Sonoma: Ken Van Buren Friday notes

Van Buren's steady improvements keep AGP Motorsports team optimistic

SONOMA, Calif. (July 24, 2009)-- AGP Turbo Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Ken Van Buren ran his fastest speed in a professional class to date today at 177.21 mph in the FRAM-Autolite NHRA Nationals in Sonoma Calif. He ended the day No. 20 with two more qualifying laps yet to go tomorrow.

Van Buren's elapsed time of 7.454 is an improvement of a full two-tenths of a second quicker that his best time at the last race, just two weeks ago in Denver, Colo.

"We came into this race with the goal to keep moving forward, and that's exactly what we're doing," Van Buren, a resident of New River, Ariz., said.

"We're still chasing the tune-up, so we're not quite there yet. Every pass I feel more comfortable on this AGP Turbo Suzuki, and we get closer to getting it all together," he said.

"Mitchel Lippen, our crew chief, Ben (Kriegsfeld, team owner) and I will go over the data we got today, make a few changes, and hit it again tomorrow. We've still got a great shot at making the show on Sunday, and that's really what we're aiming for right now," he said.

-credit: kvbPR