Slowe Takes Over Points Lead
By Jack Korpela

Mike "Anything But" Slowe continued his late-season dominance of the 60-Inch category by setting a new elapsed-time record and winning the Fall Nationals from Maryland International Raceway. Slowe, aboard his beautiful stroker Hayabusa, has now won the last three events in which he has entered and eclipsed the national E.T. record twice.

"I have got a lot of people in my corner helping me out," Slowe said. "That's what it is all about. I couldn't do this alone."

In qualifying Slowe was edged out of the pole position by Alphonso Thompson by a hundredth of a second and ended up in the number-two spot with a lap time of an on pace 8.39 at 176 mph.

"We were trying out some new stuff in qualifying, so I wasn't really worried that we weren't number one," the third year veteran Slowe said. "I knew if I did my job in eliminations we would have it."

In eliminations Slowe continued to run impressive sub-8.40 elapsed-times, defeating formidable opponents Jamie Steele and Anthony Smith.
Slowe's run of the weekend came in the semis when he needed it most. Against pole-sitter Thompson, slowed clicked off the quickest 60-Inch run of-all-time with a track blistering 8.24 at 181 mph to get by Thompson's 8.41 at 155 mph.

"It just seemed like when it came down to when the pressure was on the bike just wanted to run," Slowe said. "The bike was there all weekend, I was just a little off in the beginning."

In the final, Slowe, aboard his Hayabusa, motored past Michael Addison's 92 GSXR with an 8.39 to Addison's 8.37. The victory was fast charging Slowe's second straight at MIR and has gained him the lead in the championship series.

With two races left to go Slowe now looks forward to the tour's next stop in Rockingham, NC, September 27th-28th for the Fish's October Bike Fest.

"I won't miss it for the world," Slowe said. "It's an awesome feeling to be leading the points. I just need to stay consistent and keep going rounds."

Slowe extended special thanks to all of his friends, supporters, and sponsors that have helped him this year. Slowe's sponsors include; The Cycle Shop, Fun Center Motorsports, Gutter Helmets, Schnitz Racing, and World Wide Bearings.

Slowe also thanked; his father "Big" Gil Slowe, his girlfriend Nicole McCarron, Paul Watkins, Gary Kramer, and Big Carl and Kevin of The Cycle Shop.