NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Chip Ellis has found a championship-caliber motorcycle at the perfect time and the end result has been one of the most enjoyable times he’s ever had racing in Pro Stock Motorcycle.

It also means Ellis has a bike capable of winning his first career world championship. Ellis won the first race of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship in Charlotte and currently sits in third place, just 17 points back of Andrew Hines, who is seeking his third straight world championship.

Heading to this weekend’s 32nd annual Dodge NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway, Ellis is still beaming from picking up his first win since 2008 on his PiranaZ/Pippin Motorsports Buell.

“I’ve never been as excited as I have been now,” Ellis said. “It gave me a lot of confidence and we had a really good race in St. Louis. We’ve been running good, the guys have given me a good bike to ride and it’s absolutely been a lot of fun. There’s a lot of good stuff going on right now at Junior Pippin Racing.”

Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Jack Beckman (Funny Car), Chris McGaha (Pro Stock) and Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year’s winners of the event that will be televised for the first time on FOX Sports 1 (FS1). The event is the third straight race weekend to open the Countdown and marks the halfway point of the NHRA’s six-race playoffs. Ellis has also had a strong source of motivation to fuel his championship run.

Team owner Junior Pippin was diagnosed with nasal cancer in 2015, undergoing numerous rounds of radiation and chemotherapy to remove the disease. But physicians recently found a cancerous spot on Pippin’s lung. He had surgery on Wednesday to have it removed and Ellis said the procedure went well. It has certainly been a trying time, but Pippin’s fight has been a huge source of inspiration for the entire team.

“There would be nothing more satisfying than to win another race for him,” Ellis said. “He’s just a great guy and a great team leader. We really have a lot of fun as a team. We obviously want to do well for him because of the struggles he’s had. When we do well that’s the best medicine he can have.”

Ellis and his team have provided plenty of thrilling moments as of late, knocking off Hines in the final round in Charlotte and advancing to the semifinals in St. Louis before a razor-thin loss to three-time world champion Angelle Sampey, who sits just two points back of Hines. Ellis said an improved focus has made a tremendous difference during eliminations and the Pro Stock Motorcycle veteran knows he will have to be in top form this weekend at Maple Grove Raceway. The notoriously fast track could also present opportunities for a significant milestone in the class.

“It’s always fast there, the track is good and the air is good,” Ellis said. “We may see somebody go 200 mph for the first time and hopefully that will be us. As racers we want to go as fast as we can and this weekend will give us a good opportunity.

“But we’re focused and trying to do everything right. It always seems on Sunday your mind wants to play games with you. If you can take that out of the game you seem much better off, at least for me. We’re just focused on making good runs.”

Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 1:15 and 4:15 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 30, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Oct. 1, at 11:15 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for noon on Sunday, Oct. 2.

To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call 610-856-9200. Tickets are also available online at www.maplegroveraceway.com. Kids 12 and under are free in general admission areas with a paid adult.

Catch coverage of this weekend’s Dodge NHRA Nationals:
Friday, Sept. 30, FS1 will televise one hour of live qualifying coverage at 6 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, Oct. 2, FS1 will televise one hour of qualifying coverage at 2 a.m. (ET).
Sunday, Oct. 2, FS1 will televise three hours of live finals coverage starting at 2 p.m. (ET).