Tue, 9 Sep 2008, 08:26 PM Albrecht's Fast Track Suzuki Rider Treble Geared Up for Countdown

Courtesy of Judy Stropus

CONCORD, N.C. -- After joining the Don Schumacher Racing camp before the U.S. Nationals, following an 11-race stint with another team, Craig Treble was faced with the challenge of riding a different Pro Stock Motorcycle for a new team under a new set of dynamics. With sponsor Albrecht's Fast Track added to the fold to join Schumacher Electric as a backer of Treble's PSM effort, he met the challenges head-on.

He qualified No. 9 at the prestigious U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis aboard a Suzuki he'd never ridden and clinched the No. 9 spot for the five-race Pro Stock Motorcycle Countdown to 1 playoffs. The Indiana native then rode to a quarterfinal finish in his DSR debut and is now geared up to begin the playoffs this weekend at the inaugural NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMax Dragway in Concord, N.C.

The quick turnaround seemed to suit Treble, who rides the second Suzuki to Chip Ellis for DSR. "This is an awesome situation," he said. "I felt pretty good going into Indy being with a new team and all. It was a little bit nerve-wracking, but I knew (crew chief) Steve Tartaglia knows what's going on and all the pressure was really on me.

"Basically, I had to get acclimated to the bike. I knew it would be fast, I wasn't worried about that. As far as being able to ride it, the first round of eliminations at Indy was one of the fastest 60-foot times of my entire career. Steve had a solid tune-up in that Schumacher Electric/Albrecht's Fast Track Suzuki and it ran really well.

"I'm pretty stoked heading into Concord," added Treble, who is 100 points out of No. 1 heading into the first event of the playoffs. "Steve's been working really hard in the engine room and the crew guys are working really hard on the bike. They changed a few things on the Suzuki to make it more comfortable for me. I could have ridden better at Indy, but as time goes on and I get some more seat time I'll become more acclimated to the bike and become smoother.

"The new Drag Way in Concord is going to be awesome," Treble said. "It's going to be a great track and we get to expose drag racing to a new market, so it's all good. I'm really excited."

CRAIG TREBLE QUICK FACTS:
* No. 9 in "regular" season points. Clinched a spot in the top 10 for the Countdown to 1 at the U.S. Nationals in Indy
* Reached two final rounds in 2008, runner-up in Chicago (Chris Rivas) and Norwalk (Hector Arana)
* Finished 2007 season No. 6 in points, two wins in three finals
* Won the U.S. Nationals in 2007
* Has finished in the top 10 in the point standings 10 straight seasons
* Best career finish is No. 2 in 2002 with four wins in six finals and three No. 1 qualifiers
* Appeared in four finals in 2003, won two races
* Appeared in four finals in 2004, won one race
* First No. 1 qualifier in Sonoma 2002
* Has won career-best 11 races in 25 final rounds
* First career PSM victory was Brainerd, Minn., 1999
* Qualified for nine straight Ringer Gloves Pro Stock Bike Battle bonus races (1999-2007), won in 2002.
* Two-time Reaction Time Challenge winner (2000-01)
* Age 43 (Sept. 1965), born in Valparaiso, Ind., now lives in New Orleans, La.
* Joined Don Schumacher Racing in 2008, prior to then U.S. Nationals

WEEKEND SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY, Sept. 12 - PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, Sept. 13 - PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
SUNDAY, Sept. 14 - Pre-race ceremonies, 11 a.m. FINAL ELIMINATIONS begin at noon

TELEVISION:
Saturday, Sept. 13, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying coverage at 4 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, Sept. 14, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will telecast NHRA Race Day, a 30-minute news magazine show, at 11 a.m. (ET).
Sunday, Sept. 14, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise three hours of final round eliminations at 7 p.m. (ET).

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