Stoffer Aiming for Houston Three-Peat By Jack Korpela GEICO-backed NHRA POWERade Pro Stock Motorcycle racer Karen Stoffer loves to compete at Houston Raceway Park and she couldn’t be more excited for this weekend’s NHRA O’Reilly Spring Nationals at the aforementioned venue. Stoffer enters the race as a two-time defending event champion. “It’s almost like going home,” Stoffer said. “Everything really seems to click for us there. It’s a great track and the racing is usually very competitive.” Stoffer says having the chance at a three-peat isn’t going to add any extra pressure to perform. “We are just going to approach it like any other race,” Stoffer said. “I don’t feel any extra pressure. I just want to do the best possible job that I can and win a race for the team.” Stoffer was pleased with the performance of her motorcycle two weeks ago at the Gatornationals and believes the team learned some valuable tuning lessons. “The bike felt great. I feel like we have everything we need this year to be one of the top teams,” Stoffer said. “The new rules have really seemed to even the playing field. Our goal for this weekend is to qualify on the top half of the ladder. We’ve done well before as a wild card but getting that good qualifying position really sets the tone for the race.” Watch for Stoffer during this weekend’s extensive ESPN 2 Race Coverage – ESPN2 Schedule April 1 8:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. Qualifying April 2 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Eliminations April 5 2:30 a.m.-4:30 a.m. Repeat Eliminations (All times Eastern) Stoffer extended a special thanks to all of the 2005 sponsors. Geico Motorcycle Insurance 1-866-326-2036, Mac Tools, Bates Leathers, NGK, Airtech, Wrath Motorsports, Square One Graphics, and Vance and Hines Motorsports.