Hale
Makes Strides at Memphis
By Greg Guarinello
Photos: Dragbikephotos.com
Blaine Hale and the Cornwell
Tools Suzuki team felt they made real strides at the 16th
annual O'Reilly Mid-South Nationals this past weekend. "We
qualified number fifteen," said Blaine, "but our
computer read-outs are better then what the scoreboards are
showing. We have been chasing a new combination and our computer
shows us making solid improvements. Sometimes you just have
to go backwards a bit to go forward."
Hale said, "We
have come a long way since the beginning of the season when
we didn't qualify for the first three races on the tour. We
are sneaking up on the rest of the field little by little.
What people forget is that this is our first year on a Suzuki
and we've had a learning curve to adjust to."
The Cornwell Tools
Team qualified with a 7.258 second pass at 183.62 MPH but
went out in the first round when Blaine and Geno Scali took
part in a double red light run. Blaine cut a -.012 light to
Geno's -.003 second light. "I knew I needed to cut a
light against Geno. I pushed the tree a bit too hard and lit
the red. What I didn't know is that Geno also lit the red
but because I did it first he got the win. It was a bit of
a payback as we both red-lit in Denver but at that race Geno
went first and I got the win. From there I was able to go
on to the winner's circle."
"The good news is that
we feel we learned a lot from the Memphis race that we can
apply to the re-run of the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals next week.
The air and altitude were similar and we are sitting in the
eighth qualifying position right now with a 7.24 at 185.31
MPH. If the conditions stay the way they were or improve any
we should be able to move up nicely. It would make all the
effort we have been putting into the bike worthwhile for sure.
I really feel that we can move up and make a run at the win."
On a related subject Blaine
noted that he recently signed a two-year deal to continue
the sponsorship of the Hale team by Cornwell Tools. "Cornwell
Tools and Scott Martindale (Motorsports Manager, Cornwell
Tools) have been very good to me and my family" said
Blaine. "We are proud to be continuing our involvement
with such a quality organization. Their products and commitment
to their customers are legendary and their dedication to our
racing program has been a blessing. Its people like this that
make us work even harder to succeed."
"I have to continue
to thank Cornwell Tools, Wells Cargo Trailers, Red Line Oil,
Extreme Suspensions, Inc., Saturn of Permian Basin, Advanced
Quick Lube of Midland, Texas, Vance and Hines Racing for an
excellent motor, and my Dad, Clayton and my Mom, Sharon for
all their continued support."
"Our next race will be the re-running of the Lucas Oil
NHRA Nationals in Reading, PA on Oct. 4th and 5th. We are
looking forward to using what we have learned lately in an
effort to get back into the Winners Circle"
