Joliet: Ryan Schnitz Friday summary

Schnitz Seventh in Chicago

"Well, we did good today," said Ryan Schnitz, sitting in seventh place on his Trim-Tex/Muzzy's Buell after the first day of Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying at the NHRA event at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Illinois.

qualifying round 1
"Our first round wasn't so great. We were just drying the new Trim-Tex paint, making sure we didn't peel the decals off it going down the track," laughed Schnitz, referring to his sponsor.

qualifying round 2
"We're seventh in a really, really tight field. It's looking like Pro Stock Car out there today. We've got really good air here and everybody has a chance to run their best numbers this weekend.

"The data's showing things that our bike wants and we're getting there. We put our Gainesville 7.01 tune-up back in and went a 7.08, so we're getting there. We've changed valve springs, and the gearing may have been off a little bit for the change in weather and crosswind speed. We'll change the clutch a little bit and with those few changes, we're looking to run a 7.05 or even better."

It's notable that Schnitz isn't taking aim at former teammate (from AMA/Prostar days) Chip Ellis's pace setting 7.01. "Chip's was an outstanding first round qualifying pass," said Ryan. "They're working as hard as anybody and they have a really good set-up right now.

"But Joe (Trim-Tex president Joe Koenig) is excited, we're excited, and we're looking forward to a great weekend."

-www.schnitzracing.com