Team
Trim-Tex advances to the semi-finals at Reading
The rain-affected Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals concluded on a
good note for Team Trim-Tex, the NHRA Pro Stock Bike team
helmed by rider Geno Scali. Despite the temporary halt of
the event three weeks ago due to rain after just one qualifying
pass and the weather-caused cancellation of one of two planned
qualifying runs at the make-up event this past weekend, Scali
still claimed a spot in the top half of the field with a 7.175-second
pass.
Starting from that
fifth-place position, points leader Scali met racer GT Tonglet
for the first round of eliminations. Despite Tonglet's good
7.12-second run, Scali's run was stronger with a 7.07-second
pass, his best of the event.
Luck played a hand with the next run when Scali's poor 7.96-second
performance nevertheless clinched the round win when opponent
Shawn Gann, second place points holder, fouled at the starting
line.
Looking to take
advantage of the advance to the semi-finals, Scali was prepared
to face Angelle Savoie, but her bike's power was just too
much, giving her the win with a 7.05-second pass compared
to Scali's 7.11-second run.
"We improved
so much in that third run but couldn't catch her. We could've
run closer than we did, but I missed a shift point and we
were slightly off on the tune-up because we didn't get enough
data due to not completing that second run, so we came up
too short," he said.
Overall, though,
the team is pleased with their semi-final appearance because
each round advanced helps them retain their championship points
lead. With two races remaining for the Pro Stock Bike class,
Scali is holding firm as he looks forward to claiming his
first championship.
"Our focus
is definitely the championship at this point in the season.
We feel good that we got past the second round this weekend
and that we're leaving with more points at the end of the
event," he said. "All of us on the team have a really
good attitude and just can't wait to see how this season finishes.
We're worked hard, so I'm just thrilled to still be in contention."
The class has a
brief break before competing next at the ACDelco Las Vegas
NHRA Nationals, Oct. 23 - 26.
