Pomona II: Chip Ellis Thursday summary

POMONA, Calif. (November 11, 2004) -- Picking up where he left off at Las Vegas, Chip Ellis took the No. 1 spot as qualifying action got underway today for the 40th annual NHRA Automobile Club of Southern California Finals.

Ellis, in today's single qualifying session, stopped the finish line clocks at Pomona Raceway with a pass of 7.063 seconds at 187.36 mph aboard his G2/S&S/Star Racing Buell. His elapsed time of 7.063 seconds was a Pomona Raceway track record for the Pro Stock Bike class.

"The only word that can describe today's run is awesome," said Ellis. "George Bryce (team owner of G Squared Motorsports (G2) along with George Smith) and Ken Johnson (crew chief) had the G2/S&S/Star Racing Buell tuned just right for the conditions here at Pomona today.

"The run was smooth.  The bike ran straight and I hit all my shift
points at just the right time.  The result was an awesome pass."

Team owner George Smith was please with today's performance also.

"S&S continues to supply us with power plants that produce exceptional power," said Smith. "This is the engine that won the last race in Vegas and the only changes we made were to adjust to the track and air conditions here at Pomona.

"Our focus this weekend is to continue working on engine consistency and longevity."

Qualifying continues tomorrow with one session at 2 p.m. Qualifying concludes with two additional sessions on Saturday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Ellis aboard the G2/S&S/Star Racing Buell begins his quest for the Pro Stock Bike title on Sunday with eliminations for all classes beginning 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-