"We needed that win," Gann said. "We needed that boost in the points and we needed the confidence. It's no secret that we've had some bad luck this year, but we're focused on making the Countdown to 1 and it's looking good for us. We just need to focus right now and get this XTreme Rebellion/RumBum Buell set up right."

The four-time Nationals winner fouled out with a red light last weekend in Brainerd against eventual class runner-up Junior Pippin with a -.002. It was a hard loss for Gann, who has been strong this season when it comes to his reaction times.

Heading into this weekend's NHRA Full Throttle Series event in Reading, Gann is less than thrilled. He enjoys the crowds and the fans, but his lack of success here definitely weighs on his mind.

"Reading is one of the worst things I have to go through in my life," he said. "Reading is a nice track and it's a nice spot and the fans are nice, but I've never had good luck there. It's one of those things where if you go somewhere and you know when you step into your truck to leave and you're going somewhere where you know you've never been successful at, you kinda just dread going."

Gann and the rest of the NHRA Full Throttle Series Pro Stock Motorcycle class qualify for Sunday's eliminations for the Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals Friday at 3 p.m. EST and again at 6 p.m. Saturday's qualifying for the bikes is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. with the second round starting at 2 p.m. Sunday's eliminations begin at 11 a.m.

For more information about the Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway, visit them on the Web at MapleGroveRaceway.com. Event qualifying can be seen on ESPN2 Sunday at 1 a.m. EST and again at 10 a.m. Sunday. Eliminations air at 10 p.m. EST Sunday and again Wednesday at 3 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)
* Gann is currently eighth in NHRA Full Throttle Series PSM points, 17 points ahead of ninth place Steve Johnson and 39 points ahead of 11th-place Michael Phillips
* Gann has earned five career top qualifier awards: Las Vegas (2006); Englishtown, Madison (2003); Houston, Pomona (2002)
* Gann's career round wins record is 118-117, including 12 final round appearances
* Gann round win record in 2009 is 6-10
* Gann lost in the first round to Chip Ellis after qualifying 15th in this event 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)

Courtesy of HighSideMedia