Treble Looks For Quality Time With a Good Friend
 

Sonoma, CA. – Pre Race:

The relationship between racetracks and drivers are tricky, complicated, and impossible to accurately describe. But like a relationship between two people, when you find one that works, don’t analyze it, simply accept it and enjoy. 

At the Fram Autolite NHRA Nationals in Sonoma, CA, Craig Treble and the Matco Tools / Lucas Oil Suzuki team will look at this race much like time spent with a good friend, and they can’t wait.

 “Infineon Raceway has always been good to me,” said Treble. “It is one racetrack that we have done well at every season since we started racing here in 2002.”   A win at the inaugural NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle race in 2002 and semi-final finishes in ’03 and ’04 put Sonoma near the top of the performance list for the Matco Tools / Lucas Oil Suzuki.

 Add the Sonoma success of the past to the recent consistency used by Treble on the NHRA tour, and the stage could certainly be set for a second win at Infineon.

 “The race in Denver two weeks ago proved that if we are consistent we can qualify well, win rounds, and hopefully win races,” said Treble. “Harry Lartigue has helped the team be patient, teaching us to slowly work in the right direction during an event. I think we’re a pretty solid team right now.”

Treble Qualifies in Top Half of Field
 

Sonoma, CA. – Qualifying Pit Note:

Following a series of runs in the 7-teens, Craig Treble's Matco Tools / Lucas Oil Suzuki clung to the final spot in the top half of the Pro Stock Motorcycle field, qualifying No. 8 at the Fram Autolite NHRA Nationals in Sonoma, CA.

Treble was fast early, laying down a 7.123 in the opening session on Friday. The pass was strong enough to put the Matco Tools / Lucas Oil Suzuki team fifth before the decision was made to use the remaining qualifying runs to prepare for Sunday.

 “We figured the .12 run would not hold up throughout Saturday’s qualifying sessions, but we wanted to try a soft -up and a different motor,” said Treble. “The last pass on Saturday was a 7.163, and that was with a safe set-up that we hope we can tune to go rounds tomorrow morning.”

Craig Treble and his Matco Tools / Lucas Oil Suzuki will face Chip Ellis on his G Squared/S&S Buell in round one Sunday morning.

Treble Shown the Door Early in Sonoma
 

Sonoma, CA. – Post Race: 

Craig Treble’s day at the Fram Autolite NHRA Nationals in Sonoma, CA. was as short as his explanation for his round one loss.

 “I was greedy,” said Treble.

 After a series of consistent and predictable runs from the Matco Tools / Lucas Oil Suzuki in qualifying, a slight change in jetting for eliminations on Sunday slowed the Treble bike considerably.

 “I take the blame for this one,” said Treble. “The monkey on the bike got a hold of the gun again and shot the team in the foot.”

 The round one loss to Chip Ellis came after the G Squared/S&S Buell rider crossed the finish line first, running a 7.156 / 179.97 against Treble’s 7.236 / 184.44.

 The first round pass was the slowest of the weekend from the Matco Tools / Lucas Oil Suzuki, something not lost on team leader Treble.

 “We learned a good lesson from that slip-up today,” said Treble. “It just might be the thing that helps us score at the next event.”

Sonoma Photos 2005