Commerce: Junior Pippin final report

JUNIOR PIPPIN MOVES UP TO 14TH DESPITE FIRST-ROUND LOSS IN ATLANTA

COMMERCE, Ga., April 27, 2008 - Junior Pippin posted the fastest ¼-mile speed of his short NHRA POWERade Pro Stock Motorcycle career on his PiranaZ Racing S&S-powered V-Twin, but fouled out during a first-round loss in today's 28th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Spring Nationals here at Atlanta Dragway.

Qualifying for his fourth race in four tries - going back to last season's final event - earned the Conyers, Ga., resident enough points to move up one spot to 14th in the pro-stock motorcycle championship hunt.

"We are heading in the right direction," said the 55-year-old NHRA rookie about the weekend of racing. "I took a shot at the tree because it was the only shot I had against Chip (Ellis, who ran a 6.967-second elapsed time at 192.11 miles per hour), but red lit. "I'm thrilled with the way the run went, my fastest ever (188.2 mph) and my quickest ¼ mile of the weekend (7.102-second E.T.)."

Pippin, whose day job puts him behind one of the 28 dump trucks operated by Junior Pippin Trucking, qualified 15th for the race on the strength of a 7.147-second E.T. at 187.18 mph run in yesterday's final qualifying session.

"I am excited about how we keep improving and I will surprise a lot of folk before this thing ends," he said.

-credit: g2m