Treble exits in round two in Reading
 

Reading, Pennsylvania - Post Race: Using his best run of the weekend, Craig Treble faced the team Army bike of Antron Brown in round two, but still came up short in the race, losing to the eventual event runner-up at the NHRA Lucas Oil Nationals.

Treble opened the day with a round one win over Matt Smith, using a 7.149 second; 185.77 mph pass to advance the Matco Tools Suzuki into the second round. "I had my reaction time right where I wanted against Smith, and that saved us in the first round." said Treble.

Entering round two against Brown, the Matco Tools Pro Stock Bike team was confident that the information gathered to this point in Reading would be the key to winning the race.

"We gave the Matco Tools bike a tune-up and went after it, but it just wasn't enough against Antron that round." said Treble. "We have been consistent this weekend, no doubt about that. Unfortunately, even our best of event, 7.132 at 186.90 run, wasn't enough to save us.

"All we can do now is get ready for Vegas by going over this bike again and try to find out what may be costing us some elapsed time. I still believe the Matco Tools Suzuki should be going faster that it is. The trick will be to go through the electrical system and took for anything that may be giving us a problem."

Treble eighth in Reading qualifying
 

Reading, Pennsylvania. – Qualifying: Craig Treble heads into final eliminations at the NHRA Lucas Oil Nationals in the eighth position, after mixed results from two days of qualifying at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pennsylvania.

"We ran our fastest of the four qualifying runs Saturday morning, but our best pass was the one right out of the trailer on Friday. Considering the weather conditions on both days, we needed to use our 7.141 second /185.64 mph initial pass to use as a baseline with the better air we were fortunate to have on Saturday. " Said Treble.

Although the Matco Tools team did improve in the early session Saturday morning, the 7.139/182.48 run was short of the numbers the team was looking for.

"The weather conditions were much better so we should have picked up a bunch instead of just a few thousandths." Said Treble. "That run put us in the show so now we will experiment a little and either make a big move toward the top, or not improve at all."

The final session 7.184/184.83 did not help the team as far as qualifying is concerned, but did provide information that will help in tuning on Sunday.

"I am disappointed with out qualifying effort here in Reading." Said Treble. "Our last pass was the slowest of the four qualifying runs, so we obviously know that we need to go back to our baseline run and tune the bike from there."

Sunday morning eliminations will pair Craig Treble and his Matco Tools bike against No. 9 qualifier Matt Smith.

"So far this weekend my reaction times have been right where I want them." Said Treble. "They have been consistently in the range I feel comfortable in, so it is nice heading into eliminations without worrying about leaving too early. I think we are in good shape for tomorrow. Hopefully we can make the right tuning calls and win a few rounds here in the morning."

Treble Ready to Return to Reading
 

Reading, Pennsylvania. - Pre-race: In his return to the rain delayed NHRA Lucas Oil Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pa, Craig Treble has done his best to put himself in position to take advantage of what is hoped to be outstanding conditions at a racetrack known for record setting runs.

"It seems like forever since we were out racing," said Treble. "I am more than anxious to try and take advantage of the cool air that is predicted for the weekend."

Although the Matco Tools Pro Stock Bike has not been in use on the racetrack, it has still received plenty of attention while waiting for the return to Reading.

"Vance & Hines went through my best motor and freshened it up." Said Treble. "Now it is up to me to tune and ride the Matco Tools bike, and try to make some runs that will put us in the top of the field."

Reading Photos 2004