HORNE STAYS ACTIVE DURING LULL IN SCHEDULE
BRAINERD, Minn., August 12- While most drivers spent the two-week break in the NHRA schedule relaxing and spending time away from the track, Horne Racing Buell Pro Stock Motorcycle driver Doug Horne spent his time going back to his roots and racing in the AHDRA.
“I raced the nitro bikes at Bristol Dragway,” said the 21-year-old Aberdeen, Md. native. “It was good seeing the people I started racing with and it reminded me of how far I’ve come. It was a humbling experience.” Horne won the Top Fuel class with a 6.44 e.t. at 217-mph, giving him the extra boost of confidence he needs going into this weekend’s Lucas Oil Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway. “I’m carrying that winning momentum from Bristol,” said Horne. “We’ve made progress since Denver and we had a chance to do some testing last week with our crew. Between the win at Bristol and the extra seat time from last week, I feel great going into the race this weekend.”
Horne currently holds fourth in the championship point standings and is looking to
solidify his spot in the Countdown to One over the next three races. This race is the 10th Pro Stock Motorcycle event of the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series.
“I’m also looking forward to ‘The Zoo’,” Horne added. “I’ve heard a lot about it from
different drivers and crew guys. I want to see what all the fuss is about.”
Horne to start in ninth spot
Brainerd, Saturday: Doug Horne drove his Horne Racing Buell Pro Stock Motorcycle into the ninth starting spot for Sunday's Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals during today's final qualifying session here at Brainerd International Raceway.
Horne's fourth qualifying run of 7.155 seconds at 187.65 miles per hour was his best of the weekend, but he was disappointed in the resulting starting position.
"Of course we'd like to be in the top of the field, but we're still playing with the tune up, trying to figure this out," said the 21-year-old Aberdeen, Md., native. "Things just haven't been right so far. The real challenge will be trying to get the tune up to match tomorrow's weather."
Rain interrupted qualifying several times today and the temperature fluctuated as well, conditions which cause stress and difficulties for crew chiefs and drivers.
"I'm still getting used to riding this S&S Buell, but we've been doing well all year," Horne said. "I'm confident will find the answer in time for Sunday's first round against Steve (Johnson, who qualified eighth on the basis of a 7.149-second, 185.69-mph run)."
Horne, who came into the weekend holding fourth place in the championship points race, put together qualifying runs Friday of 7.190 seconds at 187.65 mph and 7.215 seconds at 185.79 mph. Today's third round was a 7.169-second, 187.65-mph run down the quarter mile track.
Tomorrow's race is the 10th Pro Stock Motorcycle contest of the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing season and is one of three remaining before the Countdown to One playoffs begin in Charlotte, NC. Horne's fourth place in the standings puts him in a solid position for the Countdown which pits the top 10 in the standings in a five-race playoff.
Horne reaches quarterfinals
Brainerd, Sunday: Doug Horne's best run of the weekend was not quite good enough during today's second round of the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals as he lost to the eventual race winner Hector Arana here at Brainerd International Raceway.
The 21-year-old NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle rider's 7.041-second quarter mile at 188.73 miles per hour was bested by Arana's 6.957-second, 188.73-mph run.
"We went fast today, but it's tough when you qualify eight/nine and have to run the top qualifier in the second round," said the Aberdeen, Md., native. "Hector's doing a heck of a job with a very good bike.
"Anyone who says where you qualify is no big deal is crazy. It is a big deal as we found out today."
Horne got to the quarterfinals by defeating Steve Johnson in the first round. He piloted the Horne Racing S&S Buell to a 7.097-second run at 185.69 mph versus Johnson's 7.160-second, 184.72-mph quarter mile.
He qualified ninth on the basis of a 7.155-second, 184.93-mph run during Saturday's last session. His three other qualifying rounds were: 7.190 seconds at 187.65 mph, 7.190 seconds at 187.65 mph and 7.167 seconds at 181.03 mph.
According to Horne the weekend did result in something positive.
"We feel a lot more comfortable with the bike's setup; we know how we went fast," he explained. "We need to find a bit more power and then we'll be in great shape. We learned a lot about this Buell this weekend. We'll drop a new motor in the bike for next weekend and go after it."
