Treble disappointed at 50th NHRA U.S. Nationals
 

Indianapolis, TN. – Monday Post Race: Craig Treble leaves the 50th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals disappointed with the teams' performance after picking up a single round win in the two race weekend in Indianapolis, Indiana.

 At times this weekend it looked like we were on a roll with our performance here in Indy, but just as quick the bike wouldn't really do what we were looking for, and that is frustrating," said Treble. "The consistency wasn't there. We would make a good pass, followed by one that produced less than anticipated results."

 Treble started the day Monday with a round one match-up against Matt Smith, using a 7.225 second, 184.12 mph run to advance to face recent event champion Antron Brown in round two.

 "We actually ran about what we wanted to against Smith, so we stuck with the same set-up for the next round against Antron," said Treble. "Although the tune-up was the same, the bike reacted differently and we lost the round."

 The 7.337 / 179.68 pass from the Matco Tools Suzuki in the race was the slowest of the weekend for the team, and left Treble searching for answers.

 "Our job now is to dig into the bike and sort it out before Reading," said Treble. "At this point all I can say is I am disappointed with our Indy weekend because we really though we had a good bike coming into this race."

Treble's back-up bike, ridden in Indy by Chris Bostick, did perform well, advancing to the semi-finals before losing to eventual 50th U.S. Nationals champion Antron Brown.

 "The bright spot of the weekend is the way the second bike performed with Chris riding it," said Treble. "I always believed that bike would work, it just needed to be refined a little. Now it hauls."

Treble qualifies seventh at 50th U.S. Nationals
 

Indianapolis, TN. – Qualifying: Craig Treble used a 7.208 second; 185.41 mph run to put his Matco Tools Suzuki seventh in Pro Stock Bike qualifying at the 50th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, Indiana.

 Treble opened the weekend with a pair of 7.208 second runs, the first during Friday qualifying, and the second in the first round of the K & N Filters Pro Bike Klash on Saturday.

 "Our second 7.208 run during the Klash was a good pass, problem was that it was the second fastest Suzuki that round," said Treble. "We will tune up the bike and concentrate on staying in the top half of the field for the rest of qualifying."

The Matco Tools bike sat out the second Saturday qualifying session due to a vacuum pump problem, then finished Indy qualifying using Sunday's two runs tuning for Monday morning eliminations.

Treble's second bike which is usually used as a back-up piece is being run by Chris Bostick in Indianapolis, and is also qualified for the 16 bike field.

 "I have been running like crazy between the two trailers this weekend trying to get both bikes in the show," said Treble. "We made some updates to the frame on that bike a few weeks ago, and with Chris riding it the bike has responded as well as we hoped it would to the changes."

 With Treble qualified in the seventh spot, and Bostick in the sixth, The Matco Tools bikes could be in for a big day on Monday.

 "Hopefully we have learned something with the passes both bikes have made to this point and we can get them each to go a few rounds in eliminations," said Treble. "Whoever wins the 50th U.S. Nationals will need both luck and skill, and hopefully it will be a Matco Tools bike to get it done."

50TH Indy promises lasting memories
 

Indianapolis, TN. - Pre-race: Like every other event on the NHRA POWERade tour, Craig Treble wants to put his Matco Tools Suzuki in the winner's circle, and take home the Wally in the Pro Stock Bike class. But at the 50th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, every competitor will admit that winning this race, this weekend, will provide some lasting and special memories that only come with winning Indy.

 "The points awarded at this race are the same as at any other, but there is no doubt, everyone wants to win the U.S. Nationals," said Treble. "For the Pro Stock Bike class, we have a busy weekend, but that's what I like, lots of racing."

 Some riders like Treble will have two races to participate in at Indy, thanks to the involvement of K & N Filters backing of the Pro Bike Klash. The special event features the 8 top riders who have collected Klash points while qualifying at NHRA national events since last September.

 "It is a great opportunity to showcase and promote the Pro Stock Bike class," said Treble. "We are qualified 4th this year, hopefully we can go the distance and win it like we did two years ago."

Indy Photos 2004