Stoffer Qualifies For Championship Countdown

(Reading – post race) After an exciting and successful season of racing, which included a pair of early season event victories, Karen Stoffer and her Geico-backed Pro Stock Motorcycle team have qualified for NHRA's first-ever championship countdown.

Stoffer maintained her No. 4 ranking in the PowerAde point series by defeating quickly encroaching No. 5 Chip Ellis at the tour's last stop in Reading, Pa.

"It was a huge first round win for us," Stoffer said. "It solidified us as being fourth heading into the countdown. Chip was right there with us and the win really boosted our ego. I'm very excited."

Stoffer's quest for a championship will now move to the illustrious US Nationals in Indianapolis, Ind. on Labor Day weekend. Here she will also compete in her first-ever Ringer Gloves Battle. Eight riders earn a berth into the elite race by accumulating points in qualifying throughout the season.

"There is a lot to look forward too," Stoffer said. "It means a great deal to me to have qualified for the Ringer Gloves race."

Before the US Nationals Stoffer plans to do some testing in Indianapolis to help establish the team's tune-up for the event.

"We were trying a couple of new things in Reading but quite honestly I have tried so many different things on the launch that I just need to take some time and get back to my consistency," Stoffer said. "It's been pretty rough the last few races. We have had some different issues but we believe a good productive test session can cure them."

Stoffer knows the team will have to be on top of its game to compete with the NHRA's seven finest two-wheeled racers.

"If you look at the way it's stacked it's hard to say what will happen," Stoffer said. "There are so many tough racers in the countdown. We have a very difficult road against all of these V-Twins. We are just hoping the conditions will be favorable to our motorcycle. It's going to take perfect riding and the perfect tune-up. There is no room for errors now. We are up for the challenge."

Stoffer believes the team has all the right tools in place to contend for the elusive and coveted NHRA season championship.

"We have great power and we have great sponsors," Stoffer said. "We have everything we need."

Stoffer went on to extend special thanks to all of the 2007 sponsors and supporters.
Geico Motorcycle Insurance 1-866-326-2036, Speed Dawg, Mac Tools, Bates Leathers, NGK, Airtech, Wrath Motorsports, Square One Graphics, Vance and Hines Motorsports, Suzuki Extended Protection, and Genuine Scooters