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Stoffer Again Ends Season in
Top Ten
Karen Stoffer, rider of
the Geico-backed Pro Stock Motorcycle, turned in a solid performance at the
final NHRA race of the season in Pomona, Calif, to again finish in the top
ten in the hotly contested NHRA PowerAde point series. 2007 marks the
fourth consecutive season Stoffer has finished tenth or better.
"It's always a great feeling to be in the top ten," Stoffer said. "That is
one of our goals at the beginning of the season. The competition seems to
get tougher and tougher each year, so to stay in the top ten is very
fulfilling."
Stoffer began the season by winning two of the first three events, Gainesville
and Atlanta, to capture the early-season point lead.
"Everything we've learned over the last three
years really came through for us early in the year. We understand a lot of
the tracks now," Stoffer said. "We were able to
capitalize on some things. We learned a lot this year as well and we are hoping
it carries through to next season."
Stoffer made the first cut for NHRA's new Championship Countdown when she was
ranked in the No. 4 spot following the race in Reading, Pa. in mid-August.
After the Reading race only competitors ranked in the top eight would
advance to the next round of the countdown.
"It meant a lot for us to make it into the first countdown," Stoffer said.
"It was very exciting for our entire team."
Stoffer earned another career milestone at the US Nationals from Indianapolis,
Ind, over Labor Day weekend, where she competed in her very first Ringer's Pro
Bike Battle. Stoffer earned a berth into the elite eight-bike race based on
points she earned in qualifying throughout the year.
Stoffer just missed the final cut for the Championship Countdown in Dallas in
late September. However the last two races of the season would still prove
to be quite prosperous for her. In Las Vegas Stoffer announced a
three-year extension with her longtime marketing partner Geico and in Pomona
Stoffer scored enough points to finish in the No. 8 spot.
"We wanted to go out on a high note this year," Stoffer said. "We learned
a lot about the new championship structure and we are very excited to take
another shot at the title next season."
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Stoffer Inks Three-Year
Extension With Geico
During the NHRA Las
Vegas Nationals, October 25-28, Pro Stock Motorcycle front runner Karen Stoffer
proudly announced that her team will continue to waive the Geico Insurance
banner for years to come. Stoffer's team and Geico have extended their
current marketing agreement for another three years.
"It's awesome. Geico is more than just a sponsor they are like family to
us," Stoffer said. "It's really neat that Geico will be at all 23 events
next year and will play a major role in the NHRA. The Motorcycle class is an
excellent platform for a company like Geico. It has a lot of value. This is a
great opportunity for everyone."
Throughout the first
two days of the event Stoffer qualified in the No. 9 spot with a run of 7.11 at
189 mph.
"We were the second fastest Suzuki of the weekend," Stoffer said. "My team
did a great job putting us in a position to win. We had a great bike."
In round No. 1 of eliminations Stoffer suffered a time-out foul start, thus
handing the win to No. 8 qualifier Angelle Sampey.
"I was thinking too much up there and just took a little too long staging,"
Stoffer said. "I had red-lit almost every round in qualifying and I was
cautiously trying to stage in the perfect spot. All tracks have different
rollout and I thought Vegas was a little tight. I had to do something to fix it
for first round. It was a bummer for me that it took long."
Stoffer now aims to finish the season on a high note at the upcoming Automobile
Club of Southern California NHRA Finals November 1-4, in Pomona, Calif.
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Stoffer Ready to Play Spoiler
in Las Vegas
Rider of the Geico Pro
Stock Suzuki, Karen Stoffer wants another of the coveted NHRA winner's trophies,
a Wally, before the 2007 season comes to an end. Stoffer has already
earned a pair of Wally's earlier this year and her quest for another will begin
this weekend at the tour's next to last race, The AC Delco Las Vegas Nationals,
October 25-28.
"We got off to a great start this season and then leveled off a little bit at
the midpoint. We want to end on a high note and bring home at least one of
the two remaining Wally's," Stoffer said.
Entering the event Stoffer is ranked seventh in the hotly-contested PowerAde
point series. Although only the top four competitors will have an
opportunity to win the championship based on the NHRA's new playoff system,
Stoffer can still ascend to a career-best fifth place finish.
"We can't win a championship but we can climb up the ranks," said Stoffer, who
finished sixth in 2006. "Every year we aim to get better and finishing
fifth would be a great achievement for us. We want to capitalize on all
the success we have had this year and begin next season with the No. 5 on our
bike."
Stoffer says the team won't hesitate to try some new tuning combinations to
continue improving for the 2008 season. However that doesn't mean the
team's main focus won't be defeating the rider in the other lane, even if that
rider is still in championship contention.
"Being in the spoiler position gives us a little more flexibility to try some
new things but our main goal is to win the race," Stoffer said. "We're
going to have a lot of fun, especially if we get to race one of the competitors
in the top four and we get to play spoiler."
Stoffer has had her share of problems in Las Vegas in the past. None more
serious than in 2005 when she was struck by the back door of her transporter and
suffered a broken pelvis along with several other near-career ending injuries.
Nonetheless she is happy to be back and excited for the weekend.
"Las Vegas is close to home for me so this is always a special race," Stoffer,
the Nevada resident said. "We are excited that lots of Geico people will
be here cheering us on this weekend."
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Stoffer Just Misses Countdown
After Solid Dallas Outing
Heading into the
O'Reilly Fall Nationals in Dallas, TX, Sept. 20-23, Geico-backed Pro Stock
Motorcycle racer Karen Stoffer knew she needed one of her best performances of
the season to make it into the next phase of NHRA's championship chase, The
Countdown to One.
In order to qualify for the next stage Stoffer would have to jump from No. 7 to
at least No.4 in the hotly contested point series. She entered the Dallas race
63 points, or approximately three round wins, behind No. 4 Chip Ellis.
Stoffer responded to the pressure with one of her finest qualifying efforts of
the year. She seized the No. 5 spot with a rapid run of 7.03 at 190 mph.
Stoffer's speed was the second fastest of qualifying.
In Sunday's opening round of eliminations Stoffer defeated Reading-winner Matt
Guidera with a 7.05 at 189 mph to Guidera's 7.09 at 187 mph. Even more
impressive was Stoffer's razor sharp .027 reaction time.
In round No. 2 the Geico Team knew it had a tough task at hand, facing No. 4
qualifier Peggy Llewellyn, who gained lane choice with a 7.02 victory in the
opening round. Again Stoffer was near-perfect off the starting line with a
reaction time of .033 to Llewellyn's .047. Stoffer held the lead for about the
first 100 feet before Llewellyn pulled even, and eventually slightly ahead of
Stoffer at the finish line with a run of 7.05 to Stoffer's 7.06.
Llewellyn crossed the finish line just .0025 ahead of Stoffer. The margin
of victory was estimated to have been less than eight inches.
Llewellyn went onto win the event, the first of her career, and clinched the
final spot in the countdown by a narrow margin.
Llewellyn's win marked the end of Stoffer's bid for a championship in her
triumphant 2007 season. Stoffer began the season by winning two of the
first three races.
Although Stoffer is mathematically eliminated from her ultimate goal of winning
an NHRA PowerAde Championship in 2007, she still has two races left to attempt
to earn her highest-ever finish in the point series. Stoffer improved four
spots in the point series from 2005 to 2006, finishing a career-high sixth.
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Memphis Blues Has Stoffer
Focused on Success at Dallas
After a challenging
outing at the O'Reilly Mid-South Nationals in Memphis, Tenn, Karen Stoffer and
her Geico-backed Pro Stock Motorcycle Team are poised and ready for a breakout
performance at this weekend's O'Reilly Fall Nationals from Dallas, TX.
Following the Dallas event only competitors rankled in the top-four in the NHRA
point series will advance to the next stage of the championship countdown. After
the Memphis race Stoffer is ranked No. 7, just 63 points behind No. 4 Chip
Ellis.
In Memphis Stoffer qualified in the No. 14 spot, despite recording a 7.04 at 190
mph in what proved to be one of the most competitive fields of the year.
In the opening round of eliminations Stoffer drilled a near-perfect .012
reaction time but her 7.04 fell just short of Peggy Llewellyn's 7.00. The margin
of victory was estimated to be less than five feet at the finish line of the
1,320-foot-long drag strip.
"It was a tough loss," Stoffer said. "We are a little down but we are not
out. We are going to head to Dallas and do our best to stay in the
Countdown. I have a great team and they know what it's going to take to
get it done. My goal is to give them the best rider possible."
Stoffer is hoping to recreate some of her early season magic that placed her in
the winner's circle at two of the first three races.
"It's not over until it's over," Stoffer said.
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Stoffer Misses Indy Glory by
Fraction of a Second
In the competitive
world of drag racing a mere fraction of a second sometimes determines who advances
to the next round and who will load their machinery back on the trailer.
Karen Stoffer, rider of the Geico Suzuki, suffered a pair of losses at the NHRA
US Nationals by only four-thousandths of a second.
On Saturday, in her career-first appearance in the Ringer Gloves Pro Bike Battle
Stoffer fouled out by - .003 to point leader Matt Smith. On Monday Stoffer
lost in the opening round of the Mac Tools US Nationals with an even closer to
green -.001 red-light, missing a perfect start by just one-thousandth of a
second.
"It was pretty harsh. I
was consistent but I was consistently on the red side," Stoffer said.
"Over the next few weeks I need to focus on keeping the green light on. I don't
want to see a perfect light either. That's too close. I'm perfectly happy
with .020s and .030s."
Throughout the weekend the team encountered some mechanical woes as well.
"We went through three different motors," Stoffer said. "We went in and thought
we were ready to go. It was just one of those difficult weekends that happen in
racing."
Stoffer fell two spots in the PowerAde point standings, to sixth, but says she
is determined to get back in the top-four at the last two races before the next
cutoff point, Memphis and Dallas. Following Dallas the "Countdown to Two"
will being and only competitors ranked in the top four in the point series will
advance.
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Stoffer Reaching for Biggest
Win of her Career
Karen Stoffer, rider of
the Geico NHRA Suzuki has had some pretty big wins throughout her career.
However a win at this weekend's illustrious US Nationals from Indianapolis, Ind
would be by far her most monumental victory yet.
For NHRA racers the "Big Go" in Indianapolis is as important as the Daytona 500
is to NASCAR competitors. It is the single most coveted event of the
season. Winning this event guarantees a racer entry into an exclusive club
of past champions and legends.
"I feel honored just to be here," said Stoffer, who will make her sixth US
Nationals appearance. "This race means so much. We put a lot of
effort into preparing for this."
For Stoffer this year's US Nationals may very well be the most extraordinary
event of her career. Throughout the weekend Stoffer will compete in her
first ever Ringer's Gloves Pro Bike Battle, a race in which she earned a spot in
by continually qualifying in the top of the pack over the last year.
A total of $61,000 is up for grabs as the
winner of the Ringer's Gloves Pro Bike Battle will earn $25,000 and any rider
who can win the
Battle and the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals will
earn a $10,000 double-up bonus from NHRA. The
Battle runner-up will earn $10,000 and the two
semifinalists will earn $6,000 each. The four first-round finishers will earn
$3,500 apiece
This year's US Nationals also marks the beginning of NHRA's new playoff-style
championship countdown. Stoffer solidified her spot in the final eight by
garnering two event victories earlier this year and consistently winning rounds
throughout the season.
"I'm going through
a lot of emotions right now. Winning this race would be a story book way for us
to begin the countdown," Stoffer said. "We are debuting a fresh new look
this weekend on both the bike and the trailer to bring us some luck."
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Stoffer Qualifies For
Championship Countdown
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 a
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."
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Stoffer poised to defend event title and qualify for elite eight
This is the one.
Ever since the NHRA announced its new championship point structure last season,
competitors have been vying to stay inside the top eight in the standings
heading into this weekend’s Toyo Tire NHRA Nationals from Reading, Pa.
Following the event only the racers ranked in the top eight will qualify for the
next stage of the point series. Heading into the race Karen Stoffer, rider of
the Geico-Suzuki, is ranked fourth and is on pace to turn in the best season of
her career. She garnered a pair of event victories early in the year to solidify
her spot in the elite eight.
”Our goal is to finish this season the same way we started,” Stoffer said. “We
have had a tough couple of races here in the summer but we are set to get back
on track. We had a part malfunction in Brainerd and we are ready to put that
behind us.”
Based on her history there, Reading will be a great track for Stoffer to embark
on another streak of success. Last year she won the event and became the final
member of the Mickey Thompson Six Second Club. She also finished runner-up at
Reading in 2002.
”This track has been great for us,” Stoffer said. “We got great power and great
sponsors and we are ready to leave our mark.”
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stoffer Aiming to Solidify Playoff
Spot
NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle championship contender Karen
Stoffer and her Geico-backed team are hoping to earn more valuable PowerAde
points at this weekend's Lucas Oil Nationals from Brainerd, Minn.
Stoffer is currently ranked fourth in the NHRA championship standings with just
two more events to go before only the top eight advance to the next level of
countdown.
"We got off to a great start this season," said Stoffer, who won two of the
first three NHRA events. "Now we really need to focus and finish strong.
We want to to put in a great performance this weekend to guarantee us our spot
in the countdown."
Stoffer is well aware of what the
team must do to succeed in Minnesota.
"We have to figure out the best
set-up for the motorcycle as quickly as possible.
It all comes down to me making the absolute cleanest passes I can make to help
Gary make the tuning calls," Stoffer said. "The quicker we can find
out what set-up the track needs the better."
Stoffer will be in search of her sixth career event victory.
"We know we've got the power to go out and win, we just need to put it all
together in one package," Stoffer said.
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Stoffer Nearing Championship
Countdown
At the Fram Autolite NHRA Nationals in Sonoma, Calif. Pro
Stock Motorcycle racer Karen Stoffer and her Geico team accomplished two of
their goals.
First she added Infineon Raceway to her list of tracks that she has run a
six-second pass at. Stoffer's stellar 6.97 in qualifying landed her in the
No. 6 spot.
"After racing here for so many years it was nice to finally get the six," Stoffer
said. "I give my crew chief Gary (Stoffer) a lot of credit. So far
we have been able to run in the sixes at five very distinct tracks in different
conditions. He gave me a great bike again in Sonoma."
Unfortunately for Stoffer she was upset in round No. 1 of eliminations by Steve
Johnson after she left too soon and redlit with a -.085.
The second goal Stoffer accomplished was continuing to maintain her top-five standing in the PowerAde point
series. With only two races to go before the championship countdown, where
only the competitors in the top eight of the point series advance, Stoffer is
inline to qualify for the playoffs with a solid performance at the tour's next
race.
"We got off to a really great start this season and it has paid off," Stoffer
said. "Now we need to get back on a hot streak and finish the season
strong. The new championship system makes things very exciting."
Next up for Stoffer will be the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals from Brainerd, Minn.
August 9-12.
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Stoffer's Championship Chase Moves
to West Coast
The NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle category has seen furious
competitiveness in 2007. After eight rounds of racing Geico-backed Karen Stoffer
continues to maintain her top-five standing in the PowerAde point series.
Currently she is ranked fourth and represents one of two Suzuki riders in the top
five.
This weekend Stoffer returns to her home near the West Coast and the track she
won the 1993 Division 7 championship at as a bracket racer, Infineon
Raceway in Sonoma, Calif.
"I love this track. Everybody here is awesome and there are a lot of true
motorcycle fans out here. We've done well here," Stoffer said. "We have a lot of
data on what combinations work well. One of our goals this weekend is to
run a six-second pass here. We've done it at four other tracks but we have
never done it here."
Infineon Raceway, renown as one of the quickest tracks on the NHRA tour will be a far
cry from the notoriously slow high altitude of Denver, which Stoffer ran in two
weeks ago.
"We're going from the slowest track to the fastest track," Stoffer said.
"We're going from 9,200 feet to 800 feet of corrected altitude. It's two
totally different tuning combinations and it's hard on the tuner but I have a
lot of faith in Gary (Stoffer, crew chief)."
Also the Thrill Seekers TV crew will be following Stoffer throughout the weekend
as part of a special episode focusing on the Geico Pro Stock Motorcycle team.
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Stoffer Upsets Defending Champion
Hines in Denver
Historically Bandimere Mile High Speedway in Denver, Co, has
been a difficult track for Geico-backed NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle standout Karen
Stoffer. The oxygen-starved, high altitude makes it difficult for Stoffer
to suck the much-needed air into her Suzuki four-cylinder engine. In
recent years the track has favored the beefier V-Twins, because of their larger
motors, which give them the ability to push more air through.
Stoffer knew heading into the event, the Mopar Mile High Nationals, qualifying
would be tough - and she was right. The team snagged the No. 15 spot in
the 16-bike field.
"Denver has always been very challenging for us," Stoffer said. "We have
to draw from all of our resources and data to make the best possible tuning
calls we can."
On Sunday the Geico team pushed forward and scored a huge first round upset over
No. 2 qualifier and three-time defending class champion Andrew Hines and his
Harley Davidson V-Rod.
Stoffer was eventually defeated by former class champion Angelle Sampey in round
No. 2. Stoffer's big first round win leaves her ranked No. 4 in the
Powerade point series, solidly in contention for the NHRA "Countdown to Eight"
championship series.
"We know we have the power to stay in the hunt," Stoffer said. "It's just
a matter of being consistent over the rest of the season. Everyone on the
team is working very hard and I'm excited about the next few races."
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Successful Test Session Puts
Stoffer Back on Track for Denver
NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle racer Karen Stoffer and her Geico
team are eagerly anticipating the tour's next event after a successful test
session following the NHRA Summit Racing Equipment Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio.
"We made some great runs and we are confident that
we fixed our problem," said Stoffer, who is ranked fourth in the PowerAde point
series. "We are making a stop in Indianapolis and getting our motors
freshened up at Vance and Hines before the next race, so we are very excited for
Denver."
Stoffer discovered the team's mechanical gremlin in Norwalk, where she qualified
in the No. 7 spot but suffered a rare first round loss to Harley V-Rod rider Ed
Krawiec, who ran 7.03 to Stoffer's 7.05
"We got behind the eight ball and struggled on Sunday," Stoffer said. "Part of our goal
this season is to stay
consistent and to do that we had to stay after and fix the problems. Throughout
the weekend we had a clutch problem and a carburetor malfunction. There was
definitely more left in it."
Looking back Stoffer says her first impression of Summit Raceway Park lived up
to all the hype she has heard about how picturesque the complex is.
"The track was beautiful and the facility is
gorgeous," Stoffer said. "I can't believe they sold a pound of ice cream
for only a dollar. Unfortunately I only got a bite. My husband and
crew ate it all."
Stoffer is currently ranked No. 4 in the points and is determined to qualify for
NHRA's new playoff-style championship countdown.
"I don't care about points right now as long as we are in the top eight
at the cutoff," Stoffer said. "We
just need to perform. I just want to be consistent."
Stoffer now focuses all of her attention on the NHRA Mopar Mile High Nationals
from the oxygen-starved Denver, Colo.
Denver is a tough track for us. We normally
don't do well there," Stoffer said. "The high altitude favors the V-twins
but we feel like we can turn our luck around this year."
7/11/2007
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Stoffer Wants Ice Cream and a Win
in Norwalk
GEICO-backed NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle racer Karen Stoffer,
ranked No. 3 in the PowerAde point series is anticipating her first trip to
Summit Raceway Park in Norwalk, Ohio for her second consecutive weekend of
racing at the NHRA Summit Racing Equipment Nationals.
Stoffer says one thing in particular stands out in her mind when it comes to the
racetrack in Norwalk.
"Ice cream," Stoffer said of the track's famous pound of ice
cream for a buck. "That is all I have ever heard of. I have never been to
the track and I can't wait to go. I know the fans there are really
anticipating the arrival of the NHRA. Ohio in general is a great state for drag
racing. It's going to be fun."
Stoffer, who qualified in the No. 4 spot and advanced to the second round at the
tour's last event in Englishtown, NJ, says there is, however, one thing she may
not like about Summit Raceway Park.
"We have no idea what the air conditions are going to be like and we have no
data at all from this track," Stoffer said. "Hopefully we can get up to speed
with the tune-up we need very fast."
Stoffer began the season by winning two of the first three events and hopes to
add another title to her lengthy resume this weekend.
"Consistency is the name of the game," Stoffer said. "We are focused on keeping
it clean and green and making some very consistent runs."
Ice cream and a win - the two things Stoffer desires this weekend. However
the physically fit Stoffer admits that she won't be indulging in the entire
one-pound serving size of ice cream.
"Not a pound, maybe a bite though," Stoffer said. "I will leave the pound
for the boys."
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Stoffer Maintains No. 3 Spot
Following Englishtown
GEICO-sponsored NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle racer Karen Stoffer refused to
relinquish her third place standing in the ultra-competitive PowerAde point
series following what proved to be a challenging round of racing in Englishtown,
NJ.
Stoffer qualified in the No. 4 spot with an impressive run of 6.95 at 192 mph.
The team damaged an exhaust valve on Friday evening and crew chief Gary Stoffer
opted to change motors and was pleased with the results.
"We've got two very similar motors and they are both strong," Gary Stoffer said.
"We ran a 6.95 with one and a 6.96 with the other."
Stoffer proved to be one of the most consistently quick riders all throughout
qualifying.
"We came here with the goal of running sixes and that's what we did," Stoffer
said. "I was very happy with the team's effort."
In the opening round of eliminations Stoffer defeated the Harley Davidson V-Rod
of Eddie Kraweic with a 7.00 to Kraweic's 7.29.
"Our goal was just to be as consistent as possible," Stoffer said.
In one of the closest races of the day in round No. 2 Stoffer was upset by
Antron Brown with a 7.08 to Brown's 7.07. Stoffer had a razor sharp .010
reaction time on the run.
"It was a fun race," Stoffer said. "You always want to get the win light
but when it's that close it's fun either way. If I can't get the win I want to
have close, tight races like that every time."
"We were just a little off on the tune-up," Gary Stoffer said. "It was a
tough loss but we learned a lot for the next race."
Heading into the next race in Norwalk, Ohio Stoffer remains in the No. 3 spot in
the points, just 93 behind leader Matt Smith.
"We know we've got the power to go out and win, we just need to put it all
together in one package," Stoffer said. "I'm looking forward to
Norwalk."
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Stoffer Aims to Advance in
Englishtown
GEICO-backed NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle racer is aiming to
build upon the best start of her career at this weekend's Pro Care RX
Supernationals from Englishtown, NJ.
After five rounds of racing Stoffer has two event victories to her credit and is
ranked third in the PowerAde Championship Series. At the tour's last event
in Chicago Stoffer was plagued with mechanical problems in the second round of
eliminations and
lost to fellow female competitor Peggy Llewellyn.
"We stayed after in Chicago and we know we fixed our problem," Stoffer said.
"We had a really good test session and we are really optimistic heading into New
Jersey." Stoffer's
recent success at Raceway Park gives her yet another reason to feel good about
her chances this weekend.
"We've done really well at Englishtown over the
last few years," said Stoffer, who finished runner-up at the Supernationals the
last two seasons. "This year we are hoping to go one round further."
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Solid Outing in Chicago Leaves
Stoffer No. 3 in Points
 After
winning two of the first three NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle races earlier this
season, GEICO-backed Karen Stoffer maintained her top-three status in the
Powerade point series with a solid performance at the Route 66 Nationals
from Chicago, Ill, June 7-10.
After three weeks of inactivity for the class, Stoffer came off the trailer in
Chicago with an impressive run of 7.03 to land the No. 6 spot.
"We were very excited to get back to racing," Stoffer said. "After three long
weeks away we felt like we had an entire winter off. It gave us a chance
to get some much needed rest and make some progress on the bike. Gary
(Stoffer) spent a lot of time at the shop and came up with some performance
gains."
That progress was clearly evident in session No. 2 of qualifying, as Stoffer
recorded a stellar run of 6.951 to snag the No. 2 spot. The run would hold
up for the third quickest time of qualifying placing Stoffer third behind
three-time defending champion Andrew Hines, and point leader Matt Smith.
"The No. 1 qualifying spot always seems to elude us," Stoffer said.
"Nonetheless I was really proud of the team for getting the bike to perform so
brilliantly. It's always our goal to qualify in the top half of the field
and I felt very confident with the 6.95 going into Sunday."
On race day Stoffer cut an impressive .037 light and ran a 6.99 to defeat the
Buell of Tom Bradford, who cut a .069 and ran a 7.06
"Our goal was to keep it clean and green all weekend and just take one round at
a time," Stoffer said. "Being consistent is what got us off to such a
strong start this year."
In round No. 2 Stoffer encountered mechanical problems and lost to fellow female
competitor Peggy Llewellyn, who ran 7.10 to Stoffer's 7.26.
Stoffer leaves Chicago ranked No. 3 in the PowerAde Point Series, just 94 behind
leader Matt Smith and 14 behind No. 2 Angelle Sampey.
Stoffer was pleased to debut GEICO's new interactive booth on Nitro Alley in
Chicago. This exciting kiosk allows fans to get an insurance quote right on the
midway.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Stoffer Leads PSM Class Entering
St. Louis
Karen Stoffer, rider of the GEICO-backed NHRA Suzuki,
is poised to to defend her second Powerade Point lead of the season at this
weekend's O'Reilly NHRA Midwest Nationals from St. Louis, Mo, May 4-6.
"It's great to be No. 1, but I'm trying to not get caught up in the hype,"
Stoffer said. "I just want to focus on making the best possible runs and going
rounds. We want to be at the top at the end of the season."
Stoffer is off to the best start of her career. In early March she
won the season-opening Gatornationals from Gainesville, Fla, to earn her first
ever point lead. She relinquished the lead to three-time series champ Angelle
Sampey at the subsequent race in Houston, TX, but regained the top spot after
winning the Southern Nationals from Atlanta, Ga.
Stoffer's next challenge is in St. Louis, figuring out Gateway
International Raceway's tricky launch pad. Stoffer has had difficulty with
the track in the past. Last season she qualified 16th and went out first round.
"There's no question St. Louis has been a tough place for us to race," Stoffer
said. "The team has been working very hard on the bike and experimenting with
several different combinations, so we are eager to turn our luck around."
5/03/2007
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Stoffer Reclaims Point Lead with
Atlanta Victory
The early season hot streak continues for Team Geico as
Karen Stoffer garnered her second win of the year and took control of the point
series with an outstandingly consistent outing at Atlanta Dragway.
"Two
out of three aint bad."
In fact, winning two out of three events in the ultra-competitive NHRA
drag racing series is downright remarkable.
Karen Stoffer, rider of the Geico Pro Stock Motorcycle, produced her
second win of the year at stop No. 3 on the NHRA PSM tour, The Summit Southern
Nationals from Atlanta, Ga, April 27-29. Stoffer, who also won the
season-opening Gatornationals in March, reclaimed the No. 1 spot in the PowerAde
championship standings with a 32-point lead over second-place Matt Smith.
"It's a perfect season for us to get off to a hot
start with this new points system," Stoffer said of NHRA's recent playoff-style
championship structure. "It means a lot to us to be able to maintain this
consistency. This is what we have been striving for. I'm very proud of
what we've been able to show the first three races."
Stoffer qualified fourth with a 7.01 at 190 mph. On race-day the team
preserved through challenging track conditions and recorded consistent winning
elapsed-times of 7.05. 7.07, 7.06
and 7.06 to defeat Steve Johnson, defending champion Andrew Hines, 2003 champion
Geno Scali, and Matt Smith. The event victory was the fifth of Stoffer's career.
"Everything we've learned over the last three
years is really coming through for us. We understand a lot of the tracks
now," Stoffer said. "It's a tough field out here. It's very challenging
and that's what makes our wins even more special. We've been able to
capitalize on some things."
 Stoffer was
without a foul start on the weekend and attributes much of her success to the
technical set-up on the motorcycle.
"Gary (Stoffer) has been working very hard on the clutch. His tune-up
really helps me stay green and not red-light. He gave me a great bike." Stoffer
said of her husband/crew chief.
Following Stoffer's win in Gainesville earlier this season, NHRA
commentator Alan Reinhart said the Geico team won their one race for the year.
Stoffer says proving him wrong felt great.
"Out of everything that happened in Gainesville that was one of the most
memorable moments for me. It got under our skin but when I came back and told
the team, it helped to motivate them," Stoffer said. "I hope (Reinhart)
will make another comment like that to push us even harder."
 Stoffer got a
surprise on Sunday when her fellow Geico teammate Mike Wallace and his
NASCAR Busch team made a stop at Atlanta Dragway after competing in Talladega,
Ala, on Saturday evening.
"They loved it," Stoffer said. "They were very excited about drag racing and had
a wonderful time and enjoyed watching us win. We are hoping to get out to one of
their races real soon."
Stoffer also had new sponsor Genuine Scooters on hand and unveiled her
popular new clothing line from Speed Dawg apparel.
"We had a lot of friends with us this weekend," Stoffer said. "I'm not sure what
kind of mojo we have found here, but I hope we can duplicate it."
4/30/2007
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Stoffer Eyeing Atlanta Trophy
Karen Stoffer is eager to build upon the best start of her
career. Heading into Houston she is ranked second in the point series.
 True
competitors love redemption.
Geico-backed Pro Stock Motorcycle racer Karen Stoffer
has been anxiously waiting for stop No. 3 on the NHRA tour, ever since a rare
red-light caused her a first round loss at the last race in Houston.
"It was a tough race for us," Stoffer said. "I've been working really hard
to make sure it doesn't happen again and the team has been working very hard on
the motorcycle. All of us can't wait to get back and take another shot."
Stoffer, ranked No. 2 in the POWERade Points, is confident the team can
reproduce the stunning performance that landed it in the winners circle at the
season-opening race in Gainesville, Fla.
"Alan Reinhart (NHRA announcer) said that we have already won our one race for
the year," Stoffer said. "We are poised and ready to prove him wrong.
Hopefully several times over."
Atlanta Dragway, site of this weekend's Summit Southern Nationals, wasn't
always one of Stoffer's favorite tracks. However after an impressive
semifinal performance last season Stoffer believes the team may have a handle on
the Georgia tune-up.
"We've had some hard luck here over the years, but we've also done a lot of
testing here as well," Stoffer said. "Last year was a major confidence
boost and proved to us that we can succeed in Atlanta."
Stoffer is pleased to announce her highly anticipated Speed Dawg Apparel
line of clothing will be available in Atlanta.
"A lot of people have been asking me about the new gear from Speed Dawg.
I'm very excited that they will be able to buy it at this race," Stoffer said.
"Also we are pleased to have Genuine Scooters here with us this weekend."
Pro Stock Motorcycle Points Heading Into Atlanta
4/26/2007
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Stoffer Second in Points After
Houston
Geico-backed
NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle racer Karen Stoffer is perpetuating her high standing
in the POWERade point series and is ranked No. 2 following the second event of
the season, The O'Reilly Spring Nationals from Houston, TX.
The highlight of the weekend for Stoffer's was her stellar qualifying
effort at 7.02 to earn the No. 4 spot. Saturday's qualifying was rained
out and the 7.02 came during Stoffer's second and final run on Friday.
Stoffer's bid for back-to-back wins and a third event victory in Houston
fell just short in the opening round when she redlit to Joe DeSantis with a
-.026.
Next up for Stoffer will be the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals from
Atlanta. GA, April 26-29.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Stoffer Takes Point Lead into
Houston
After winning the season-opening NHRA Gatornationals from
the No. 16 spot Karen Stoffer looks to build upon her first ever POWERade Points
lead at the O'Reilly Spring Nationals from Houston, TX.
It's just another race.
 That's what
Geico-backed Pro Stock Motorcycle racer Karen Stoffer is telling herself as
she attempts to nonchalantly approach the second NHRA race of the year.
However, Stoffer admits it's hard not to get excited when leading the points.
"It's difficult because we
have never been in this position but I'm really trying to not let our lead change the way we look at this race," Stoffer said. "We are going to
approach it like any other race."
Part of what's making it hard for Stoffer to control her excitement is
the fact that Houston hasn't been "just another race" for the Geico team.
It's the track where Stoffer earned two of her four career victories.
"We've got some great memories there, but I learned that it can easily go
either way. Last year we went out first round," Stoffer said. "The thing I like about Houston is that I always seem to
feel comfortable there and Gary (Stoffer, crew chief) feels comfortable tuning the bike. I think
that is what has made us successful."
Stoffer says the formula for success is simple - figure out the best
set-up for the motorcycle as quickly as possible.
"It all comes down to me making the absolute cleanest passes I can make to help
Gary make the tuning calls," Stoffer said. "The quicker we can find out
what set-up the track needs the better."
At the first race in Gainesville, Fla. Stoffer nearly missed qualifying
for what proved to be the quickest field in the category's history.
Stoffer credited husband Gary with figuring out the necessary tune-up to put the
bike in the six-second zone for race day.
"I think we proved last race that if you can make the field you have a
chance to win," Stoffer said.
"We're going in with three fresh motors, so I'm optimistic."
"Also keep an eye out for the Karen Stoffer signature clothing line available
from Speed Dawg."
Pro Stock Motorcycle Point Standings heading into Houston
3/4/2007
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Karen Stoffer Wins NHRA Opener and Takes
Points Lead
Stoffer claims the first point lead of her career after an
improbable win from the No. 16 spot.
March Madness is the season for upsets.
GEICO-sponsored Pro Stock Motorcycle racer Karen Stoffer caught a
little of that aforementioned madness and engineered one of the greatest
underdog wins the class has ever seen at the season-opening NHRA
Gatornationals from Gainesville, Fla, March 16 -18.
Stoffer qualified in the No. 16 spot in what proved to be the quickest
field in the history of the class with a respectable run of 7.03. The undesirable
starting position meant, in the opening round of eliminations, Stoffer would
have the daunting task of taking on No. 1 qualifier and three-time class
champion Angelle Sampey, who posted a new record of 6.91 in qualifying.
 “Angelle is one of the
best and the way she was running we knew we needed a six second run to have a
chance,” Stoffer said. “Gary (Stoffer, crew chief) racked his brain all night
and figured out the right tune-up. We knew our Vance and Hines motor had the
power to run the number, we just needed to find out how to put it to the track.”
On Sunday both Stoffer and her motorcycle performed magnificently.
Stoffer cut a near-perfect .004 reaction time and ran a 6.98 to defeat Sampey’s
.119 light and quicker 6.96.
Stoffer capitalized on the momentum and went on to outrun No. 9 qualifier
Shawn Gann in round No. 2 with a 7.02 to Gann’s 7.04 and prevailed in the two
subsequent rounds on holeshot victories, defeating No. 13 Steve Johnson in the
semis with a .018/7.08 to Johnson’s .046/7.06 and No. 6 Matt Smith in the final
with a .053/7.07 to Smith’s .100/7.06
“We did our usual David and Goliath win,” said Stoffer, who has won two events
from the No. 15 spot. “We struggled in qualifying but we didn’t give up. This
year will be as difficult as ever with all the new teams but it goes to show
that if you can qualify, you have a chance to win.”
The event victory
was the fourth of Stoffer’s career and gives the GEICO Suzuki its first ever
lead in the POWERade Point Series. Stoffer became only the second Pro Stock
Motorcycle rider in over 15 years to win from the No. 16 spot and the first to
do so since Blaine Hale accomplished the rare feat in 2003.
“This is a very
special victory for us,” Stoffer said. “This is Doug and Debbie’s (Johnson,
team owners) home track. We were able to do it front of a lot of friends and
sponsors. It was great to have Suzuki Extended Protection and Chris from Speed
Dawg here. This is a great way to kick off the new Karen Stoffer clothing line
Speed Dawg will be releasing soon.”
3/19/2007
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Karen Stoffer and Team Geico Optimistic for 2007
After improving four spots in the POWERade points battle
from 2005 to 2006, Stoffer is hoping the trend continues in 2007.
Karen Stoffer, rider of the GEICO-backed NHRA Pro
Stock Motorcycle, is eagerly anticipating the start to the 2007 season at the
Gatornationals from Gainesville, Fla. March 16-18. Stoffer is coming off a
career best sixth-place finish in the point series and, because of off-season
NHRA rule changes, will have more horsepower than ever.
 "Our Suzuki has a lot
of power," Stoffer said. "Vance and Hines has given us some great motors.
I'm very excited."
"I feel like we have made steady progress," team owner Doug Johnson said. "Team Geico
has tested more this off season and we think it will show."
Also new in 2007 will be NHRA's playoff style point system that will
eliminate riders who fall behind from championship contention at specific points
in the season.
"Consistency will be as important as ever now with the new
countdown system," Stoffer said. "It's going to be very important for us
to make the most of every single qualifying session and make four quality laps."
All indications from preseason testing and races in other sanctions
involving the Pro Stock Motorcycles, have led many to believe that this will be
the most competitive season yet.
"With all the new riders in the class, it should be more
competitive than ever. Just qualifying for all 16 races will be saying
something," Johnson said. "It looks like there could be nine or ten Buells out here
this year and the Harleys are always fast so the Geico Suzuki will have to run
strong, but we think we're up to the task."
Stoffer echoed that sentiment.
"This class has always been tough, but based on the performance of the Buells
early this season, this should be the toughest yet," Stoffer said. "The
number of tough competitors seems to multiply each year."
Stoffer is pleased to announce the addition of two sponsors that will support
the GEICO team throughout 2007.
"Speed Dawg is back with us and they will be
onboard all season. They will even produce a Karen Stoffer signature line
that will be out soon," Stoffer said. "Also
Suzuki Unlimited Coverage will be with us as well and we are very happy to be a
part of that program."
3/14/2007 |
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