Treble Suffers Round One Upset in Columbus
 

Columbus, OH. - Sunday Post Race: Heading to the starting line for round one of Pro Stock Bike eliminations in Columbus, Craig Treble and the Matco Tools Suzuki team believed they had a great hot weather set-up, and they were ready to try it on the tricky surface at National Trail Raceway.

"I was as surprised as anyone by the slow run we had out of the bike today," explained Treble. "We thought it was ready for a 7.17 or a 7.18 type run, but when it left the starting line it just went nowhere."

The 7.254-second 184.47 mph pass from the Matco Tools Suzuki was only slightly behind the 7.219-second 185.82 mph run of Shawn Gann, who reached the stripe first by .027 seconds.

"We were looking for a semi-final or better here this weekend so obviously we are disappointed. The plan is to stay here in Columbus and test Monday," said Treble. "We need to find a good warm weather tune-up before heading to Englishtown and next weekends race."

Treble Sixth After Final Qualifying in Columbus
 

Columbus, OH. - Qualifying Pit Note: Following a strong qualifying effort from the Matco Tools Suzuki on Saturday, Craig Treble sits in the No. 6 position on the Pro Stock Bike ladder at the Pontiac Excitement Nationals presented by Summit Racing Equipment.

 "We did what we needed to do during the four qualifying sessions to learn about what the track likes, and what this bike wants here in Columbus," said Treble.

 In the first qualifying session on Saturday, the Matco Tools Suzuki stepped up the qualifying sheet by making a 7.151 second 186.72 mph run, then followed that with an afternoon pass of 7.169 seconds at 191.76 mph, good for a new speed record at National Trail Raceway.

 "On the first pass today we ran our set-up from the Chicago race and it worked out really well. Then we switched motors and tried a little something and that worked out for us too. The second hit didn't move us up in qualifying at all but it was good enough for the track mph record," commented Treble.

 Qualifying in the No. 6 position will put Treble against No. 11 qualifier and recent event winner Shawn Gann in round one of Pro Stock Bike eliminations Sunday morning.

 "I have the "Freak Show" first round tomorrow, and I will be on my toes going into that match-up in the morning. Gann is just a few hundredths behind us this weekend, but since he just won in Chicago we won't be taking him lightly," explained Treble.

Championship Drive Could Begin This Weekend.
 

Columbus, OH. - Pre-race: For the next three weekends, Craig Treble and the rest of the NHRA Pro Stock Bike class will be put to the test on both on-track performance, and off-track endurance.

This weekends NHRA event, the 40th annual Pontiac Excitement Nationals presented by Summit Racing Equipment, is the first of three-in-a-row race schedule, which will undoubtedly set the tone for the 2004 POWERade Pro Stock Bike championship.

"The Pro Stock Bike points are very spread out after the first four races because there have been four different winners," explained Craig Treble. "If someone can step up and perform solid for the next three weeks, they could put some distance between their team and the rest of the field."

Recently, the Matco Tools Suzuki team has put themselves in a position to make that happen. After purchasing the bike Matt Hines rode to a World Championship, Treble and crew put in their best showing of the season in Chicago. Now, armed with a proven bike, fresh Vance & Hines motors, and a sense of confidence, the team is ready to hit National Trail Raceway.

"This will be the first race we will come to with some runs under our belt with the new bike. We arrived in Chicago just days after buying it, and we had to make a few guesses at what to try that weekend." Treble continued, "just like at most races, the weather this weekend should play a part in performance, and I think we can run near the top and possibly get our first win of the season."

While Craig Treble and the Matco Tools Suzuki team displays their confidence coming into Columbus, there are two things that could derail their attempt at climbing to the top of the NHRA Pro Stock Bike points sheet, the Vance & Hines V-Rods.

"The Harley's are pretty much untouchable right now. If they run like they have shown that can this season, we will be fighting for third place in Columbus. My short-term plan is to beat them," commented Treble. "Long term, I say - if you can't beat 'em - join 'em."

The 40th annual Pontiac Excitement Nationals presented by Summit Racing Equipment, is the fifth of 15 events on the NHRA POWERade Pro Stock Bike Drag Racing Series tour.
 

Columbus Photos 2004