Pro Stock Motorcycles and Pro Stock (cars) are two of the fastest classes to run on a 1320-foot quarter mile track when the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing series conducts its National Events. As for the pro stock bikes, there is no seat belt, parachute, or roll cage to protect the riders, just a wheelie bar and lots of motor. Although massive in appearance, race bikes feature a tube chassis and lightweight bodywork.
Last year Vance & Hines, which is a name that is synonymous with motorcycle drag racing and a long-time Harley Davidson stable, introduced a new 1850cc four-valve head Suzuki motor that approaches 400 horsepower and lays down times in 6.70s. Even defending NHRA world champion Matt Smith has parked his V-twin Buell in favor of the Suzuki engine package.
Pro Stock cars slightly resemble production based vehicles, but they have a tube chassis with four-link rear suspension. Spec fuel (gasoline) uses electronic fuel injection to feed 500 cubic-inch engines that can produce 1300 horsepower. Over the five decades that the doorslammer class has competed at NHRA events, most manufacturers have sponsored factory-backed teams in Pro Stock.
Today, the Chevrolet Camaro is the body style preferred by the most competitive teams. Pro Stock’s DRCE (Drag Race Competition Engine) evolved from a Chevy big-block engine into a 1400-horsepower naturally aspirated weapon that’s completely rebuilt between events. The class features a round-tube 4130 chrome-moly chassis that produces some of the closest finishes in the sport.
Angelle Sampey Wins in Pro Stock Motorcycle
Angelle Sampey entered Sunday’s elimination rounds at Norwalk as the Number Two qualifier behind her teammate Eddie Krawiec. Sampey knocked off Ron Tornow, defending world champion Matt Smith, and Thunder Valley winner Jerry Savoie enroute to a final round matchup with Joey Gladstone. Gladstone had recovered from a bad start in round one to beat James Underdahl's .003 RT, then rebounded to eliminate Karen Stofer and Hector Arana Jr. with three solid passes.
Sampey and Gladstone had each won 4 times racing each other at prior NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle events. But at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park, Sampey had the jump off the tree and never trailed with a straight-as-an-arrow run down the groove for her first Wally of the 2022 season aboard her Vance & Hines Mission Suzuki. It was the 46th victory of the veteran’s stellar career, which is still ten shy of Andrew Hines record. To no one's surprise, Hines is currently Sampey’s crew chief.
Enders Claims Her Fifth Wally of 2022 in Pro Stock
Erica Enders had a weekend that was reminiscent of her early championship years in Pro Stock. At Norwalk, no other driver was that close as Enders claimed Number One qualifier and defeated Fernando Cuadra Jr., Matt Hartford, and Deric Kramer to reach the championship round. Driving the Janac Brothers Camaro, Aaron Stanfield eliminated Troy Coughlin Jr., Mason McGaha, and Kyle Koretsky enroute to a final round matchup against the Pro Stock points leader.
In the third-straight final round between teammates, Enders posted her slowest speed (207.88 mph) but second-fastest reaction time (.018 RT) against Stanfield. It was Enders second consecutive win at the Summit Racing Equipment Nationals with a final round pass at 6.627 ET in her Melling Performance/Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro. Sunday’s Wally was the 38th national win for the four-time NHRA champion.
Photo courtesy of Angelle Sampey Facebook
UP COMING:
Dodge Power Brokers Mile-High Nationals
The NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series returns to action July 15-17 with the Dodge Power Brokers NHRA Mile-High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway. The famed three-race NHRA West Coast Swing begins in Denver.
