Following what proved to be a trying weekend at the NHRA Lucas Oil Nationals from Brainerd, Minn., Aug. 7-10, Karen Stoffer and her Geico Pro Stock Motorcycle team are poised to break back into the top-ten in the Powerade Point Standings at Toyo tires NHRA Nationals from Reading, Pa., Aug. 14-17.

Currently, Stoffer is ranked No. 11 in the series, just 28 points behind No. 10 Hector Arana. After the next two races, Reading and Indy, riders ranked in the top-ten will advance to NHRA's playoff-like Championship Countdown.

"We are really reaching for the top ten. We know we can get there," Stoffer said. "Our sprits are up and we are looking forward to putting in a strong showing at the upcoming two races."

Stoffer proved she's among the most elite riders in the class when she captured her first pole position at the NHRA Fram Autolite Nationals from Sonoma, Calif., two races ago. However the racetracks in Somona and Brainerd have very different physical and atmospheric characteristics. Stoffer says the Sonoma tune-up wasn't even close to what was needed for Brainerd.

"We have challenges going from racetrack to racetrack. We struggled in qualifying. It was a complete 180 from what we were able to find out in Sonoma," Stoffer said. It was a mystery for us."

In Brainerd Stoffer qualified in the No. 10 spot and suffered a first round loss to Chip Ellis.

"The round wins have been very elusive," Stoffer said. "We are hoping to get back on track at the next race."

Based on history, Reading is an ideal venue for Stoffer to reverse her luck. She made it to her career-first final round there in 2002 and won the race in 2006. She also recorded her first official six-second elapsed-time there.

"Reading is always a special place for us," Stoffer said. "We will keep striving to go rounds on Sunday, that's the name of the game. We are a strong team and we will get through this."

Stoffer went on to extend special thanks to all of the 2008 sponsors and supporters.
Geico Motorcycle Insurance 1-800-44-Cycle, Speed Dawg, Mac Tools, Bates Leathers, NGK, Airtech, Wrath Motorsports, Square One Graphics, Suzuki Extended Protection, and Kymco.