Stoffer wins Reading, joins Six-Second Club
By: Jack Korpela

GEICO-backed NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle racer Karen Stoffer had to wait an extra two weeks to compete in the rain-postponed Toyo Tires Nationals from Reading, Pa.

Apparently the extra down time paid off for Stoffer as she went on to have perhaps the greatest weekend of her racing career. In qualifying Stoffer ran her much-sought-after first six-second pass at 6.970 to become the eighth and final member of the elite Mickey Thompson Six Second Club.

“It meant a lot to us to close the door on the Club and get that final spot,” Stoffer said. “We knew it was in the motor, all I had to do was ride it. Gary (Stoffer) put those Mac Tools to work on the Vance and Hines motor and the GEICO and Speed Dawg-backed bike produced a little magic.”

During the next day of qualifying Stoffer proved the legitimacy of her personal best run by cranking out another sub-seven elapsed-time at 6.973.

“We solidified that it was for real,” Stoffer said. “By running it twice back-to-back we proved it wasn’t a fluke. It meant a lot to me.”

Stoffer’s 6.97 qualified her fourth in what proved to be the quickest field in the history of the sport. In eliminations Stoffer went on to defeat Chip Ellis, Paul Gast, Angelle Sampey, and Geno Scali to garner her third career victory.

“The bike was running so well all I had to do was ride. It was great,” said Stoffer, who has a pair of final round appearances in Reading. “I’m really happy at what took place and I hope to ride this momentum into the end of the year. GEICO gives us great support to put a fast bike out there, and there is something about these Speed Dawg stickers on the back that seem to bring us good luck.”

Last year Stoffer’s season was brought to an abrupt end when she was hit on the head by the massive rear door of her transporter. This season she has battled back and climbed into the top five in the point series and, with only two races remaining, she has paved the way for a career-first top five finish.

Stoffer extended a special thanks to all of the 2006 sponsors. Geico Motorcycle Insurance 1-866-326-2036, Mac Tools, Bates Leathers, NGK, Airtech, Wrath Motorsports, Square One Graphics, and Vance and Hines Motorsports.