Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
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NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Round 7: Gateway International Raceway on Geno Scali fiShes his war back into the STORY AND PHOTOS BY KEVIN McKENNA MADISON, IL, JUNE 26-29 here are eight races remaining in the 2003 NHRA POWERade Pro Stock Bike series, but it's already becoming obvious that the battle for the championship won't be decided anytime soon. The class that has traditionally been dominated by just one or two riders is no longer so predictable, as there are nearly a dozen riders capable of winning at any given time, and at least six are still in contention for the title. One of those riders is Geno Scali, who emerged as the new points leader following his second win of the season at the Sears Craftsman Nationals in Madison, Illinois. "When we put this team together, our goal was to win a couple of races and finish in the top five or maybe the top three, but now that we've come this far, I really want to win the championship," Scali said. "And, now I think we're capable of doing it. We just need to step up a little in the second half of the season. That's probably harder to do than it sounds, but I really think our team will be up for the challenge." Scali's victory was nearly overshadowed by the performance of the Screamin' Eagle/Vance [, Hines Harley-Davidson team and rider GT Tonglet. The factory-backed team debuted in 2002 and struggled throughout the season, failing to qualify for a single 16-bike field. The team expanded to two bikes this year with Andrew Hines joining Tonglet, and it has been greatly improved. Hines opened the season with a semifinal finish in Gainesville, and both riders are currently challenging for a spot among the top ten points earners. Previously only one Harley-Davidson had ever appeared in a final round in Pro Stock Bike, and that was back in 1980 when Ed Ryan lost to Terry Vance at the Gatornationals. Since then, only a handful of riders have even qualified aboard a V-twin powered bike. In Madison, Tonglet became the second Harley racer to appear in a final as he defeated Fred Collis, Steve Johnson and low qualifier Shawn Gann before ultimately losing to Scali. In one of the best races of the weekend, Tonglet left first with a nearly perfect reaction time and was leading for most of the race until T 50 JULY 23. 2003' eye I e 1Ab0ve) Geno Scali (near lane) reclaimed the points lead in the NHRA POWERade Pro Stock Bike series following his final round victory over GT Tonglet's Screamin' EagleNance & Hines Harley-Davidson (far lane) at the Sears Craftsman Nationals in Madison. (Left) Scali, who was winless in his career before the 2002 season, has now won three times, including two races this year. With seven of 15 rounds in the books, he leads reigning champ Angelle Savoie by 61 points. Scali nosed ahead just before the finish line for a 7.13 to 7.17 victory. "After all we've been through in the last year, just getting to a final was awesome," Tonglet said. "Of course I wanted to win, but Geno is running really strong right now. I did just about everything I could do, but it wasn't enough this time. I knew I had to make a perfect run in the final. At the 1000 foot mark, I still couldn't see him or hear him, but then he passed me. We're making progress with these Harley·Davidsons, and I'm sure we'll win some races before the year is over. We're getting closer and closer at every race." For good measure, Hines set the top speed of the event with a 191.97 neVIl's