NHRA

St. Louis Pro Bike notebook

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: NHRA Communications (818) 914-4761 SEARS CRAFTSMAN NATIONALS PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE NOTEBOOK *A new life: Angelle Seeling has competed in the NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series for only 12 months, but she can't ...

Edited: May 8, 2001, 12:19 PM

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: NHRA Communications (818) 914-4761 SEARS CRAFTSMAN NATIONALS PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE NOTEBOOK *A new life: Angelle Seeling has competed in the NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series for only 12 months, but she can't imagine life without racing her Pro Stock Motorcycle at the elite level. "I don't know what would happen to me," Seeling said. "I would be clinically depressed without drag racing. I don't know what I would do. I never left Louisiana and I always worked shift work before I got into drag racing. My friends are now on the road." Seeling grew up near New Orleans and worked as a registered nurse. She moved to Americus, Ga., home of the Star Racing team, last year and became a full-time racer at the start of this season. *The Missile: Matt Hines has won three consecutive NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series national events on the Vance & Hines Suzuki GSXR for the first time in his career, which started last season. Hines, from Whittier, Calif., leads the NHRA Winston standings by 108 points over three-time Winston champion John Myers. Defending Winston champ Dave Schultz is 209 points behind Hines. "They simply have more resources than anyone else," Schultz said of Hines and his father, crew chief Byron Hines. "Byron and Matt have no other jobs besides that bike. I ran their drag-racing program back in 1991. I know them better than anyone else out here." Angelle Seeling, fifth in the points, thinks Hines can be caught. She points to her teammate, Myers, as a prime candidate. "They run an awesome show," Seeling said of Vance & Hines. "But as soon as we get more horsepower, we can be with them." *Toy story: Angelle Seeling has become so popular with drag-racing fans that an Angelle Seeling doll, complete with a helmet and Pro Stock Motorcycle, will be produced soon. "That is really exciting," Seeling said. *Taking a toll: Riding a Pro Stock Motorcycle probably requires more physical strength and finesse than any other NHRA category. Riders must use plenty of body English to keep their bikes headed straight down the quarter-mile. Angelle Seeling has adapted to that challenge quite well, despite her 5-foot-1, 100-pound frame. "I'm handling that well," Seeling said. "It's an accomplishment for me to get the bike down the track safely." But it has taken a toll. Pro Stock Motorcycles reach 100 mph in about two seconds, and that acceleration has caused Seeling's wrists to become sore after a weekend of racing. *Thanks, brother: Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Steve Johnson has received quite a hand this season from his younger brother, Allan Johnson, who joined the Slick 50 Suzuki crew. Allan Johnson helped his brother last year at the season-ending Winston Finals at Pomona, Calif., and decided to work with the team at every race this season. "Drag racing has so much of a family element," Steve Johnson said. "My mom and dad and my sister and brother have come to races for years. They've been on the moral support program more than anything. "But having Allan work on the bike is very cool. Allan is worth more than any crewman I could pay." Allan Johnson is an electrical specialist, an important area for all Pro Stock Motorcycle teams as electronic systems on the bikes become more sophisticated. "There's enough wiring on these bikes to land the space shuttle," Steve Johnson said. "Allan's really good at wiring." Johnson's other teammates are his girlfriend, Janie Molliston, and crew chief Fred Blauvelt. *Expo: The exciting sights and personalities of NHRA Winston Drag Racing will come to downtown St. Louis for the first time during the Western Auto Parts America "Thunder In The Streets" motorsports expo June 25. "Thunder In The Streets" is a street festival with a motorsports theme. The expo, open from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., will take place in Kiener Plaza, bordered by Market Street, Chestnut Street, Seventh Street and Broadway. Admission is free. Nearly 20 interactive displays, NHRA race cars and race-car transporters will be on display for fans. Many top NHRA drivers will sign autographs, including Kenny Bernstein, John Force, Shelly Anderson and Randy Anderson. *Schedule: Pro qualifying starts at 3:30 p.m. June 27 and continues at 7:30 p.m. that evening. Qualifying ends with sessions at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. June 28. Final eliminations start at 11 a.m. June 29.. Federal-Mogul competition starts at 10 a.m. June 26. *Tickets: Tickets are available for the Sears Craftsman Nationals. Call (888) 82-SPEED. Tickets also are available at MetroTix outlets. *On TV: ABC will televise one hour of highlights from the Sears Craftsman Nationals at 4 p.m. (CDT) July 6. *On the Web: The NHRA home page on the World Wide Web at http://www.goracing.com/nhra/ offers more information about NHRA Winston Drag Racing, including qualifying and eliminations results, news, point standings, statistics and driver biographies. -30- 6/17/97-MI5-095

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