Chip Ellis looks to continue his consistent season performance this weekend at the 27th annual NHRA Nationals at Brainerd (Minn.) International Raceway, the 10th stop on the 17-race Pro Stock Motorcycle schedule of the 2008 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. The rider of the Don Schumacher Electric Suzuki sits atop arguably the fastest Suzuki on the tour this season and he hopes to guide his two-wheeled rocket into the winner’s circle this weekend.
The Florida native is third in the PSM point standings following one season victory, a runner-up finish, one quarterfinal and four semifinal results in the first nine races of the year. He has also qualified the Schumacher Electric Suzuki in the top half of the 16-bike field at every event this year, including five No. 2 qualifiers. Ellis will aim to qualify for his 60th consecutive PSM race this weekend.
“The fans at Brainerd are great,” said Ellis, who qualified No. 1 at this event last year and in 2006. “The fans save up all year to come to this event and to see us race. I like going there and checking out all the crazy stuff they have going on in ‘the zoo’ (Brainerd’s famous campground). The track is always good and I’m looking forward to arriving there and having a good time. The fans there love the bikes and I think they just love being there.
“The racing surface is really good,” he added. “The Suzuki I’m riding set the track record there last year (6.959 seconds by Angelle Sampey), so maybe we can go out there and break the track record this year and get another win. We’d love to keep our momentum going.”
CHIP ELLIS QUICK FACTS:
* Third in the point standings after nine of 17 events (one victory in two final rounds, four semifinal, one quarterfinal, and two first-round finishes)
* Qualified No. 1 in 2007 in Brainerd, advanced to the quarterfinals
* Also qualified No. 1 in Brainerd in 2006
* Has won six races in nine career final-round appearances
* Career round win/loss record is 83-53
* 2008 is first season with Don Schumacher Racing
* Recorded second 6.8-second run (6.892) in Memphis in 2007
* Finished career-best third in the points last season, just eight points shy of wining the championship
* Went down to the final round at the final race to decide the 2007 championship
* Qualified for all 59 NHRA races he has competed in Pro Stock Motorcycle since 2004
* A graduate of the Frank Hawley Drag Racing School at Gainesville Raceway
* Had two runner-up finishes and five No. 1 qualifiers in 2007
* Qualified No. 1 12 times
* Won first national event at Las Vegas 2 during his rookie season in 2004
* Qualified No. 1 in his NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle debut at the 2004 U.S. Nationals
* Ran an abbreviated 2004 rookie season with a No. 1 qualifier at U.S. Nationals, No. 4 at Reading, No. 2 and event win at Las Vegas, and No. 1 qualifier and semi-final appearance at Pomona
* Born in Daytona Beach, Fla., on 2/20/70
* Lives in Brownsburg, Ind., with wife Kathy and daughter McKenzie (10/23/01)
* AMA/ProStar Formula Super Bike champion in 2003
* AMA/ProStar Funny Bike champion in 2002
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