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"We believe that the best way reach our goal of defending our division title and finishing in the top five nationally is through the divisional races." -- Mark Hentges

Defending Northwest Division Federal-Mogul Dragster champion Mark Hentges goes into competition with something like tunnel vision. He knows what he wants to do at a race and tries not to let what's happening around him affect his game plan. Hentges says the plan is always to race his own race, qualify well, and not worry about who's in the next lane.

It might have been easy for Hentges to be distracted this year, since four-time defending national champion Rick Santos has claimed the Northwest Division as his home territory. But Hentges never wavered.

"Last year, before we even knew what Santos was going to do, we sat down and planned our season," said Hentges, 42. "We believe that the best way reach our goal of defending our division title and finishing in the top five nationally is through the divisional races. If we can win the maximum number of division events and make a good showing in national events, we should be where we want to be at the end of the year."

This strategy seems to be working for the Federal Way, Wash., resident. He has four final round appearances in four NHRA national events with one win. In Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series divisional action, he has four wins to his credit. In fact, going back to last year, Hentges has won his last six divisional events.

His last divisional event win, at Mission Raceway Park in May, was a game of inches. According to Hentges, he beat Santos in the final by five inches.

"I've lost by five inches, too so it was nice to have it turned around for a change," said Hentges, laughing.

Hentges is looking forward to returning to Mission, B.C. He knows that it will be a challenge to win the second event, but things seem to be going his way so far. Hentges says Mission Raceway is one of the team's favorite tracks, not only because of the beautiful location but also because of the outstanding track conditions. He adds that the professionalism of the track's staff always adds to the experience.

Hentges, and about 400 other drag racers, will be at Mission Raceway Park June 22-24 competing in the division's third NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event.