NHRA

Englishtown: Valvoline/Eagle One preview

Matco Tools SuperNationals Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, Englishtown, NJ. May 17-19 Race 8 of the 23-event NHRA POWERade Series Pro Stock Motorcycle: Hines Owns MPH Record Three-time Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Matt Hines says the ...

Published: May 14, 2002, 2:16 PM

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Matco Tools SuperNationals
Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, Englishtown, NJ.
May 17-19
Race 8 of the 23-event NHRA POWERade Series

Pro Stock Motorcycle: Hines Owns MPH Record

Three-time Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Matt Hines says the next great barrier to be broken in NHRA is a sub-seven second run in the bike class. The Eagle One Suzuki rider owns the current national record of 7.092 seconds, set last October in Reading, Pa., and thinks that could be broken at Englishtown.

Hines on going for that record: "Atlanta (previous race) was a tune-up for Englishtown, because that's where all the serious numbers come up on the board. You know everyone's going to run their career best there. I want to be the first one to do it (sub-seven second run). When the Eagle One Suzuki is working so good, I just can't wait to get to the next race."

Hines rode his Eagle One Suzuki to the Englishtown track speed record -- and national mark -- of 194.10 mph last year and defeated GT Tonglet in the final round. He also won this event in 1997 and was the No. 1 qualifier in 1997, 1998 and 2000.

Hines will celebrate his 30th birthday the Tuesday after Englishtown (May 21).

SEASON-TO-DATE:
Gainesville (3/17) -- Qualified first. Lost in second round to Reggie Showers
Houston (4/14) -- Qualified fourth. Lost in second round to Geno Scali.
Atlanta (5/5) -- Qualified second. Lost in final round to Angelle Savoie.
Currently third in Pro Stock Motorcycle points.

MATT HINES
Age: 29
Residence: Trinadad, Colo.
2001 Season: 2 wins (Gainesville, Englishtown)
Third in Pro Stock Motorcycle points
Career: Three-time NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle champion (1997-98-99). NHRA
Pro Stock Motorcycle record 28 wins.

Pro Stock: Krisher 4th in Points

Ron Krisher, who opened the season with four consecutive Pro Stock poles, won at Las Vegas. He made it to the final round in the Eagle One Cavalier at Bristol.

Krisher has now qualified for an impressive 54 consecutive Pro Stock events, going back to the year 2000 season-opener at Pomona. Pro Stock may well be the most competitive racing series in the world, with between 34-37 cars typically trying for the 16 qualifying positions. Krisher was one of only four drivers to qualify for all 24 NHRA events in 2001.

Krisher owns his own drag racing engine development company, KRJ, located in Newark, Ohio. His company supplies engines to Pro Stock competitors Tom Hammonds and V. Gaines. Before entering Pro Stock, Krisher raced sports cars on road courses and sprint cars on dirt, and he's a self-made entrepreneur.

SEASON-TO-DATE:
Pomona (2/10) -- Qualified first. Lost in first round to George Marnell.
Firebird (2/24) -- Qualified first. Lost in second round to Kurt Johnson.
Gainesville (3/17) -- Qualified first. Lost in first round (red light) to Mark Whisnant.
Las Vegas (4/7) -- Qualified first. Won final round over Darrell Alderman.
Houston (4/14) -- Qualified fourth. Lost in first round to Bruce Allen.
Bristol (4/28) -- Qualified fifth. Lost in final round to Warren Johnson.
Atlanta (5/5) -- Qualified seventh. Lost in first round to Darrell Alderman.
Currently fourth in Pro Stock points.

RON KRISHER
Age: 54
Residence: Warren, Ohio
2001 Season: 1 win (Topeka)
Eighth in Pro Stock points
Career Wins: 4

Top Fuel: Russell In Top 10

Darrell Russell has worked his way into the top 10 in Top Fuel points after a difficult start to the season. In Las Vegas, he started working with new crew chief Wayne Dupuy and an essentially all-new crew.

Continuing one of the most successful partnerships in modern motor racing, Valvoline returns in 2002 for the 19th season as a sponsor of Joe Amato's Top Fuel team. From 1984 through his retirement after the 2000 campaign, Valvoline's technical, product and financial support helped Amato to five Top Fuel championships and 52 victories, both NHRA records. Darrell Russell added to the record in 2001, with two wins, and NHRA Rookie of the Year honors in Amato's dragster. Bilstein Engine Flush is Amato Racing's new primary sponsor.

SEASON-TO-DATE:
Pomona (2/10) -- Qualified 15th. Lost in first round to Larry Dixon.
Firebird (2/24) -- Qualified 12th. Lost in first round to Doug Kalitta.
Gainesville (3/17) -- Qualified 13th. Lost in first round to Doug Kalitta.
Las Vegas (4/7) -- Qualified 12th. Lost in second round to Tony Schumacher.
Houston (4/14) -- Qualified seventh. Lost in first round to John Smith.
Bristol (4/28) -- Qualified sixth. Lost in final round to Larry Dixon.
Atlanta (5/5) -- Qualified 14th. Lost in first round to Cory McClenathan.
Currently eighth in Top Fuel points.

DARRELL RUSSELL
Age: 33
Residence: Hockley, Tex.
2001 Season: NHRA Rookie of the Year
2 wins (Pomona, Feb.; Las Vegas, Oct.)
Sixth in Top Fuel points

JOE AMATO
Age: 57
Residence: Moosic, Pa.
Career: NHRA Top Fuel record-holder with five championships and 52 wins.
Retired following 2000 season.

NEXT EVENT: O'Reilly Summer Nationals, Heartland Park, Topeka, Kan., May 24-26.

-v/eo-

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