Indy Aside, Stoffer Pumped As Playoff Season Approaches - 9/5/2011
Rob Geiger - Geiger Media

INDIANAPOLIS (Sept. 5) – Karen Stoffer and the GEICO Suzuki team got their speed back – and just in time for the Countdown to the Championship.

Stoffer qualified third and posted the lowest elapsed time in Monday's first round of Pro Stock Motorcycle eliminations in the 57th Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway.

But in a strange first round, the top three qualifiers were all eliminated, including Stoffer.

"I'm disappointed, but I'm not upset, if that makes sense," Stoffer said. "It's never a good thing when you lose in the first round, and when it happens at the biggest drag race of the year it hurts a little more than normal.

"It's crazy when the top three bikes in the class all lose first round, but that's how drag racing is. There are no freebies."

Stoffer and the GEICO team have shaken off engine problems that plagued them the last few races. Stoffer made a pass of 6.914 seconds at 192.66 mph in Round 1 that was low E.T. and top speed.

"The main thing is we have a motor for the Countdown," Stoffer said. "We're going to be just fine. We will contend for the title with this kind of horsepower. To come out and run low E.T. of the round just now gives us all the hope we need."

Stoffer will start the 10-driver, six-race playoff from third in the standings, 40 points out of the lead. The Countdown starts Sept. 16-18 at zMax Dragway with the O'Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Nationals.

"It's been a long weekend and it's time to go home and defuse," Stoffer said. "Gary (Stoffer, husband/crew chief) is off to England tomorrow to help a racer run the FIA Finals next weekend at Santa Pod so I'll have some time for myself. I'm looking forward to that."

Stoffer went on to extend special thanks to all of the 2011 sponsors and supporters.
Geico Powersports 1-800-442-9253, Suzuki Extended Protetion, Bates Leathers, KYMCOUSA, NGK, Airtech, Red Line Oil, American Racing Products, Mechanix Wear Gloves, and TKO Graphics.