Back problems sideline Alderman for remainder of season

(from nhra.com)

http://www.nhra.com/2004/news/july/071601.html

Mopar celebrated the dynamic career of NHRA Pro Stock driver Darrell Alderman Thursday at the Mopar Big Block Party, held in downtown Golden, Colo. The commemoration coincided with the 25th annual Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals and the announcement that Alderman will sit out the rest of the season due to nagging back problems.

"It's been 16 great years," Alderman said. "I could sit here and thank Mopar all evening. The Mopar fans are great everywhere, but they're really special here in Colorado.

"The time has come for me to get [my back problems] corrected and take off the rest of the year," the three-time NHRA Pro Stock champion continued emotionally. "Really the future is in doubt but I can't say enough about Mopar and these great fans who've stuck with me through thick and thin."

Mopar's Christine Cortez, Senior Vice President - Global Service and Parts, then gave Alderman a 340-horsepower gift. After reminiscing briefly about his lengthy career with Mopar and his admirable character, Cortez abruptly asked: "Darrell, how many years have you been driving a Hemi?"

"Well … since 1999," Alderman replied, indicating the season that Mopar Pro Stock teams began racing under the current Hemi engine program.

"Five years?! Is that enough time for Darrell Alderman to drive a Hemi?" Cortez asked the crowd in the streets of Golden. "We won't worry about next year. We want to give our tribute to you now. And that is our tribute," Cortez said, gesturing to a brand new Inferno Red Hemi-powered Dodge Magnum R/T and handing him the keys.

Alderman's beaming trademark grin highlighted his appreciative response.

Since he first signed a factory deal in 1988, Alderman has been instrumental in bringing Mopar and Dodge back to the forefront of professional drag racing. Alderman, who has been with Johnson & Johnson Racing since the beginning of the 2003 season, missed the first event at Pomona (Calif.) Raceway this year because of his back, where Team Mopar driver Shaun Carlson from the NHRA Summit Sport Compact Series filled in.

Alderman has brought home three NHRA POWERade Pro Stock championships for Mopar and Dodge and roped in 28 victories along the way, all the while maintaining a true passion for drag racing which he has passed along in one way or another to his three children.

"We've not only lost a great Mopar driver from our sport, but a true friend who's like a brother to me," said Allen Johnson, owner of Johnson & Johnson Racing and driver of the second Mopar Dodge Stratus R/T on the team. "I have looked up to Darrell for years and tried my best to match his abilities. I know this isn't the end of our friendship, but it will be sad to not have him in the pits with us this weekend and for the rest of the season."

In his glory years, Alderman's presence and skill was unequaled in the Pro Stock garage. When DA won a race, the excitement level surpassed that of when any other driver in his class claimed a victory.

Mike Corvo, Jr., who has driven Pro Stock Dodge vehicles for the last few seasons, will take Alderman's seat at Bandimere Speedway during the Mopar Mile-High Nationals this weekend.

"I'm so excited to represent Mopar at the Mopar Mile-High Nationals," Corvo said. "I'm honored to fill in for Darrell, but there's no way I can replace him. We'll do our best to make him proud."