Treble goes 'Old School' in Vegas
 

Las Vegas, NV. – Pre Race:

Fans looking for the familiar “Iron Eagle” Pro Stock Motorcycle of eight-time NHRA event champion Craig Treble will have to search a little harder at this weekend’s ACDelco NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Treble will now be found riding the special edition “Las Vegas Centennial - 100th Anniversary” Matco Tools/Lucas Oil Suzuki, and hoping the fresh vinyl will fit perfectly with the decision to try an “Old School” approach to the race this weekend in Vegas.

“Harry Lartigue and I have done some testing since the last national event, and the plan is to take a set-up that is known to work with this bike and start from there,” said Treble.

Although testing with the Lartigue Racing Hayabusa was somewhat useful in trying to find a tune-up for the Matco Tools Suzuki, it did help finalize the decision to step back and go with a proven, yet older tune-up.

“This weekend we will have a 100 year old paint job, a two year old tune-up, and only two races left on the schedule. Hopefully we can come out of the trailer strong and make something happen in Vegas.”
 

Treble qualifies eighth
 

Las Vegas, NV. – Qualifying : 

Craig Treble saved his best for last in Vegas qualifying, riding the Matco Tools Suzuki into the No. 8 spot on his final attempt at the ACDelco NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Clinging to the No. 15 position after three rounds of Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying, The Matco Tools rider laid down a 7.261 / 185.43 pass in the fourth session to put himself in the top half of the show.

“We were down to our last shot, and I just hoped that Harry and I had made the right call on the tune-up,” said Treble. “The truth on that pass was that it really wasn’t as good as it looked. There is room for improvement on that run, and that’s what we will work on for Sunday morning eliminations.”

Treble will face No. 9 qualifier Antron Brown in round one, and believes again that this first round match will revolve around the reaction time.

“Antron and I usually try to hit the tree pretty hard, it should be a tight race,” said Treble. “When you have to bikes that qualify only one thousandths apart from each other, the starting line usually becomes the key to the race.”

Semifinal finish for Treble
 

Las Vegas, NV. – Post Race: 

Flying a special edition “Las Vegas Centennial - 100th Anniversary” paint job, a resurgent Craig Treble took his Matco Tools – Lucas Oil Suzuki into the semi-finals in Pro Stock Motorcycle at the ACDelco NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

“We had a great bike and I really thought we had a chance to put it in the winners circle today, “said Treble. “Things were working well on both ends of the track in the first two rounds, and we were on another serious pass against Angelle before the ignition system went away.”

Treble started the day with a win over red-lighting Antron Brown, running a very strong 7.261 / 187.34, which was good for lane choice against round two opponent Ryan Schnitz.

In round two Treble again was fast, laying down a stout 7.252 / 188.52 lap to stop No. 1 qualifier Schnitz and again earning lane choice in the next round.

“We had the quickest bike on the back-half in the first two sessions,” said Treble. “We have the power to run near the top, and if we can get the tire to stick on the starting line we could pick up even more.”

In the semifinal match-up against Sampey, The Matco Tools – Lucas Oil rider clocked his third straight .02 reaction time, and was well ahead of the Army rider when the ignition system went bad.

“I had a good light and was right on my shift points, but when the bike went into third gear I could feel it starting to nose over and it never recovered,” said Treble. “It’s frustrating and it’s another sign of how this year has gone so far.

We have on race left on the schedule, and if we can keep this bike running like it was this weekend maybe we can close out the season on a high note.”

Las Vegas Photos 2005