Horne aims for first win of the season, confident team will make it to the final
Norwalk, pre-race: Rookie Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Doug Horne approaches this weekend’s Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals with great anticipation as he makes his first appearance at Summit Motorsports Park.
Riding the momentum of his successful inaugural season on the NHRA Full Throttle drag racing circuit, Horne is confident in his ability to make it into the final round of eliminations. A red-light foul at the United Association NHRA SuperNationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown in the last race eliminated him in the second round, but Horne considers that a minor hiccup in his otherwise thriving debut season.
“I feel very lucky to be doing so well,” said the 21-year-old Aberdeen, Md., native. “If I didn’t have that red-light foul in the second round against Bailey Whitaker at Englishtown, I would have made it as far as the final round and had a shot at winning the event.”
This season has been exceptional for the rookie, achieving two final rounds in the first six Pro Stock Motorcycle events. He credits his achievement to the Horne Racing Buell’s crew chief Bob Taft and his team.
“Bob and the team have done an amazing job of preparing the motorcycle for these events. Without them, I would not be having such a great debut season.”
Horne is currently fifth in the championship standings, with 401 points. He is 127 points behind the point leader, Eddie Krawiec. This weekend’s race is the seventh Pro Stock Motorcycle event and 12th national event, marking the halfway point of the 24-race 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season.
Horne qualifies eighth
Norwalk, Saturday: Doug Horne, the 21-year-old rookie rider of the Horne Racing Buell Pro Stock Motorcycle, qualified eighth his first appearance at tomorrow's Summit Racing Equipment Nationals here at Summit Motorsports Park.
After an unsuccessful run with no time recorded during the first round of qualifying on Friday, Horne was able to complete three qualifying runs successfully with a final elapsed time of 7.119 at 187.21-mph which placed him in the middle of the field.
Horne's first two complete qualifying passes were 7.067 e.t. at 185.97-mph and 7.106 e.t. at 188.25-mph respectively.
"The second session on Friday (against Hector Arana) was fastest," said the Aberdeen, Md., native. "Our runs today may have been slower, but tomorrow is a new day and I'm confident in my team and our motorcycle."
Horne will face Michael Phillips, the ninth qualifier, who ran an 7.086 e.t. at 191.08-mph tomorrow during the first round of eliminations.
"I'm very fortunate to be here and be doing so well," added Horne. "I'm happy to be competing at such a high level and against such great riders. My team has done a great job of ensuring my inaugural season is exceptional."
After making his NHRA debut in Gainesville, Fla. at the ACDelco
Gatornationals, Horne has proven he is a force to be reckoned with, achieving two final-round appearances during the first six Pro Stock Motorcycle events.
Coming into Norwalk, Doug Horne is fifth in the championship standings with 401 points. He is 127 points behind the point leader, Eddie Krawiec.
Horne advances to second round
Norwalk, Sunday: Doug Horne piloted his Horne Racing Buell ProStock Motorcycle into the second round today against Andrew Hines in the Summit Racing Equipment Nationals here.
Horne, enjoying a successful rookie NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing season, ran a 7.130-second quarter mile at 186.12 miles per hour, which was not quick enough to top Hines' 6.992 seconds at 191.32 mph.
"We gave it a good shot," said the 21-year old Aberdeen, Md., native. "There's no shame in losing to a great champion like Andrew, especially considering his terrific run today."
Horne had advanced to the second round with a first round win against Michael Phillips, who fouled out. Horne ran a 7.116-second quarter mile at 185.77 mph. He had qualified eighth for today's race on the strength of a 7.076-second run at 188.25 mph.
"Sure we are disappointed with today's results," said Horne. "But we are still pumped about the season."
Horne remains fifth in the NHRA Full Throttle Pro Stock Motorcycle Drag Racing championship competition with 454 points. He leaves Summit Motorsports Park 170 points behind the leader Eddie Krawiec.
