The NHRA may exert the effort but their dream of parity in Pro Stock Motorcycle unlikely says competitors

The NHRA has tried everything short of Can-Am starts to achieve parity
in their Pro Stock Motorcycle division but a handful of competitors
feel the attempts are an exercise in futility. In other words, one
would be more likely to achieve peace in the Middle East than put the
bikes on an even keel.

Nevermind the fact the NHRA has lightened the load on the Suzuki
combination (610 pounds with rider) for the 2008 season, the
combination was still .07 behind the Harley-Davidson V-rod. For that
matter, the Buell V-twin combination was .06 behind the Harley-Davidson
combination during the recent Eastern Spring Test Nationals in
Valdosta, Georgia.

“To be honest for sure the quicker thing would be peace in the Middle
East than reach parity in the class,” Steve Johnson, President of PRO2,
the group representing Pro Stock Motorcycle said.

Pro Stock veteran tests hard in Valdosta looking for success in Gainesville …

Depending on how you measure success, Larry Morgan has already proven
he's putting forth a winning effort in 2008. The veteran Pro Stock
driver from Newark, Ohio has yet to qualify in 2008 yet he keeps on
making the field and in Phoenix winning national events.

Confused?

Morgan’s personal racing experience hasn’t proven fruitful but his
clientele are more than making up for any perceived slackness. In
simple terms, Morgan’s engines are running to the front of the class –
even though he’s experienced some tough times thus far in his own cars.

 
While a win at even one NHRA national event is considered a significant
achievement by the competitors who race on the 24-event POWERade tour, a victory
for Team Chevy's Tom Hammonds at next weekend's 39th annual ACDelco
Gatornationals would mark a noteworthy accomplishment and season turning point
for the former NBA power forward now turned Pro Stock driver. A Florida native
who calls Crestview home, the 40-year-old Hammonds fully understands the
heritage and tradition of competing at Gainesville Raceway and what it would
mean to take home an event trophy from the Gatornationals.

"The ACDelco
Gatornationals are a huge deal for me," Hammonds said. "Other than the U.S.
Nationals, it's one of our biggest races. It's the first race on the East Coast,
and just looking at the entry list for Pro Stock, there are 34 cars already
pre-registered, which gives you an indication of just how big this event is. Not
only in that aspect, but it's pretty close to my hometown.

"To have a
'Wally' from the Gatornationals, an event that's practically in my backyard,
would be tremendous. There's so much prestige and history at Gainesville and
it's always one of the fastest races of the year. As a racer, that's what we
want to do, we want to go fast, and next week in Gainesville, you'd better hold
on."

Warren Johnson plans to unveil his brand-new Pontiac GXP this weekend
during the NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Florida. The "Professor"
spent much of Wednesday dailing in the new car for the debut. The new
ride showed promise as WJ laid down a 6.63 elapsed time in the heat of
the day at 210.34 miles per hour. The sleek piece also registered a
165.16 half-track speed.

Successful business owner and journeyman racer, Mike Knowles had high hopes as
he and his Knowles Racing team prepared for the 2008 season. Unfortunately, a
new car, new engine program, and hopes of a winning season were almost all lost
this Monday at the CSR
Eastern Spring Test Nationals in Valdosta, GA.

 With the weekends’ testing cut short due to
inclement weather Mike Knowles was forced to head back home with no passes under
his belt. Knowles felt it best to leave his team, and head back home while
veteran driver Quain Stott filled in behind the wheel of Knowles’ Blown Money
‘63 Corvette.

For the first time in more than 18 years, local Gainesville resident, business
owner, and drag racing legend Frank Hawley will be among those to compete this
weekend at Gainesville Raceway Park in the ACDelco NHRA Gatornationals. Hawley,
a two-time NHRA Funny Car champion, is the proprietor of the Frank Hawley NHRA
Drag Racing School which is headquartered at the Raceway, and this year will be
piloting a nitro Funny Car for Mike Ashley and Roger Burgess' Gotham City
Racing.
 
"A lot has changed since I drove last in 1991," Hawley said.
"Funny Cars go a lot faster, there's so much more technology available to help
tune the cars, and the safety features have gotten so much better.

 
"With the school, I've obviously stayed really keyed in to what's been
happening in this world, and actually, after listening to so many crew chiefs
over the years, I think I know how to communicate with Aaron [Brooks] and Rod
[Centorbi, co-crew chiefs] about what's happening in the car so they can make
their tuning decisions."

The JEGS ProMod Challenge has aligned itself with the team of award-winning
photographers from Auto Imagery Inc. to capture the 2008 series. Auto Imagery
professionals will be on hand at each of the 10 national events of the JEGS
ProMod Challenge and will be posting a stunning assortment of riveting images to
www.JegsProMod.com on a daily
basis.

"Richard Shute, Dave Kommel, and Bob Hesser have provided the
photography for Team JEGS and we have always found them to be professional,
reliable, and their service is second-to-none," said Scott Woodruff, Director of
Motorsports and Marketing for JEGS. "It's great that they'll be capturing all of
the exciting action from the racetrack this year.

This weekend promises to be a different kind of race for Morgan Lucas.

The driver of the Forrest Lucas-owned Lucas Oil Top Fuel dragster will
be returning to the ACDelco Gatornationals, the site of the Gainesville
Raceway, where it was the last time the 24-year old Lucas saw his great
friend, Eric Medlen before his untimely death in a testing accident
last year. 

“Words just can’t describe how I feel about going back,” said Lucas,
reminiscing of his fellow Brat Pack member, Medlen.  “It’s hard to
believe it’s been a year since he’s been gone.  His spirit dwells in us
all and we’re all better off for it.  He’s left such a powerful legacy
for us to follow and it’s up to us to continue his good work.  We all
miss him and it’s such a terrible loss that we’ve all been grieving for
a year now.  I know J.R., Brandon and I are going to hoist a glass to
his honor Wednesday night.”

Second-generation Pro Stock driver ready to carry on the family name in driving

Rickie Jones has developed into a teenager wise beyond his years. The
19-year old son of RJ Race Cars owner and former Pro Stock driver Rick
Jones showed the same maturity this weekend as a freshman driver.

Jones completed his licensing requirements during the CSR Eastern
Spring Test Nationals presented by Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com in
Valdosta, Ga. He not only fulfilled the required incremental and full
run obligations, but also established the second quickest elapsed time
amongst the 500-inch entrants at SGMP.

“This is an experience I’ll never forget,” said an elated Jones after
the run. “I want to say thanks to my dad for making this all happen.
He’s a large driving force behind what I’ve been able to accomplish.”

Humphreys, Glidden Ride
Excellent New-car Test Results into
Gatornationals

Bob Glidden sounded like a very happy man.

“I am,” the 10-time NHRA Pro Stock champion and 85-race winner said
Wednesday evening.  “We got finished
early and I’m already in my hotel room (in Gainesville, Fla.).”

What he and the crew of Justin Humphreys’ RaceRedi Motorsports Pro Stock
team finished was testing their new Pontiac GXP following a busy three days at
Bradenton, Fla. The car’s performance elicited an
“outstanding” description from the veteran crew chief, enabling the team to head
up I-75 to Gainesville in time for dinner.