Horne hopes relaxation results in success
Sonoma, pre-race: Doug Horne, rider of the Horne Racing Buell Pro Stock Motorcycle, is relaxed after a weekend off the circuit and is now looking to continue his upswing at this weekend's Fram Autolite NHRA Nationals at Infineon Raceway.
"While the Top Fuel and Funny Car classes were racing in Seattle, our family decided to take the weekend and relax. Drag racing is a very mental game, and it was good to take the extra time to unwind. It's amazing what some time off will do to help you refocus on your game," said the 21-year-old Aberdeen, Md. native.
"Now we'll approach Sonoma with everything we've got. We improved with every run at Denver, so I'm feeling pretty good about this weekend's race."
Horne's elapsed times during the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals were 7.638, 7.549, 7.466, 7.442, and 7.430, respectively, through qualifying and up to his quarterfinal elimination, minus the second qualifying run on Friday when his Buell got loose.
"Infineon Raceway is a fast track, and it will seem faster after Bandimere. I'm looking forward to racing and the scenery in the Sonoma area since it's my first time there," Horne added.
Horne, who currently holds fifth in the championship points standings, will be looking to
solidify his spot in the Countdown to 1 over the next four races.
Horne qualifies fifth
Sonoma, Saturday: After a relaxing weekend off the circuit, Horne Racing Buell Pro Stock Motorcycle driver Doug Horne came back strong and qualified fifth for tomorrow's FRAM-Autolite Nationals at Infineon Raceway. After four sessions of qualifying, improving his elapsed time with each run, Horne was excited for tomorrow's race.
"Our team was able to refocus after spending a weekend off the tour," said the 21-year-old rookie. "It really helped us bring it together and approach this weekend refreshed."
Horne's fourth run clinched the fifth qualifying spot with a 6.970-second run at 194.13 miles per hour, a career best speed. The Aberdeen, Md. native will face Steve Johnson, who qualified 12th with a 7.057-second run at 191.87 miles per hour, during the first round of eliminations.
"Steve is a very fast and experienced driver," said Horne. "My team has been doing a great job at tuning the motorcycle and I'm looking forward to the race tomorrow. Since the motorcycles were so air deprived in Denver, it's good to be in Sonoma where the Pro Stock Motorcycles perform well," he added.
During the first three qualifying sessions, Horne ran a 7.195-second run at 182.90 miles per hour, 7.080-second run at 187.26 miles per hour and 7.063-second run at 186.95 miles per hour, respectively.
Horne currently holds fifth in the championship point standings and is looking to solidify
his spot in the Countdown to One over the next four races.
Horne eliminated in semifinals
Sonoma, Sunday: Doug Horne of the Horne Racing Buell Pro Stock Motorcycle was ousted in the semifinals at the FRAM-Autolite Nationals here at Infineon Raceway.
Horne suffered a red light foul with a -0.011 reaction time during his run against the number one qualifier, Eddie Krawiec, and posted a 7.085 elapsed time at 189.84 miles per hour. Krawiec made his semifinal pass at 6.982-seconds at 191.48 miles per hour.
"This is my fourth time running against Eddie and I knew I needed to beat him off the line to have a shot," said the 21-year-old Aberdeen, Md. native. "Eddie is fast and I tried my best."
During the first two elimination rounds the Horne Racing Buell Pro Stock Motorcycle and its driver easily made quick down the track, posting a 6.976 e.t. at 189.92-mph and 7.038 e.t. at 189.31 mph, respectively.
"The team has a good handle on the Pro Stock Motorcycle and as long as we continue to build on everything we've learned so far, we'll be just fine," Horne added. "We just have to look forward to the next race in Brainerd."
The next Pro Stock Motorcycle event is the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, Minn. There is a two-week break in between Sonoma and Brainerd.
"We'll use the time off to regroup again and see where we can improve as a team."
Coming into Sonoma, Horne holds fifth in the championship point standings.
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