Patrick
Racing Does it Again!
By:
Jack Korpela
Photos: Matt Polito/Dragbikephotos.com
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Mark
Underwood
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Michael
Ray
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For the
second straight event, Mark Underwood, aboard his Nigel Patrick-tuned
Yamaha Road Star Warrior, reset the national elapsed-time
and speed record in the Hot Rod Cruiser category. A month
ago in St. Louis the Patrick Racing Team found some hidden
horsepower and was able to lower the mark to an astounding
9.44. This time at the AMA/Prostar Norris Cyclefest from Norwalk,
OH, Patrick Racing surpassed their previous lap-time with
a dazzling 9.42 at 140 mph.
"We had
a phenomenal 1.33 60-foot time," Underwood said. "That's
pretty good for a 750 pound motorcycle. I knew it was going
to be good after it carried the front wheel past the 60-foot
clock. It was as perfect as a run as I have ever had."
After a solo
pass in round-one, Underwood met up with Orient Express-backed,
number-four qualifier Ed Krawiec. Underwood slowed a couple
of hundredths but still crossed the finish line first with
a 9.63 at 140 mph to Krawiec's 10.14 at 129 mph.
In a rematch
from the St. Louis final, Underwood took on his Harley Davidson-mounted
nemesis, Rick McWaters. Underwood recorded the quicker elapsed-time
with a 9.66, but McWaters' starting-line advantage was enough
to hold of the former champ with a 9.79.
"I was
pretty devastated after losing by only eight-thousandths of
a second in the final," Underwood said. "I've been
so focused on getting good short-times that I have been neglecting
my lights."
Teammate,
Michael Ray also had a strong showing but ironically succumbed
to the same fate as Underwood. Ray qualified in the number-two
spot with a solid 9.64 at 138 mph. Ray advanced to the semi-finals
but, like his teammate, was taken out by Rick McWaters on
a holeshot with a 9.710 to McWaters' 9.719.
The points
battle is starting to tighten up with Underwood in the number-two
spot, 44 points back of the lead, and Ray in the number-three
spot, 62 points behind leader Rick McWaters.
"We have
five races left, so we have to pick up 10 points on Rick at
each race," Underwood said. "I'm not worried, I
like coming from behind, and I think we are going to be able
to get this championship."
Patrick
Racing thanked all of its sponsors for their dedication, and
is striving to win them yet another championship:
