Pete Berner currently sits fifth in the Nitro Jam Pro Stock points standings, and he recently had a difficult decision to make concerning his run for the Championship. As we near the halfway point of the season, the points battle is tightening and the Championship chase is growing in intensity. In a year where gas prices have soared to all-time highs and people everywhere are feeling the effects of economic downfall, it is becoming increasingly difficult for racers to be competitive on a national and international level.

The fifth stop on the IHRA Nitro Jam tour lands in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, which for many racers is a 40+ hour drive, costing thousands in fuel alone. This financial burden is prohibiting some racers from attending the event, even those currently vying for the '08 Championship. Berner and the Quarter-Max.com team have chosen to sit out the Rocky Mountain Nationals in order to save costs for the season and provide an equal championship shot for all Pro Stock racers.

"We will really miss attending this event," states Berner. "The fans and staff at the Castrol Raceway Park are great and it's a wonderful place to race. But when it comes down to the World Finals in Rockingham, I don't want the Championship to be decided based on who had the financial means to travel and who did not. I wouldn't feel right about winning it that way. We're in a great points battle right now and I hope to see that continue up to the end, instead of half the field gaining a significant advantage after this race. I think this Quarter-Max.com team has made the best decision in sitting this one out."

Berner will take advantage of this time off to test the Quarter-Max.com Pontiac GXP and continue research on his engine program.