Pomona II: Chip Ellis Friday summary

Day 2: Ellis still on top

POMONA, Calif. (November 12, 2004) -- Without too much improvement by all the Pro Stock Motorcycle competitors in today's single qualifying session, Chip Ellis, aboard the G2/S&S/Star Racing Buell, maintained his hold on the top spot at the NHRA Automobile Club of Southern California Finals.

The G Squared Motorsports-backed bike, owned by George Bryce and George Smith, recorded an elapsed time of 7.063 seconds yesterday and followed that up with a 7.101-second pass today..

Running a new S&S power plant and a new tire for today's session, Ellis, while pleased with the run, feels he has more for tomorrow.

"The guys at S&S have supplied the power, George Bryce and Ken Johnson (co-crew chiefs) have the tune up looking good and the driver did an okay job. Together it's a winner," said Ellis, who won the AMA/Prostar 600 Supersport Championship last weekend.

"I think the first run in the morning will be our best opportunity to improve on our 7.06 of yesterday. The air should be good. I think we had more in our run today, but I short shifted between third and fourth (gear). That means I didn't let the engine wind up enough before I shifted." It could have meant a difference of three or four hundredth."

Team owner George Smith agreed with Ellis' assessment of the performance that session.

"Chip did a good job out there today. The tune up appeared to be right on," said Smith. "It was a great pass with Geno (Scali) and Chip, one and two of the session. With the new S&S engine, we are pleased it ran like it did. That gives us two good power plants for the weekend."

Qualifying concludes on Saturday with two additional sessions at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Eliminations begin on Sunday for all classes at 11 a.m. All times are local Pomona time (PST) and subject to change at anytime.

Qualifying highlights for the NHRA Automobile Club of Southern California Finals can be seen on ESPN2 on Saturday (Nov. 13) from 10 p.m. until midnight. ESPN2 will also air same-day television coverage of eliminations from 6 until 9 p.m. on Sunday (Nov. 14). ESPN2 will repeat the elimination show from 3-5 p.m. on Friday (Nov. 19). Television times are Eastern Time (ET) and subject to change at anytime. Check local listings.

-gsm