{"id":13464,"date":"2017-10-26T21:22:01","date_gmt":"2017-10-27T02:22:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=13464"},"modified":"2017-10-26T21:22:01","modified_gmt":"2017-10-27T02:22:01","slug":"pro-stock-motorcycles-karen-stoffer-intent-on-changing-her-vegas-luck-at-nhra-toyota-nationals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2017\/10\/26\/pro-stock-motorcycles-karen-stoffer-intent-on-changing-her-vegas-luck-at-nhra-toyota-nationals\/","title":{"rendered":"Pro Stock Motorcycle’s Karen Stoffer intent on changing her Vegas luck at NHRA Toyota Nationals"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Courtesy of the NHRA<\/em><\/p>\n

LAS VEGAS \u2013 The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the site of this weekend\u2019s NHRA<\/a> Toyota Nationals, is one of the tracks closer to home for Pro Stock Motorcycle\u2019s Karen Stoffer<\/strong>, a Minden, Nev., resident. Despite the proximity and her affinity for the facility, it\u2019s a track she\u2019s never been able to solve, something she hopes to finally change this weekend.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Karen Stoffer. NHRA photo<\/p><\/div>\n

Stoffer is searching for her first victory since 2015 on her Stoffer Enterprises Suzuki and her first ever victory in Las Vegas, which plays host to the penultimate event of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship. Stoffer currently sits eighth in Pro Stock Motorcycle points and is aiming to head into the off-season with ample momentum.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love the track and facility, so hopefully this is a year of change,\u201d said Stoffer, who has eight career wins. \u201cUnfortunately, it\u2019s never been a good race for us, so hopefully we can put those things behind us. It\u2019s one we haven\u2019t been able to master and we\u2019re trying really hard to do that this year. We still have a little bit left to find with our performance, but if we can find it hopefully we can equate that to a great ending to the season.\u201d<\/p>\n

Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), John Force (Funny Car), Shane Gray (Pro Stock) and Jerry Savoie (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year\u2019s winners of the event that will be televised on FOX Sports 1 (FS1), including live final eliminations coverage starting at 4:00 p.m. (ET) on Sunday, Oct. 29. It is the fifth of six playoff races during the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Karen Stoffer. NHRA photo<\/p><\/div>\n

In these last two races, Stoffer still has goals in mind for herself and teammate Scotty Pollacheck. It might not be catching points leader Eddie Krawiec, who is 176 points ahead of fifth-place Pollacheck, but there is plenty the tandem can accomplish. Stoffer, Pollacheck and Jim Underdahl teamed up this season, and Stoffer has enjoyed the process. Pollacheck is on track for his best-ever finish in the class, while Stoffer has an opportunity to end her year on a good note.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think for us it\u2019s been a good year and we\u2019re continuing to find that E.T. that we\u2019ve been missing the last couple years,\u201d Stoffer said. \u201cWe can\u2019t climb much higher in the points, but if we can help Scotty a little bit and find our E.T., I would consider it a good season. That will help us going into next year. I think we\u2019ve made a turnaround and we\u2019re improving race after race. We\u2019re optimistic going into this race.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stoffer removed the fuel injection from the bike and went back to carburetors, and, after the initial adjustment, she has made steady improvement, advancing to a pair of semifinals and qualifying for the Countdown to the Championship for the eighth time in her career. Getting a late-season win in Vegas won\u2019t be an easy task, as a total of 26 riders will be competing in Pro Stock Motorcycle this weekend, but that only adds to the excitement for the class veteran.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s great to see all the riders coming out and doing well, and doing it with good teams,\u201d Stoffer said. \u201cIt shows how thriving this class and sport is. I\u2019ve always been an advocate of giving people the opportunity to come out and it\u2019s great seeing all these people. There\u2019s so many riders out there and I think it\u2019s going to be very challenging (in Vegas). But if we can find the little bit left performance-wise on the bike, I think we can have a good weekend.\u201d<\/p>\n

Defending Top Fuel event winner Torrence has his sights on his first world championship. The eight-time 2017 winner leads Brittany Force and Doug Kalitta by 57 and 76 points, respectively.<\/p>\n

In Funny Car, Ron Capps is trying to track down his second straight world title, but holds a slim 24-points lead against Robert Hight, who won the most recent event.<\/p>\n

Greg Anderson is after a fifth world title in Pro Stock, and will likely have to hold off a KB Racing teammate to do it. Bo Butner is 15 points back, while reigning champ Jason Line is 30 points out.<\/p>\n

The NHRA Toyota Nationals will also feature thrilling competition in the NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series as well as the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. After Nitro qualifying, watch the spectacular Muy Caliente Racing jet dragsters sponsored by Lucas Oil, along with the eye lighting Black Pearl Jet Funny Car from Douthit Motorsports. Known for their exciting pre-run flame shows and after burner pops, jet cars are thrust driven vehicles propelled by jet engines.<\/p>\n

As always, fans can interact with their favorite drivers as they\u2019re granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity in motorsports gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers. Fans also will want to visit NHRA\u2019s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create a carnival atmosphere, with interactive displays, simulated competitions, merchandise, food and fun for the entire family.<\/p>\n

Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 1:45 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 27, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Oct. 28, at 1:15 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 29.<\/p>\n

To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call 800-644-4444 or 702-644-4444. Tickets also are available online at www.lvms.com<\/a>. Kids 12 and under are free in general admission areas with a paid adult. To honor the Salute to First Responders, military and first responders can save 20 percent on general admission tickets at the gate. For more info, visit www.NHRA.com<\/a>.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

WHAT:<\/strong> 17th annual NHRA Toyota Nationals, the 23rd of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series and the fifth of six playoff races in the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship. Drivers in four categories – Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle – earn points leading to 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships.<\/p>\n

WHERE:<\/strong> The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas. Track is located approximately 15 miles north of Las Vegas off I-15.<\/p>\n

COURSE:<\/strong> Championship drag strip; Track elevation is 2,100 feet above sea level; Track direction is south to north.<\/p>\n

WHEN:<\/strong> Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 26-29<\/p>\n

SCHEDULE:<\/strong> THURSDAY, Oct. 26 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying<\/p>\n

FRIDAY, Oct. 27 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying
\nNHRA J&A SERVICE PRO MOD SERIES qualifying at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
\nMELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 1:45 p.m. and 4:15 p.m.<\/p>\n

SATURDAY, Oct. 28 – LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations
\nNHRA J&A SERVICE PRO MOD SERIES qualifying at 3:00 p.m. Round 1 of eliminations at 5:30 p.m.
\nMELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 1:15 p.m. and 3:45 p.m.<\/p>\n

SUNDAY, Oct. 29 – Pre-race ceremonies, 10:15 a.m.
\nMELLO YELLO SERIES eliminations begin at 11:00 a.m.<\/p>\n

TELEVISION:<\/strong> 
\nFriday, Oct. 27, FOX Sports 1 (FS1) will televise one hour of live qualifying coverage at 6:00 p.m. (ET).
\nSunday, Oct. 29, FS1 will air one hour of qualifying coverage at 3:00 p.m. (ET).
\nSunday, Oct. 29, FS1 will televise three hours of live finals coverage starting at 4:00 p.m. (ET).<\/p>\n

2016 EVENT WINNERS:<\/strong> 
\nSteve Torrence, Top Fuel; John Force, Funny Car; Shane Gray, Pro Stock; Jerry Savoie, Pro Stock Motorcycle.<\/p>\n

MOST VICTORIES:<\/strong> 
\nAndrew Hines, PSM, 5; Greg Anderson, PS, 7; John Force, FC, 8 Tony Schumacher, TF<\/p>\n

TRACK RECORDS:<\/strong> 
\nTop Fuel – 3.689 sec. by Steve Torrence, Oct \u201816 and 332.67 mph by Shawn Langdon, Oct. \u201915.
\nFunny Car – 3.867 sec. by Courtney Force, April \u201917 and 331.94 mph by John Force Oct. \u201816
\nPro Stock – 6.559 sec. and 210.28 mph by Erica Enders, Oct. \u201915.
\nPro Stock Motorcycle – 6.852 sec. by Jerry Savoie, Oct. \u201915; 196.56 mph by Eddie Krawiec, Oct. \u201911<\/p>\n

NATIONAL RECORDS:<\/strong> 
\nTop Fuel – 3.631 sec. by Clay Millican, Sept. \u201817, Brainerd; 333.66 mph by Brittany Force, May \u201817, Topeka, Kan.
\nFunny Car – 3.793 sec. by Robert Hight, Aug. ’17, Brainerd; 339.87 mph by Robert Hight, July \u201917, Sonoma, Calif. 
\nPro Stock – 6.455 sec. by Jason Line, March ’15, Charlotte, N.C.;  215.55 mph by Erica Enders, May \u201814, Englishtown N.J.
\nPS Motorcycle – 6.728 sec. by Andrew Hines, Oct. \u201912, Reading, Pa.; 199.88 mph by Hector Arana Jr., March \u201915, Charlotte, N.C.<\/p>\n

TICKETS:<\/strong> For tickets call (800) 644-4444, or visit www.LVMS.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Courtesy of the NHRA LAS VEGAS \u2013 The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the site of this weekend\u2019s NHRA Toyota Nationals, is one of the tracks closer to home for Pro Stock Motorcycle\u2019s Karen Stoffer, a Minden, Nev., resident. Despite the proximity and her affinity for the facility, it\u2019s a track she\u2019s never been […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13467,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[4],"tags":[510,6,334,509],"class_list":["post-13464","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nhra","tag-karen-stoffer","tag-nhra","tag-the-strip-at-las-vegas-motor-speedway","tag-toyota-nationals"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Stoffer_Karen_Action_2017.jpg?fit=2250%2C1500&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7hzTZ-3va","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13464","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13464"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13464\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13468,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13464\/revisions\/13468"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13467"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13464"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13464"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13464"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}