Pro Stock Bike Top 10

National Dragster, Jul 23, 2004

Midseason overview: Most insiders figured that the Screamin' Eagle Harley-Davidsons would be fast this season, but few thought that they would emerge as the dominant brand. In just his second full season, Mines has a huge 182-point lead on the strength of his three wins (in Gainesville, Columbus, and Englishtown), and the POWERade Pro Stock Bike championship is his to lose. Even the recent NHRA rule revision that added 40 pounds to the weight of all V-Twin entries isn't likely to stop him from becoming NHRA's youngest Professional champion.

Quotebook: "I was feeling comfortable with the points lead until we had to add weight to the bike. Now it's going to be harder to win rounds Sunday. I never thought winning a championship was going to be easy, so I'll just have to become a better rider."

Season highlight: "Winning in Englishtown was the best, especially because I didn't qualify there last year. This year I qualified No. 1, set the [elapsed^time] record, and won the race; it was just about perfect."

Season low: "Finding out that we had to add 40 pounds to the bike two days before we raced in [Madison]. I knew we were going to get weight, but I didn't think it would be that much or that soon. We didn't have any time to test, and I barely made the field."

Looking ahead: "Our team is going to push forward to get the bike back to where it was before [Madison]. We won't have a tenth on the field again, but I think we can still get up with the leaders. I'm still learning a lot at every race, so I hope we can continue to improve."

Midseason overview: Few would have expected reigning NHRA POWERade Pro Stock Bike champ Scali to go winless during the first half of the season, but he's still a contender for the 2004 title thanks to four semifinal finishes and just one first-round loss. Last year, Scali was better in the second half than he was in the first, so there is hope for a late-season rally.

Quotebook: "We've had a lot of small problems: We broke a crank at one race, had an electrical problem at another, and I dropped the ball in Chicago with a bad light. Then we decided to debut a bike in Englishtown. I'm third in the points, so I don't think I'm out of this. The NHRA technical department helped us by adding weight to [V-Twins], so I think we have a chance."

Season highlight: "I'm still waiting for it. Seriously, I can't think of one moment that stands out more than any other right now. I hope that will change soon."

Season low: "Losing in the first round in Chicago was the worst. That's my home race; I had a lot of friends and family there, and I got beat on a holeshot. I saw a bunch of red-lights ahead of me, and I wanted to make sure I was green, but I was really green."

Looking ahead: "If I can repeat last year's second half, I can make up a lot of ground. We've got to be more consistent. Our new PMFR chassis is an awesome piece. It has a ton of potential, but it needs more testing. Once we get a tune-up for that bike, our performance will improve."

Midseason overview: After seven events last year, Gann had 475 points and was in third place. Gann's stats this season are remarkably similar at the break with 473 points and a second-place effort. He held on to finish third last season, a feat he could easily surpass this year.

Quotebook: "I'm in the same spot I was last year, so I'm not sure if that's good or bad. I'd like to be doing a little better, but there are a lot of good teams behind. That shows that we've improved our program. I might be able to win the championship - I like to think I can - but I need to win more races."

Season highlight: "The win in Chicago was a pretty good deal. I was a little disgusted and aggravated because things weren't going our way, but that helped renew my enthusiasm."

Season low: "There are a few of them to choose from, but losing in the first round in Gainesville was not the way I wanted to start the season. I also didn't like getting beat by Steve Johnson in [Madison]. Thankfully, I tend to bounce back pretty well."

Looking ahead: "Even at 615 pounds, I feel like the Harleys have power to do whatever they want to. They still have an advantage, but I've got a good shot to make a move. I don't get wrapped up in points and all of that. My dad and I just work in our shop and try to make our program better, and as long as we're doing that, we're happy."

Midseason overview: Though overshadowed by his Screamin' Eagle teammate, Tonglet is enjoying one of the best seasons of his career. A runner-up at the season opener in Gainesville, Tonglet has reached the second roxind at all but one of the first seven events, a huge improvement over last year, when he was barely in the top 10 at midseason.

Quotebook: "This year is not going as I planned. I thought I'd be a little higher in the points, but a couple of red-lights have hurt me. Don't get me wrong, fourth isn't a bad place to be, but I know I can do better. We'll just have to see what the second half brings."

Season highlight: "Getting to the final in Gainesville was awesome. Even though I didn't win, being part of the first all-Harley-Davidson Pro Stock Bike final is something I will remember for a long time. Also, I got engaged a couple of weeks ago, so that's a highlight, too."