Sat, 15 Nov 2008, 02:32 PM Pro Stock Motorcycle Qualifying Notes, Session #3

By Darryl Jackman

POMONA, Calif. - Notes from round 3 qualifying in Pro Stock Motorcycle at the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, 44th annual Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals listing lane, rider name, elapsed time/top speed this round, position in order following run, best prior elapsed time/speed, and position in order prior to run:

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Right Lane: Chip Ellis Runs 7.049/187.31, Now #6; Best prior run: 7.112/185.13, Was #8

11:09 a.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 80 degrees, relative humidity 16 percent, barometer 28.94 inches, adjusted altitude 2,794 feet, track temperature 101 degrees.

That was much better for Ellis and he moves himself further up in the top half. Nice openers and the conditions are not bad.

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Left Lane: Angelle Sampey Runs 7.031/185.49, Now #3; Best prior run: 7.024/185.33, Was #3
Right Lane: Shawn Gann Runs 7.110/183.19, Now #9; No Prior Run

Sampey shows some consistency but can't improve on her earlier numbers. Gann makes a big move and just misses the top half.

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Left Lane: Ryan Schnitz No Time, Now #20; No Prior Run
Right Lane: Michael Phillips Runs 7.186/186.74, Now #13; Best prior run: 7.135/189.02, Was #13

Schnitz has a problem and his bike is literally dragged off the starting line by the wheelie bars. Phillips gets no help.

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Left Lane: Peggy Llewellyn Runs 7.146/182.43, Now #14; No Prior Run
Right Lane: Freddie Camarena Runs 7.417/176.84, Now #15; No Prior Run

Since the provisional spots are open these two make the show for the moment. I can't think that either time will hold.

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Left Lane: Valerie Thompson Runs 7.393/179.85, Now #15; No Prior Run
Right Lane: James Surber Runs 7.563/176.51, Now #17; No Prior Run

Same for this pair. They'll need that final qualifying session.

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Left Lane: Steve Johnson Runs 10.340/78.87, Now #9; Best prior run: 7.107/186.56, Was #8
Right Lane: Hector Arana Runs 6.996/191.29, Now #1; Best prior run: 7.134/185.03, Was #12

Johnson just about buys a section of concrete wall as the bike turned left right off the starting line. Arana becomes the first rider to put their bike in the six second zone so we have a new #1.

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Left Lane: Mike Berry Runs 7.148/182.65, Now #15; No Prior Run
Right Lane: Angie McBride Runs 7.165/182.97, Now #11; Best prior run: 7.123/182.62, Was #11

Fair runs for this pair.

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Left Lane: Craig Treble Runs 16.286/43.49, Now #12; Best prior run: 7.134/185.84, Was #12
Right Lane: Matt Guidera Runs 7.196/179.37, Now #16; No Prior Run

Treble was riding a raging bull at the hit and it darn near bucked him off! That was a wide ride that I'm betting ESPN will include in the highlights tonight. Guidera in on the bump.

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Left Lane: Junior Pippin Runs 7.139/179.23, Now #8; Best prior run: 7.057/184.75, Was #8
Right Lane: Chris Rivas Runs 7.094/179.66, Now #9; No Prior Run

Pippin remains #8 but Rivas bumps himself well into the field.

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Left Lane: Karen Stoffer Runs 7.015/186.38, Now #4; Best prior run: 7.033/187.39, Was #5
Right Lane: Matt Smith Runs 6.962/188.86, Now #1; Best prior run: 7.024/186.48, Was #3

Smith really unloads one on the field and now he can sort of sit back and watch the fun. Good looking run for Smith and team. Stoffer was not THAT far behind and actually moves up a spot to #4.

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Left Lane: Eddie Krawiec Runs 6.987/189.55, Now #2; Best prior run: 7.013/188.70, Was #3
Right Lane: Andrew Hines Runs 7.027/188.83, Now #6; Best prior run: 7.042/187.50, Was #6

Krawiec becomes the next six second player as he slides his bike in right behind Smith in the qualifying order. Hines will do a bit of tuning before the final session later on today.

Timing data courtesy of CompuLink