Championship Drag Racing

ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals
Las Vegas
(Oct. 23-26)

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Karen Stoffer Royal Purple Suzuki Pro Stock Bike

Reports: Pre-race

Las Vegas, pre-race: The Jonco Motorsports Team and driver Karen Stoffer have enjoyed some strong performances this season coupled with mechanical menaces that have produced a recent series of first-round losses. The one thing left to do is shake-off the past and claim their first win.

What better time and place to pour it on than this season's homestretch to its finish and in Stoffer's home state of Nevada. Coming into the AC Delco NHRA Nationals at The Strip, Stoffer and team are looking at a top 10 finish in the POWERade Series. Running the entire series in NHRA Pro Stock Bike is no walk in the park, so carving a place in the POWERade Top 10 carries some meaning to this first-year contender.

Team owners Doug and Debbie Johnson have not yet recuperated from 11 weeks on the road operating their own big rig. Now, they load up for the 2,400-mile trek to Las Vegas from their home in southern Florida.

"I enjoy visiting Las Vegas and I am looking forward to staying a few days after the event before we move on to Pomona," Johnson said. "My dad brought me out here my first few visits when he would R&R from a tough year of farming. You are surrounded by excitement in Vegas and the evenings are pretty spectacular. It would certainly be special to see Karen capture her first win. It seems this is the season for first-time winners, and trust me, I'm ready."

If anyone is confident about this team garnering a win it is Stoffer.

"As we head into Las Vegas there is an abundance of energy and excitement surrounding my team," Stoffer said. "We have new sponsors, a new motor, fresh spares, a new look, and to top it off I'm returning to my home state to race that familiar Las Vegas Strip. All the cards are in place, now we just have to play them right, oh, and have a little Lady Luck on our side. This team is solely focused on finishing up the year on a high note. We are coming out west to take it. That's the plan, and we're sticking to it."