Sat, 24 May 2008, 03:20 PM Former Champions Yates and Maskin to Rejoin Pro Stock Forces

Courtesy of Melissa Yates

OCCOQUAN, Va. -- Jim Yates and Richard Maskin, who teamed to win the 1996 NHRA Pro Stock championship, have partnered for the duration of the 2008 NHRA POWERade season. Maskin will join the WileyX Eyewear Pontiac GXP Pro Stock team effective immediately.

Yates and Maskin boast one of the most successful partnerships in NHRA Pro Stock history. The former championship duo first proved as a lethal driver/crew chief combination from 1994-'97 where they combined to win 10 races in 23 final round appearances, along with five No. 1 qualifying efforts. They twice won three consecutive races in a season. The WileyX team will next compete at the O'Reilly Summer Nationals, May 30-June 1, at Heartland Park Topeka. Yates is a three-time winner at Heartland Park, 1996, '97 and '02.

"We are truly excited about reuniting with Richard (Maskin) and the entire Dart Machinery Team," Yates said. "With the successes we've shared in the past and the knowledge and development our team has attained, we expect to have a lot of fun the rest of the season. We can't wait to put this Wiley X Sunglass Machine back in the winner's circle."

Three time Pro Stock champion engine builder Richard Maskin commented "We've proven that we can be successful in the past, and we are looking forward to the rest of the season. Pro Stock is a highly competitive class, and we intend to be a winning team."

Yates, a two-time NHRA champion (1996-'97), has attained some of the more impressive stats in the popular door-slammer division. The University of Maryland graduate has carded 25 career Pro Stock wins in 58 final round appearances. He also has claimed 29 poles. His last win came during the Pontiac Performance Nationals at National Trail Raceway near Columbus, Ohio, in 2006. The 388 career races, Yates has won 412 elimination rounds. He currently ranks 12th in the NHRA POWERade Pro Stock standings.

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