Wed, 16 Sep 2009, 09:58 PM There's No Place Like Home for Gann

Courtesy of HighSideMedia

CONCORD, N.C. -- XTreme Rebellion/RumBum rider and Stoneville, N.C. native ready for Countdown debut.

The NHRA Carolinas Nationals at zMAX Dragway is what Stoneville, N.C. native Shawn Gann has always wanted: an NHRA Full Throttle Series race where the XTreme Rebellion/RumBum team has home field advantage.

"Oh, God, I love home!" said the four-time Pro Stock Motorcycle winner. "I love to be at home because I've never been able to race close to home."

While Gann went out early last year against fellow North Carolinian Matt Smith, it was still a memorable event. "It was awesome," he said. "The whole idea of getting in a truck, taking a nap, and waking up (at home) is good. You can't beat that. That's a good day."

Friday will also be a good day for Gann, as it kicks off his debut in the Countdown to 1, the NHRA's playoff system. The 33-year-old qualified for every PSM event during the 2009 season and is ready to make a run for the title.

"We put ourselves in a decent position," he said. "There were times we should have been better and times where we had some electrical problems, but at the end of the day, our XTreme Rebellion/RumBum Buell is solid and we're going to win some rounds. People are going to know who we are by the time we get to Pomona."

Gann and the rest of the NHRA Full Throttle Series Pro Stock Motorcycle class qualify for Sunday's eliminations for the NHRA Carolinas Nationals Friday at 2:30 p.m. EST with a special introduction of the PSM Countdown participants at 2:15. The second qualifying round on Friday is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. Saturday's qualifying for the bikes is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. with the final round starting at 2:30 p.m. Sunday's eliminations begin at Noon.

For more information about the NHRA Carolinas Nationals at zMAX Dragway, visit them on the Web at LowesMotorSpeedway.com/Dragway. Event qualifying can be seen on ESPN2 Saturday at 11:30 p.m. EST. Eliminations air at 7 p.m. EST Sunday and again Thursday at 1:30 a.m. The race can be heard via live streaming Sunday at NHRA.com.

Fans can follow Shawn Gann at Twitter.com/ShawnGann or on his page on Facebook.

SHAWN GANN FAST FACTS:
* Gann is a four-time Nationals event winner in the NHRA Full Throttle Series Pro Stock Motorcycle class: Joliet, Denver (2004); Englishtown (2003); Las Vegas (2001)
* This is Gann's first appearance in the Countdown to 1
* Gann is currently ninth in NHRA Full Throttle Series PSM points, 10 points ahead of tenth place Karen Stoffer
* Gann has earned five career top qualifier awards: Las Vegas (2006); Englishtown, Madison (2003); Houston, Pomona (2002)
* Gann's career round wins record is 119-119, including 12 final round appearances
* Gann round win record in 2009 is 7-12
* Gann lost to Matt Smith in the first round of eliminations last year
* Gann's highest finish in the year-end points standings in the Pro Stock Motorcycle class is third (2003) on the strength of one win, one runner-up, and a final round win record of 21-14
* Won the Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle at the U.S. Nationals at Indy (2001)
* Gann's career-best speed is 193.65 (Houston, 2006) and career-best ET is 6.952 (Reading, 2006)

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