lined out with Alan driving, but the seat is for rent. We bought this entire operation turn key, truck, trailer and even the hand tools from Mark Hentges, so it is all good stuff. I put my engine and clutch tune-up in it, and we just have to adjust that to this Hadman chassis. We have a good car, a good team, and we want to get the car lined out so with the right driver and budget next year, we can run for a World Championship."

Bradshaw has made no secret of his aspirations of making the move to the fuel ranks, and feels this will help keep his skills fresh.

"It's no secret I've been working with Chris Russell trying to put together the funding to run a Top Fuel car at the top level," commented Bradshaw. "I am also working with one of NHRA's Top Fuel legends of the category to bring a car back out if we can find the right corporate funding. If an opportunity presented itself in Top Alcohol or Fuel Funny Car, I certainly wouldn't pass that up, either."

The team plans to compete at this weekend's Division 2 event, and then at the Lucas Oil Nationals in Brainerd, Minn. and the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. The O'Reilly Fall Nationals in Dallas and AAA Auto Club Finals in Pomona, Calif., may also be added.

Qualifying for this weekend's event will be ran with two sessions Friday evening, with final eliminations concluding the event Saturday afternoon.