Treble carefully approaches U.S. Nationals
 

Indianapolis, IN. – Pre Race:

Coming into the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, Indiana, a race universally accepted as the premier event of the NHRA drag racing season, the Matco Tools / Lucas Oil Suzuki team admits to a careful and measured approach.

In the last two NHRA POWERade Pro Stock Motorcycle events, Craig Treble has seen both ends of the racing spectrum. The eight time national event champion has had a motorcycle fast enough to lead the Suzuki contingent in Brainerd, MN, and then was unable to qualify that same bike in Memphis, TN.

"Recently, we have been as quick as I know we can be, but we have had some problems along the way that have us scratching our heads," said Treble.

Which leads to the issue of the upcoming event, and the Matco Tools / Lucas Oil Suzuki teams attempt to prepare for it.

"Harry Lartigue and I defiantly worked out a few details on the bike during testing last week," said Treble. "Hopefully, we have a handle on it now and we can put ourselves near the top of the qualifying sheet in Indy"

Unlike all other events on the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle schedule, the U.S. Nationals qualifying sessions pull double duty, increasing the importance of making fast runs in qualifying.

The three Saturday qualifying sessions will also be "competition" rounds for the annual Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle. The eight riders running for the $15,000 first place money earned their births in the Battle from collecting points throughout the season during qualifying at NHRA national events.

Craig Treble will ride the Matco Tools / Lucas Oil Suzuki starting from the eighth position and will face Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle No. 1 qualifier Andrew Hines aboard his Vance & Hines Screamin Eagle V-Rod.

"We want to qualify for the U.S. Nationals anyway, so collecting the Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle along the way would be that much sweeter. It's a race I would love to win again," said Treble.
 

Treble Ninth at U.S. Nationals
 

Indianapolis, IN. – Qualifying Report: 

Craig Treble claimed the No. 9 qualifying spot in Pro Stock Motorcycle at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Matco Tools / Lucas Oil Suzuki's best pass put the motorcycle right in the middle of an amazingly tight U.S. Nationals 16 bike field.

"At this point we think we have our act together, and have this bike going down the track close to the way we want it to," said Treble. "Funny thing is, the runs that produced our best numbers were actually our worst."

A 7.125 / 184.57 shot in the 4th qualifying session earned Treble his No. 9 spot, but it was the 7.168 / 188.44 run in the 5th and final session that has the Matco Tools / Lucas Oil Suzuki team all smiles.

"We ran a 7.12, a 7.14, and a 7.16, and the last of those was by far our best run this weekend," said Treble. "Considering the conditions, it was a very nice pass."

Nice in the fact that the Matco Tools / Lucas Oil Suzuki is having a problem that every rider would like to fight at the biggest drag racing event of the season, working with too much power.

"I can't complain about horsepower, that's for sure. Instead we are trying to tame the beast down," said Treble.

The Matco Tools / Lucas Oil Suzuki will face Steve Johnson in round one of final eliminations Monday morning in Indianapolis. Johnson qualified this Suzuki No. 8, and matched Treble in ET in the final qualifying session.

"We were 5th quickest in the last session, Johnson was 4th by .005," said Treble. "With the performance so close between us, I would guess that first round will be decided by reaction time."

U.S. Nationals ends too early for Treble
 

Indianapolis, IN. – Post Race: 

The day ended much too early for Craig Treble and the Matco Tools / Lucas Oil Suzuki team, exiting in round one of Pro Stock Motorcycle at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, Indiana.

"We had a good tune-up in the bike throughout qualifying, so we left it alone for eliminations. It surprised us and went slow," said Treble. "Our 7.236 / 180.52 pass against Steve Johnson was our worst of the weekend, and obviously couldn't have come at a worse time."

The race against eventual runner-up Johnson looked on paper to be a toss-up, and one that Treble believed would be won or lost on the starting line.

"I figured that the reaction time would be the difference in the race, so I focused on that," said Treble. "I had the light I was looking for on the run, but it wasn't enough."

Treble's .027 reaction time outpaced Johnson's .052, but that advantage was gone by half track when Johnson clocked a 7.169 / 185.77 run, the third fastest time turned in by the victors that session.

"We had a good bike here in Indy. Harry Lartigue and I plan on testing before Reading and I hope we can find the sweet spot with this bike, then keep it there," said Treble.

Indy Photos 2005