Championship Drag Racing

Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals
Brainerd, Minn.
(August 7-10)

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Chris Rivas G2 Drag Specialties S&S Buell V-Twin

Brainerd, Sunday: Perplexing, bewildering or befuddling – any of those words would describe the feelings of  the G2 Motorsports Drag Specialties S&S Cycle V-Twin Pro Stock Motorcycle team after Sunday’s first round of the Lucas Oil Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway.

Chris Rivas qualified the bike in second place and produced four strong runs. His first-round opponent was No. 15 qualifier Wesley Wells.

That much is known.

What happened at the starting line when the green light flashed, however, isn’t clear. 
The numbers say Rivas left the line with a very uncharacteristic .278 reaction time when .000 is perfect.  Wells had a .137.  At the finish line, the upset went to Wells in 7.180 seconds at 188.49 while Rivas trailed with a 7.051 at 188.49.

Crew chief George Smith, chief mechanic Ken Johnson and the rest of the crew were looking for answers.

Is it possible Rivas was that late on his own?  Not likely.  Is it possible this team has another gremlin stalking them?  Maybe.

One this is certain: There won’t be a decision until the next race at Maple Grove Raceway near Reading, Pa.

“We don’t know what happened,” said Smith. That’s why he’s going to cull and digest all of the information over the next three days. 

“I am disappointed we couldn’t put on a little better show for Mike Carley of Carley Foundry,” added Smith.  “They specialize in aluminum castings and build a lot of parts for our S&S Pro Stock engines. This his Mike’s home track.”

Although the early defeat was disheartening, it did not detract from a very positive weekend.

With his No. 2 qualifying run, Rivas moved up to seventh place in the Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle that sends the top eight into an Aug. 30 showdown at Indianapolis that pays $15,000 to the winner. He has 1845 points with just the Reading race remaining to determine the contestants.

His four consistent qualifying runs earned the event Full Throttle Award and he maintained his hold on fourth place in POWERade points with 606.

Rivas, meanwhile, wasn’t very happy.

 “My biggest disappointment is knowing that the guys at the shop have been working so hard and I’d like to show them some results,” he said. “That’s why I take it hard personally, knowing that we have the motor and bike that were capable of winning the event.  It was the most consistent bike on the property and we won the Full Throttle Award for it.  That really goes to Ken Johnson and the guys back at the shop.

 “We have Jonathan Pope working with us on the team now and he is doing a fantastic job.”

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