Henkelman & Baca expand deal with Centennial Batteries

Henkelman & Baca Motorsports and Centennial Batteries jointly announced today the expansion of their marketing partnership. Under the new agreement, Centennial Batteries will become a major associate sponsor on the Henkelman & Baca Motorsports Top Fuel Dragster driven by veteran driver Cory McClenathan.

"We are very pleased to be on board with the Henkelman & Baca drag racing team," Brad Streelman, CEO of Centennial Batteries said. "The proven winners they have within this organization with Cory McClenathan behind the wheel and Wes Cerny as crew chief is a win-win opportunity for all.

"Because this team is loaded with winners, they offer a tremendous value and opportunity for Centennial Batteries to gain additional exposure here on the west coast and nationwide, opening new markets for us."

This is the first professional season for Henkelman & Baca Motorsports. After four races in this young season they are the surprise team in the Top Fuel category. Owned by partners Rick Henkelman and David Baca, the team has exploded on the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series having advanced to one runner-up position and two semifinal rounds. As a result, driver Cory McClenathan sits fourth in the point chase with 279 points, just two points behind third and 25 points out of second. Larry Dixon leads all Top Fuel drivers with 451 points.

Headquartered in Southern California, Centennial Batteries is one of the fastest growing wholesale battery distributors on the west coast, servicing a wide range of customers through a network of company owned stores and thousands of independent dealers in the Western United States. Since 1954, Centennial Batteries has proudly been servicing customers with a complete line of premium batteries for automotive, commercial, RV/Marine, golf cart, motorcycle and many other special application, including both low-maintenance and maintenance-free designs.

Adams returns to Jim Yates Racing

Terry Adams, who served as Jim Yates' crew chief from August 2000 to the end of the 2001 season, is returning to the SplitFire/Peak Racing Team. Adams will begin his new role with Jim Yates Racing this weekend at the NHRA O'Reilly Spring Nationals at Houston Raceway Park in Baytown.

The veteran Pro Stock tuner and driver will handle the crew chief duties on the team's second car, driven by Yates' son, Jamie Yates. Adams will also serve as a tuning consultant on Jim Yates' SplitFire/Peak Pontiac Grand Am. Jamie Yates remains the crew chief on his father's car.

Adams, 47, tuned Jim Yates' car to a second-place finish in the NHRA Pro Stock point standings last year. Yates lost the season title by only four rounds of competition. Adams resigned from the team at the end of the 2001 season to drive the Barry Grant-owned Pro Stock entry.

"Terry brings plenty to the party," said Jim Yates, who is in second place in the Pro Stock POWERade point standings. "He is knowledgeable, calm under pressure, and understands our racing operation. We are happy to have him back. He was instrumental in our run for the championship last year in which we lost by a heartbeat. Terry's experience as both a driver and tuner will have a positive effect on our entire operation. This is another step in our team commitment to remain a strong contender for the 2002 championship."

Adams has been involved in Pro Stock racing since 1977 when he started to compete on the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) circuit. He joined the NHRA circuit in 1989.